Team A

Although we were on the road just after 8 am the temperature was already rising rapidly. Within 1 km we crossed over the famous Fitzroy River and then continued in leapfrog fashion a further 90 km.

After concluding our running, the team stopped off at the Mimbi Caves, nestled off the main highway 95 km east of Fitzroy Crossing.

The caves form an extensive labyrinth of tunnels and chambers that extend many miles through the limestone.

Up until the 1940s the caves were inhabited by the local aboriginal people but now have become a tourist attraction.

Ronnie Jimbidie whose nickname is 'Bush Tucker Man' took the team on a special guided tour of the site, leading us through some of the caves and explaining some of the medicinal properties found in the native plants. Ronnie was presented with a Torch-Bearer Award.

– Veeraja Uppal (Australia)

Team B

Geoff Davis has been coaching football in Fitzroy Crossing for the past 15 years. Having married into the community, he has an intimate awareness of the challenges facing both blacks and whites, and strives always to feel and act from the heart in his service. We were grateful for the opportunity to present Geoff with the World Harmony Run Torch-Bearer Award when he appeared for his early morning walk at the Sport & Recreation Centre where we were staying.

While yesterday we felt at times we could have been in the African savannah, today we jumped continents and found ourselves in what could have been a scene from the Wild West. Waiting on Ngumban Cliffs for our runner to come by, we almost expected to see armed bandits emerge to hold up the next train or stagecoach.

After the excitement of these few hills, we were swallowed once more by the hot, flat, vast savannah.

Our team captain for the day, Sandro Zincarini from Italy, took charge when he was most needed ...

Today was a day when one most appreciates the team. Running 104 km in this dry heat is tough but rewarding work, yet it is made delightful through the camaraderie, mutual encouragement, good humour, inspiration and shared joy of one's team mates.

Profile...

Standa Zubaty from the Czech Republic is officially our chief chef. But he is much more than that – he is the backbone of the team. Standa is responsible for keeping track of our on-road finances; for co-ordinating all the shopping for food and supplies and preparing menus for 3 meals a day for the entire team; for keeping the RV (our motor home, kitchen and storage vehicle) stocked and tidy ... AND he is our chief videographer.

It's surprising Standa finds any time to run. Yet having run several multi-day races as well as joining the team for the World Harmony Run in both USA and Europe, Standa has a wealth of experience running in all conditions. He knows how to pace himself and adapt to varying conditions. Standa is a stoic rock of our team, totally committed to the wellbeing and interests of his team mates. Yet it is his mischievous, quirky Czech humour which most endears him to all. His inimitable smile and whimsical crackling laugh go straight to the heart.

– Prachar Stegemann (Australia)

Team C

Great start to the day.

This morning we visited Geikie Gorge.

The Geikie Gorge boat operators surprised us, when we went to purchase our tickets, by giving our team complimentary boat rides in support of the World Harmony Run. A big thank you to Alan and his ‘team’.

Majestic cliffs opened up above us: gigantic, powerful and protective.

As we glided into the deep jade water, the bow of the boat cut the mirror-like surface in half and joyful waves danced beside us in the pure morning sun.

Freshwater crocodiles were soaking up the sun and small agile birds chased each other above our heads and between the foliage.

There was a spectacular atmosphere and an indescribable sound of silence between the soaring high cliffs. It felt as if your ears were drawn to the walls of the cliffs. Is it the sound of a vacuum, or the beginning of an echo? ... magic!

The reflections of the rock face in the green river were breathtaking. Our photographer Nishima Knowsley was really drawn into it as you can see.

All too soon the experience was over ... and we still had 98 km to run.

Jeanette and Suzette.

Janny was chosen to be in the Olympic Relay in 2000 for her voluntary work in Adelaide. She was very interested in our Run and to once again hold a flaming torch.

Near the end of our run, Keith and Sharon Andrews and their baby Samuel stopped to talk to us. Keith works as a housing officer for four of the local communities spanning an area of over 25 km.

– Elke Lindner (Germany) and Nishima Knowsley (New Zealand)

Carnival!

Tonight in Halls Creek we were drawn to the sounds of the travelling carnival that is planted here for a week or two before its next stop in a tour of small communities around Australia.

With a few rides and games the once lonely field was transformed into a festival of colours, sounds and atmosphere.

Nothing brings child-like joy to adults like a ride on the bumper cars.

Then Sandro took off on some acrobatic bungee cords.

One thing that never changes is the joy and happiness a carnival can bring.

It is certainly all happening here in remote Halls Creek tonight!  After the carnival, we returned to our tents to be serenaded by the strains of 'Howzat' from the Daryl Braithwaite concert at the nearby showground.

– Prabhakar Street (Canada)

If you would like to place a link or a write a story about the World Harmony Run on your website, click here to Link to Us. We'll be happy to place a reciprocal link and list you on our Friends Online page.

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

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

Gallery: See more images!

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