Welcome to the 2015 edition of the Peace Run in Portugal! This time we will explore the North of the country. We are looking forward to discover the beauty of the mountains and the remote natural resorts...
Our journey startet at the primary school "Bom Jesus" in Matosinhos near Porto. We had to cancel the run from the cityhall to the school with the kids due to heavy rain. Nevertheless we were enthusiastically welcomed in the primary school.
Also many mothers of the children attended the meeting as it was Mother's Day celebration.
...curious faces...
Children and mothers alike passed the torch from hand to hand...
Francisco, the city representative of Matosinhos...
Thank you "Bom Jesus" for the nice welcome!
...a short Run...
...and refreshments...
...as we left the school rain was pouring down...
..we reached the "Escola EB 2,3 Cego de Maio" in Póvoa de Varzim. For a great start we were treated for a most welcome lunch. Along came a nice gift: a hand-painted tile by the students...
...our presentation in the gym hall...
...the city representative of Póvoa de Varzim welcomed the team...
...local athletes...
...and the kids passed the torch...
...artistic performances...
Thank you Póvoa de Varzim for the enthusiastic welcome!
...pigeons...
..taking off...
...well, not all...
...we ran around the school and continued our route...
...for a while even the sun came out...
Arrival at the Flávio Gonçalves School...
...we enjoyed the choreografic performances...
The cooks also came to watch...
Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" was nicely performed...
On your mark, get set...
...go...
...Gordana says goodbye to her new friends...
Our friend Fatima Silva, a great Portuguese runner and olympic athlete, lead the Run to next school...
In the school of Aver-o-Mar we got some extra energy...
...and extra excitement with the enthusiastic kids...
...singing for peace...
...the wind could not blow out the torch...
Mr. Afonso de Oliveira, Deputy at the assembly of the Portuguese Republic, was also present and held the torch.
...and lead the kids to a short run around the school...
All the runners left an autograph in the paintings the kids had prepared for us...
...an excellent accordionist! Thank you for the joyfull melodies...
Thank You Aver-o-Mar, you gave us a final boost for the few km left until Esposende...
