Team A1

Darling Harbour was bathed in brilliant sunshine as the preparations for the Buddha's birthday celebrations were finalised. Devotees carefully and precisely ensured everything was beautiful arranged and ready for the day's joyous festivities.

The World Harmony Run team was invited to join in the celebration, and in fact the day's celebrations were begun when the arrival of the torch was announced with great fanfare.

The official welcome was made by Reverend Miao You, who received and held the torch during her welcome speech. She encouraged the runners in their relay and in reiterating the very noble ideals espoused by all Buddhists, stressed the fundamental importance of being good Australian citizens and living in harmony.

The runners were especially encouraged by her welcoming remarks and the receptivity of the crowd to the idea of a run to promote harmony. It felt like being among kindred spirits.

– Aryavan Lanham (Australia)

 

 

Team A

 

Imagine our run this morning. Imagine running out of the suburbs of Sydney, leaving behind mass civilisation and entering into the beauty and peace of the famed Royal National Park.

The roads become much quieter. Buildings are replaced by forest and footpaths are replaced by amber soil and stones.

Then we leave the road completely and take off on an amazing trail 10km long, right through the national park.

It is like entering a prehistoric scene  - as if a dinosaur could appear at any moment. We run surrounded by amazing, sub-tropical vegetation and awesome landscape. Boulders, over a million years old hang over us and below us a stream makes its way peacefully. All around, the trees soar high into the air and only spread their branches where maximum sunlight is guaranteed.

We join the road once more and soon there is a steep uphill climb meandering to and fro amidst the forest. Finally at the summit a blue opening appears. A great smile appears for what it signifies... a beautiful coastline. The sky is so blue, the sea so vast, the cliffs are stunning, the beaches are golden. This was our morning run.

Then it was time for our meeting at the Nan Tien Temple at Berkeley, just south of Wollongong – the largest Buddhist Temple in the Southern Hemisphere.

We received a very warm welcome into this place of peace and serenity.

We entered into the main temple which is beautifully decorated with no less than ten thousand Buddha statues.

Reverend Miao Xao began the ceremony with words of wisdom and a lovely story of harmony. We were delighted to offer the Torch-Bearer Award, which Rev. Miao Xoa took on behalf of the temple...

...for being a place that truly upholds peace and harmony for all – no matter what religion, race or political view, all are welcome to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the temple.

Members of the public who had gathered for the ceremony were invited for a photograph and then given the opportunity to hold the torch and make a wish for peace.

The Monks of the monastery were so kind. Reverend Miao Ru gave us a tour of the beautiful surroundings, which include ornamental gardens and a large hanging bell that is struck for gratitude.

We were even treated to a delicious lunch.

And then it was back to the road but we 'stumbled upon' an amazing beach, so with time to spare we took the opportunity to take a refreshing dip. And after 15km more our day of running was done.

Thanks so much to the Sydney Central YHA for hosting us so graciously for our whole stay in the city, much much gratitude.

– Colm Magee (Ireland)

 

 

 

Team B

 

We would like to officially welcome (far left) from New Zealand to the team – having arrived only yesterday evening.

Our women's team (Team B for the day) began their journey this morning at scenic Wollongong, a gorgeous coastal city accessible from Sydney via steeply winding roads leading down through lushly forested hills. We starting our run at Bulli Point, and enjoyed eleven kilometres of waterfront running, following the curve of the coastline on a public bikeway and soaking up the incredible energy of the seaside air. The locals were at their leisure on this picture-perfect Saturday morning, keen to be friendly to tourists, and the runners were more than happy to receive their sincere wishes for our success.

Our route took us past Australia's Industry World (the BHP Steel Works!) where we stopped to take photos of team members with the steel works in the background. Admittedly not the day's most attractive site (depending on who looks at it), but significance and attractiveness do not always go hand-in-hand, and this location is one of undoubted significance to Australian industry.

We finished the day with a beautiful, intimate little ceremony at Windang Bridge park, where we were greeted most warmly by the Mayor, David Hamilton, his assistant, and Sheryl Davis, Indigenous elder of the Wodi Wodi people, who are the traditional custodians of Illawarra. We were touched by their warm and easy welcome, and heartily reciprocate their expressions of harmony, friendship and goodwill. Thanks to Sheryl's family and friends who were also there to lend their support. Day's mileage: 32.6km. Go girls!

– Julie Anderson (Australia)

 

T

Team C

 

Kiama, just south of Wollongong, is an exquisite country town, comparable to Byron Bay or Noosa for sheer beauty.

The five-man team began the morning by running down the main street, and handing the Torch to the Mayor, Sandra McCarthy.

Sandra welcomed us to her town, and showed a particular interest in our theme song. We took this as our cue to sing it, giving a private rendition for her husband and herself. While many Mayors have enjoyed the song, she was one of the few who actually joined in. (Happily, she could carry the tune, sight-reading with aplomb.)

While Kiama has much to recommend it (including some surf beaches and nature reserves), it is perhaps most well-known for the Blowhole, an unusual rock formation on the beach, that allows the ocean surf to spout high in the air every few minutes in a loud geyser of water.

As the water was calm (reflecting the perfect weather that surrounded us), the airborne explosions of water were not at their most spectacular. Nonetheless, we had enough impressive blasts of sound and vision to keep us watching the show.

We couldn't stay forever, of course, as we were actually meant to be running today.

Rest assured, we did exactly that, moving inland through the town of Jamberoo, and continuing uphill through the winding, steep roads of the Jamberoo Pass. Dima, our star runner from Ukraine, got the best of the Great Dividing Range with a steep continuous climb of 7kms! The lush, green environs were magnificent, but signified that we had entered another, very different region of Australia.

As we stopped just outside Robertson for a few moments, cooling our heels (literally) and throwing around a frisbee, it became apparent that – despite all our running – it was now slightly chillier, after the warm coastal climate of the past two weeks. Away from the coast, the international runners now appreciate why they were advised to bring a set of warm clothes.

We moved on to one of the natural wonders of the area: the grand Fitzroy Falls. Outside, we met some visitors from New Zealand who were very surprised to see us. They happened to be walking past just in time to see our opening ceremony at the Brisbane Botanical Gardens, and now they had a chance to stop and talk to us – and of course, hold the Torch.

Fitzroy Falls flows down a deep canyon that reminded Edi (one of the more well-travelled World Harmony Runners) of America's renowned Grand Canyon, with considerably more vegetation. Where the Grand Canyon is a bare, empty crevasse, Fitzroy Falls is surrounded by forests of trees. But amidst this scenic splendour, the waterfall is easily the highlight, cascading 81 metres down a formidable cliff and ending in a long stream, flowing through the rainforest below. It might be dwarfed by the likes of the Victoria and Niagara Falls, but it is still a tremendous sight.

After walking through the surrounding forest, we visited the Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre, for some drinks and, in some cases, a (very) late lunch. We chatted with the manager, Graham, who was very inspired by the message of the World Harmony Run. To show his support, he gave us our drinks and lunches for free, refusing to accept our payment. After the grandeur of Fitzroy Falls, the adjoining kiosk providing some simpler and more personal joy: great food, great coffee and best of all, great generosity.

– Noivedya Juddery (Australia)

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Team Members:
Prabhakar Street (Canada), Edi Serban (Romania), Standa Zubaty (Czech Republic), Sandro Zincarini (Italy), Runar Gigja (Iceland), Misha Kulagin (Russia), Dima Lehonkov (Ukraine), Colm Magee (Ireland), Angela Muhs (Germany), Anubha Baird (Australia), Nataliya Lehonkova (Ukraine), (New Zealand), Julie Anderson (Australia), Bernice Matthews (Australia), Nigel Webber (Australia), Rathin Boulton (Australia), Noivedya Juddery (Australia), Amalendu Edelsten (Australia)

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Gallery: See more images!

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