Teams A and B

Two teams combined this morning to run the 80 km from Gladstone to Wilmington, through gently rolling hills of autumnal vineyards and croplands.

It was a relaxing Saturday morning with no ceremonies and an unhurried schedule, each runner able to focus on his own rhythm, swaddled in gentle wisps of sleepy mist under a crisp clear sky ... and the steadfast company of the Torch.

Several times throughout the day people stopped to find out what we were all about and offer their heartfelt support. Kate Blackmore gave us a lot of joy as we sang her the World-Harmony-Run song on the side of the road and had a few good laughs and shared stories. It's nice to know we have a friend if we ever find our way back to the Flinders Ranges.

Councillor Gary Lucas welcomed us all to Quorn on behalf of the Flinders Ranges Council, and with his wife Bronwyn hosted a splendid vegetarian luncheon at his Quorn Caravan Park.

After lunch, Gary's hospitality continued, inviting us for a fascinating walk around his property, acting as a tour guide and naturalist/geo-history instructor.

Also present for the function was Bernadette Zanet of the Pichi Richi Railway, who offered our team a journey on this famous steam train for later in the afternoon.

The township of Quorn was abuzz today, the pubs overflowing and the streets crowded. But after about 1 o'clock the streets emptied just as completely and the pubs fell silent ... for today of all days happened to be the 127th running of the Quorn Cup, hosted by the Quorn Jockey Club Inc.

Annual race meetings are a feature of most respectable country towns in Australia, and it was quite by coincidence that our international team was scheduled to be in Quorn today, and could experience this special flavour of Australian culture first-hand. The pretty race track, nestled in the valley between the ancient Flinders Ranges, is used only once a year. Like most tracks in drought-affected country areas these days, races are held on a dirt surface.

Our team was met by Craig Jarrett of the Quorn Jockey Club, who invited our runners to stage our own 'run-past' down the last 400 metres of the finishing straight. We were given the race announcer's microphone to speak about the World Harmony Run and introduce each of our international team members present.

The crowd were rousing in their reception as the team streamed past the finishing post. Phil Egel of Finishline Image Adelaide, was on hand to capture the team's 'photo finish'.

Rowan Ramsey, Member of Parliament for the Federal seat of Grey, which encompasses 90% of the State of South Australia, was at the races today along with 'everyone who is anyone' from the region.

Mr Ramsey had been hoping to meet with us tomorrow in Whyalla, but other engagements prevented his attendance there so he was particularly happy to hold the torch today.

Our photographer from Canada, Prabhakar Street, was invited into the timer's box to photograph the finish of the next race, the 3rd on the program.

This race produced a classic photo finish, resulting in a dead-heat for 2nd and 3rd – here the judges are studying the actual photo to determine the final outcome, with the noses of both horses literally 'on the line'. In this race Claudia Lions, riding 'Idelago', recorded her first win in only her second week of racing!

After the race, Jenny Reschki, one of the horse stewards, eagerly carried the World Harmony Run torch on 'A Charming Ruler' out onto the track for photos with the team.

Next was the feature event, the prestigious Quorn Cup, one of the State's oldest and most venerable races.

Our team member Colm Magee, who grew up amongst horses on the farm in Ireland, reckoned he spotted a good thing in the stables and placed a small wager on his fancy, 'Star of Suresh', wearing number 5. Sure enough, 'Star of Suresh' reeled in the leader in the final stride to claim a sweet victory on the line. Colm's joy at having his photo taken with the day's big winner far eclipsed his (undisclosed) monetary gains.

After the excitement of the Quorn Cup, we returned to the Railway Station to await the departure of the famed Pichi Richi Railway.

Built in the 1870s, this classic journey from the Flinders Ranges to the coast features deep rock cuttings, superb stone wall embankments and spectacular iron bridges.

Today the old steam train is maintained and operated entirely by dedicated volunteers, who give of their time and skills purely for the love of the train and the joy it gives to so many.

Our gracious hostess Bernadette Zanet was joined by her children Jack and Clare to see us on our way.

Our day's lucky winner, Colm scored a ride with the World Harmony Run Torch in the train's engine room, an experience he will never forget!

As we journeyed to Port Augusta through rugged and beautiful countryside, an unforgettable day slowly gave way to a serene and contented night.

- Prachar Stegemann (Australia)

Team C

We began running from Wilmington with a total of 80 km to cover today. Not long into our first run this morning we saw hundreds of good old Aussie cockatoos!

They blanketed the ground like a sheet of snow and circled over us, flying and squawking in their unique manner – quite a display!

Not long after we were visited by another local,  also awake early and full of dynamism (minus the squawks!). Local runner Karen usually takes a side track for her 10 km runs, which she does 3 times a week. But today, for some reason, she took the main road to Quorn where she came across our team member Elke Lindner and  began running with her for an enjoyable 5 km.

Karen first held the torch for a photo and then ran with it quite confidently while chatting with Elke about the ultra-races that the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team organises. She showed tremendous interest and couldn’t wait to check out the World Harmony Run website,  repeating the address over and over like a mantra to remember it whilst running. Thanks for joining us Karen and for becoming a runner for World Harmony!

“The train is a-coming…” Pretty soon we were running in some stunning landscape through the Pichi Richi region of the Flinders Ranges.

We pulled the van over just after a bridge and within a minute found lots of other cars were pulling over and people were getting out with cameras and video cameras. A man parked across the road from us saw our puzzled faces and called out excitedly, explaining the commotion, “The train is coming!” We looked up to see the train tracks threading through the hills towards this very bridge and soon enough, along came the Pichi Richi steam train. We joined everyone else in snapping a few pics and waved to the passengers in the open-windowed carriages on the same train that members of our Teams A and B would ride later in the afternoon.

What gorgeous countryside to be travelling through, either by this steam train or on foot as we were. While running my 7 km stint into Port Augusta, I found many happy drivers passing in the other direction heading into Quorn (probably for the Quorn Cup!) and 90% of the drivers and passengers waved cheerily and beeped hello. It was most encouraging when I was feeling a little weary. Coupling this enthusiasm from the town’s passers-by with the panoramic scenery of pastures, rocky hills, water at the port and wildlife visitors, I felt immense gratitude to be here as part of this glorious adventure. A beautiful day’s run ended when our 80 km leg brought us to Port Augusta and the fabulous, recently upgraded Wadlata Outback Centre.

This was our one community visit for the day and it was fantastic. All our international runners (and myself) learnt so much about our beautiful country here. There was really so much to see…

Thanks to staff members Di and Sam who accepted our Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the Wadlata Outback Centre.

They held the torch, listened attentively to our presentation about the World Harmony Run, gave us a map and directions to our accommodation, answered our questions and gave us all free tours through the Centre. We posed here at the entrance of the centre in the jaws of the Megalania – a fierce giant lizard of the past!

As we entered beyond these jaws we found ourselves in a dark forest of plantlife and on a winding path into the areas beyond...

Out in the gift shop Angela got friendly with Eastern Australia’s deadly Funnel Web Spider…

We stayed an hour and a half since our day’s running was over, and could have easily spent longer there, quite happily. We really loved sitting in many different theatrettes to see short documentaries about how the formation of Australia occurred with the separation of the land’s structure;

Aboriginal Dreamtime Stories told on screen; and Bush Tucker (the Germans were surprised to see the Witchetty Grubs being devoured!)

A big theatre with tri-split screens showed us an inspiring insight into the Outback and Flinders Ranges; a unique animal story told to us in a theatrette with life-like Aussie animals perched by the screen; as well as sitting and watching many short videos. We loved playing with the interactive displays of the past. Friederieke got some pedal-power happening – as she pedalled faster the radio played so we could hear an over-the-air school lesson on radio. We also tried typing out Morse code and listened to the Royal Flying Doctors on air.

We really had a great visit here and were grateful to come to such a wonderful reception for our international team on the Saturday of a long weekend. Thanks also to Cristy Heard of the Port Augusta City Council who put the World Harmony Run’s visit to Port Augusta in the Council’s printed and electronic publication of Events sent to over 200 recipients, and advertised our arrival here for the past week on their local TV station. If it weren't for this holiday weekend, we would have loved to visit with your Council and Mayor. We are most grateful for your support in Port Augusta.

– Kylie Williams (Australia)

Special thanks to the owners of Port Pirie Beach Caravan Park, who graciously accommodated all of our teams last night.

– Prabhakar Street (Canada)

Team Members:
Prabhakar Street (Canada), Edi Serban (Romania ), Standa Zubaty (Czech Republic), Sandro Zincarini (Italy), Runar Gigja (Iceland), Marichi Clarke (Australia), Misha Kulagin (Russia), Colm Magee (Ireland), Dima Lehonkov (Ukraine), Veeraja Uppal (Australia), Prachar Stegemann (Australia), Nataliya Lehonkova (Ukraine), Elke Lindner (Germany), Angela Muhs (Germany), Friederike Makowka (Switzerland), Kylie Williams (Australia)

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