“Each good heart champions the cause of Peace” - Sri Chinmoy, founder of The Peace Run
An international relay started in 1987 will arrive in Tauranga next week involving local runners, community groups and school children.
The Peace Run is the longest, largest grassroots relay for Peace in history and a six continent effort to promote international friendship, cultural understanding and world peace.
The Peace Runwas launched in April 2014 in New York and by year's end will have been to over 80 countries, with the symbolic torch passing through literally millions of hands.
In New Zealand a core team of relay runners representing seven nations will visit schools in towns and cities from Auckland to Taupo and New Zealanders from all walks of life will join the Peace Run to support its simple purpose.
It will cover 3500 kilometres of New Zealand's roads and highways and about 60,000 school children nationwide along with athletes, sports personalities, civic and political leaders are expected to participate.
This is the 13th edition of the Peace Run
Runners will visit schools, community groups, running clubs and local organizations to celebrate the goal of Peace as well as recognizing harmony builders with a unique award called 'The Torch-Bearer Award'.
The special award will honour local people who in various ways and walks of life have helped to foster harmony and peace.
In New Zealand past Peace Run patrons have included All Black coach Graham Henry, Allison Roe, Precious McKenzie, John Walker, Rod Dixon, the late Arthur Lydiard and Ian Ferguson.
They join a long list of national and world leaders including Mikhail Gorbachev, Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa as well as Carl Lewis, Jon Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney and Arnold Schwarzenegger who have supported the event over the past 20 years.
In schools the Peace Run team works together with teachers to promote harmonious living between people of different cultures, nationalities and beliefs through school presentations and programs.
This event offers everyone an opportunity to take a small step for global understanding and to feel part of a larger world family. We are all torch bearers for harmony in our daily lives - the run brings this understanding to life
People from all faiths and nationalities have been drawn to participate in this event, which was founded by Sri Chinmoy in 1987.
Author, musician, humanitarian and former athlete, Sri Chinmoy encouraged sport as a powerful instrument in promoting global harmony and his international marathon team organizes over 600 athletic events and multi-day races annually.
