Team A

In the outback, we meet many kind people.

We started today with a surprise visit from someone who stayed at the same accommodation as us in Eucla when we were there 2 days ago. One of our team members left something important in the room, and this morning whilst our van was parked, Henry (from New Zealand) parked in front of us and jumped out with the special package for Friederike. She was most grateful and surprised. First she thought it was Swiss chocolate and then realised it was her lost and treasured possession, so was even happier! Thanks Henry.

Another caravan stopped opposite us soon after and we jumped out with some brochures. Elke found herself helping this traveller to close his caravan window that kept blowing open from the big trucks passing!

Meanwhile I was running and a motorcyclist pulled over, jumped off his bike and started photographing me running with the Torch. He held the Torch and made a special wish, saying repeatedly: “God bless you love, God bless you!”

As I was running I kept feeling I could hear water flowing like a river, and realised it was the continual sound of wind rustling through the gum leaves which lined the road.

It’s wonderful getting to know our international friends on the team as we end up learning snippets of foreign languages too. Friederike (a German who lives in French-speaking Switzerland) taught me how to say a sentiment I was feeling out here in nature: “I am a child of the Universe,” so today when I was going through a challenging run, I repeated this mantra which gave me much joy…

At the Caiguna Service Station we met Niamh who is from Ireland. Niamh beamed as we talked about the World Harmony Run and she held the Torch with the owner and other workers. Niamh announced, “We’re about to head off to Perth in two days and then continue driving all the way round the top end. I’m sure we will pass you at least once more, so we will pull over and meet you on the road.”

The owner came out and asked “WHY are you running?” When we explained we are running to spread harmony, happiness and peace, he immediately smiled and said, “PEACE – Great! It’s working!”

The owner kindly filled up both our large water containers and explained that it’s bore water which has gone through a process to make it practically as pure as bottled water. We are SO grateful for your hospitality of filling both big containers and even carrying them into our van. You really made our day!

Today’s big running day was soon ending. Our 83 km turned into 90 km and two of our runners needed a light day, leaving some big mileage to cover between three. We finished our run and began the 160 km drive to the next town, but soon stopped the car again for a gorgeous double rainbow stretching across the land. We felt like we had made real progress today and drove on smiling. ☺

– Kylie Williams (Australia)

Team B

Nature in the Nullarbor gave us a beautiful display today, from a glowing sunrise to a golden sunset even as our road went perfectly straight throughout the whole running schedule.

I could see the van parked waiting on the side of the road for me to finish my run 5 km away, which of course made it seem longer than usual.

Every few minutes seemed to bring a new surprise and delightful view...

By midday the sky started to change, clouding over and darkening in the distance: would it really rain here in this famously barren land?

The ensuing shower seemed to refresh everything around us...

And after a happy day's running we headed off to our night's resting place where we were met by a sweet and gregarious young kangaroo...

who seemed more than happy to pose with the Torch...

The sun set on us today golden and clear, perhaps reflecting our own happiness and serenity.

– Prabhakar Street (Canada)

Team C

After a hearty breakfast we joined the A1 highway once more to continue our journey across the Nullarbor. The sky was lightly overcast with a layer of low-lying cloud.

Before commencing our running we came across the Caiguna blowhole. The blowholes on the Nullarbor have been formed by weathering through to underground cavities in the limestone. This particular blowhole is connected to a rather small cave of approximately 1.5 m clearance.

Apparently all caves breathe to some extent. A cave blows out when the air pressure falls and breathes in when the air pressure rises. Today the Caiguna blowhole was breathing out very gently. Some of these caves on the Nullarbor have wind movement up to 72 km/hour!

We began our day of running on the longest straight stretch of road in Australia. This road goes in a perfectly straight line for an astonishing 146.6 km. We decided to let Veeraja Uppal, our Australian representative, run this stretch of road…!

This never-ending straight line pierced its way through the countryside as far the eye could see. It was quite warm and slightly humid. Heavy clouds in the distance soon approached and with them came a heavy downfall. Shapathanal Daly from New Zealand and Edi Serban from Romania were the lucky or unlucky ones (depending on which one you ask) to receive a thorough drenching.

The showers made way for some blue sky and sunshine. The landscape looked radiant after the refreshing soaking. Eventually we spotted a small sign indicating a bend and we had finally reached the end of the 146.6 km l-o-o-o-o-n-g stretch.

Now basking in mild sunshine it was very pleasant to run. The wind blew gently from the north and the roads began to dry. The final twenty kilometres flew by ... to ... the end (for today!)

– Colm Magee (Ireland)

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

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.

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