Harmony runners in a world of their own
Friendship team take in Chester en route
RUNNERS taking part in the World Harmony Run visited Chester as they spread their message of international friendship.
The global relay aims to improve understanding between different nations, with runners passing through 70 countries carrying a flaming torch as a symbol of harmony.
The run started in Lisbon the Portuguese capital on March 2 and reached Great Britain on March 23.
En route the runners are visiting schools, community groups and local and national government organisations to talk about "Life on the run", to share their inspiration and enthusiasm for the goal of world harmony and to create goodwill among peoples and nations.
In Europe, the torch is being carried through 45 countries covering a distance of 24,000 kilometres. The culmination of the European leg will take place in Budapest, Hungry on October 28. Globally, the runners will take in 70 countries.
The World Harmony Run was founded by Indian philosopher and athlete Sri Chinmoy, 73, and is organised by the Sri Chinmoy marathon team, the largest ultra-distance running organisation in the world.
Medallist
It is supported by top athletes, including American Carl Lewis, a nine times Olympic gold medallist.
The international runners were greeted outside Chester Town Hall by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Terry Ralph, before moving on to Wrexham where they met with the Mayor and Mayoress, David and Jackie Rogers. Later they made their way to a reception at Llangollen Town Hall on the last leg of the day.
Captions:
Above: International runners were greeted outside Chester Town Hall by Lord Mayor Cllr Terry Ralph before moving onto Wrexham.
Left: Runners preparing to leave Chester on route to Wrexham and the next stop of the journey.
Pictures: Mandy Jones
Published in Chester Evening Leader, Friday, April 1 2005