The mens team went out running early on this beautiful morning.
You never know who you might meet along the road...Peace lovers come in all shapes, and sizes and forms!
Our main Ceremony of the day was brunch at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland.
Our dear friend Giovanna Ricci, better known as Jo Jo, has been hosting the Peace Run Team, in collaboration with the Italian Heritage Center, since 1987! It is an absolute privillege for us to be so connected with Jo Jo, and we are all enormously grateful for her deeply heart felt oneness and support of the Peace Run.
Also waiting to greet the team were Italian Heritage Society President, Frank Reali, his wife Cammy, and society members, John and Catherine.
This year we were excited to have Sandro, a real life authentic Italian, on our team!
Sandro even got to speak on behalf of the team for this ceremony.
Chushini Polly Goodyear has coordinated this event and many others in Maine for many years, and we are very grateful to her.
Singing the Peace Run and World Harmony Run Songs..
Everyone joined in!
Certificates of appreciation..
The Mayor of Portland, Michael Brennan, was not able to attend, but he asked Frank Reali to represent hin in reading out a Proclaimation for Peace and Friendship which has been signed by Mayors all around Canada and the United States. It also proclaimed today Peace Run Day in Maine.
Also present at the Ceremony were Jo Jo's sister, Louise Delaney, and her husband, Joe. Not pictured but also present was another delightful sister of Jo Jo, Marie, who is a Sister of Mercy.
Next it was time for the brunch!
A big thank you to the cooks and servers!!
There was enough food for at least 50 runners! Everything was freshly prepared and delicious!
Making friends over brunch.
Kanyaka from Bali is a wonderful addition to our extremely International team. Presently comprised of 12 members, we represent 11 different countries, and we are all friends!
Just in case we had not already eaten enough for twice the amount of runners, Louise presented us with a gift wrapped basket of homemade desserts, thank you so much!!
Every year since the Peace Run first began, Jo Jo has had every member of the team sign a t-shirt for her. She has also collected books, pictures, brochures and pretty much anything she can lay her hands on that is connected with the Peace Run.
Jo Jo is tremendously proud of her collection of memorabillia, and it is extremely moving to see her depth of love for Peace and Humanity expressed in such a touching way.
Thank you Jo Jo! We already cannot wait for our next visit!!
Kanyaka was delighted to be joined by Kate Ward from Boston for a two-mile jog near Ogunquit in Maine. Kate said the run "made my day". Thank you Kate, we hope you can run with us again sometime!
Finally it was time for the womens team to hit the road, starting with our super inspiring Nepalese representative, Sweta!
It seems highly unlikely that you could ever catch Sweta in a bad mood, she is always full of joy and enthusiasm.
Ah, the Atlantic Ocean!! It has been over 3 months since we last met..
Nepal is a land-locked country, so running beside the ocean is extra special for Sweta.
Aparanji from Brazil was also delighted to be at the ocean.
We met an endless supply of new friends along our spectacular ocean-front route!
This couple ware half way through a 13 mile run. They are training for their first ever marathon, and Harita was happy to have their enthusiastic company for the final stretch of her run for the day
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First be a member
Of the inner world.
Then become an adventurer
Of the outer world.
-Sri Chinmoy
