Team A

Running the 63 km from Yanchep National Park to Gingin through varied land cultivations including olive and fig groves, pine plantations, a wind farm, sheep and cattle, and even a mango plantation, provided a good opportunity to stretch out after 4 days of little or no running in and around Perth.

Along the way we met Colin who happened to be driving by as we passed his property which he said he enjoys to visit because of the peacefulness there.

Gingin Primary School were complemented by High School students for a well-choreographed and memorable reception. Considerable thought and preparation had clearly preceded this event, which commenced with the school band playing the National Anthem.

Mrs Robeson, the enthusiastic music teacher, then led an extraordinary grouping of 12 guitarists from the Primary School in a rendition of Try a Little Kindness, with students singing along; followed by another song, Whole World in our Hands, this time accompanied by the Secondary School saxophone ensemble.

A selection of students next read their own poems – on Harmony, and on what Australia means to them.

Two World Harmony Run Torch-Bearer Awards were presented: to Albert Grant (for courage and commitment) and Matthew Carlile (for leadership).

Each of the 13 Primary classes had nominated 2 students to take part in a mini World Harmony Run relay with the Torch around the school oval. Watched and cheered by the entire school population of students and staff, the relay was a joyful occasion.

The one hour we spent at Gingin school passed in a flash. Our running and ceremonies over for the day, we took the opportunity to visit one of the most extraordinary landscapes in this super-extraordinary continent.

It is thought The Pinnacles, in Nambung National Park, were created millions of years ago as seashells were broken down into sand and then eroded by water and wind.

These limestone sentinels – ranging from delicate miniatures of a few centimetres to impressive towers several metres high – give the impression of ancient living beings, each possessed of its own unique character, beauty and presence.

With scarcely any vegetation, the area is its own desert amongst the dunes – silent, mysterious, mystifying and thrilling.

– Prachar Stegemann (Australia)

Team B

To start the day,  Abbey held the Torch. Abbey and her mother Kasia had been generous hosts over the weekend for half of the girls' team.

One of the jobs to prepare for the day is cleaning the torches.

Every day a schedule is made up for each team of runners. Elke Lindner from Germany is the team leader for today and keeps the driver and rest of the team informed about the route we will run and any meetings.

The new girls' team are travelling together between Perth and Darwin over the next 4 weeks. We started with a strong day of running covering 76 km, finishing with smiles of satisfaction all around.

– Nishima Knowsley (New Zealand)

Team C

Today we left the bright city lights of Perth and headed due north into the hinterland of Western Australia. With no formal engagements for the day, our sole task was to complete the final 104 km from Cataby to Jurien Bay, our evening rest point.

Along the way we were able to appreciate and admire the changing exotic vegetation as we now moved gradually towards a warmer clime.

The final 40 km was possibly the most enjoyable as we moved away from the busy Brand Highway onto quieter back roads with gentle undulating hills.

And as the shadows of the day gradually lengthened towards the horizon we reached the waters of the Indian Ocean.

Upon our arrival at Jurien Bay we were greeted by Jan Walsh who, along with her husband, runs the Jurien Bay Caravan Park, and have very generously accommodated our entire team for the night. Last year they both moved here from Auckland, New Zealand, for a change of lifestyle, and they could not have selected a more delightful spot.

– Veeraja Uppal (Australia)

Team Members:
Prabuddha Nicol (Australia), Standa Zubaty (Czech Republic), Runar Gigja (Iceland), Prachar Stegemann (Australia), Edi Serban (Romania), Misha Kulagin (Russia), Prabhakar Street (Canada), Veeraja Uppal (Australia), Dima Lehonkov (Ukraine), Sandro Zincarini (Italy), Miro Pospisek (Czech Republic), Angela Muhs (Germany), Nataliya Lehonkova (Ukraine), Elke Lindner (Germany), Iva Nemcova (Czech Republic), Nishima Knowsley (New Zealand)

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

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