Team A

Our route today was flanked by two mountain ranges: the O'Donnell Range to the west, and the Ragged Range to the east. As with architecture, it is fascinating to observe the effect of landscape on the psyche. While the vast, flat open plains grant a sense of expansion and liberation, the return of the mountains today brought a soothing thrill, an inner balance, a relieved familiar belonging – a reminder that for me at least, mountains are meant to be...

We have so far met several cyclists riding around Australia, and a few riding around the world (but so far no-one else running!) This morning just out of Warmun, Stephan Stuermer stopped to offer our runner some water, who he felt would need it more, as he was 'only cycling.' Stephan appeared very focused, calm and contented, having so far cycled 30,000 km of his journey around the world.

Of all our team, the one who makes the most friends on the road is undoubtedly Misha Kulagin from Russia. It is not uncommon to find him in the middle of his run, having offered the Torch to his newest friends and using their camera to capture the occasion.

After Misha ran off with the Torch we continued chatting with his Czech friends, Radek and Lucie, who had just spent two days visiting the Bungle Bungles which they described as the best place they had yet seen in Australia. Our own Czechs, Standa and Miro, were delighted to practice their native tongue. Lucie and Standa come from neighbouring suburbs in Brno, so all had plenty to chat about. Like us, Lucie is writing daily reports for their own website, which Radek maintains.

All sorts of vehicles occupy the roads, and a tractor flying patriotic flags with a caravan in tow is not the most surprising thing we have seen. However when a second tractor appears, and then a whole fleet of caravan-lugging, flag-waving, melody-horn-honking tractors follows, one has got to wonder what is going on ... (it turns out the Chamberlain 9G Tractor Club are on their way to Darwin, so we may see them again on the road!)

Our day's running complete, we were able to take time to explore 'Hidden Valley', just behind the township of Kununurra.

Nestled on the outskirts of town we discovered a trail heading into 'The Gap' walking track and found ourselves in a magical labyrinth of craggy trails and interesting rock formations – truly a kid's dream.

After an extensive shopping expedition in Kununurra to keep our team going for the next few days, we reached Lake Argyle just as the sun was tucking the hills in for their night's sleep.

Right after offering such a serene sunset for a fitting finale to the day, Nature followed with an arresting encore...

– Prachar Stegemann (Australia)

Team B

Our stretch of running this morning followed the western side of the Ragged Range. On the other side of the range Lake Argyle reached all the way to our accommodation for tonight at Lake Argyle Tourist Village Motel, with the promise of great scenery at sundown.

The scenery changed noticeably as we ran. Behind every curve, a new landscape would present itself – long curved roads finding their way through hills of red stone. Up and down.

By lunch time we had finished our run. To ensure we cover the whole distance with the World Harmony Run Torch, we leave a discreet poster to mark where we start so that the next team knows where to stop.

After travelling through this beautiful countryside we reached our final destination for sunset and weren’t disappointed.

It far exceeded the reports. Over an hour we observed the dramatic red walls grow brighter and reflect in the lake, then the changing colours of blue and pink around the islands and sky above. We felt rejuvenated after a day in the hot sun.

Before it got dark we took the opportunity to drive down to the lake shore for a scenic run and a quick dive into the water.

We were a little uncomfortable knowing there were freshwater crocodiles in the lake. Some say they are harmless. Others say you can’t trust a crocodile.

Lake Argyle was formed when the mighty Ord River was dammed. Water from the lake is used in the extensive Ord River Irrigation System which supports a healthy agricultural industry. The lake holds enough water to fill Sydney Harbour several times!

The area also has a unique and rich ecosystem, and it so attracts hundreds of visitors, including a couple from Holland whose son was wrapped with fascination for the World Harmony Run Torch.

Since retiring, Narlene spends 10 months of the year travelling Australia with her husband John, returning to family each year for Christmas. Here Narlene is comparing routes with Nataliya.

As a policeman, this fellow runner competed in a relay all around Victoria against other services like the fire brigade. Because it was a race they had to tag the next runner at 3 km intervals and ran at a much faster pace. If you missed the change, the runner had to run to the next 3 km mark – intense!

– Nishima Knowsley (New Zealand)

Team C

After a delicious cooked breakfast courtesy of our hosts at Warmun Creek Roadhouse, we were all set for a full day of running and adventure.

Our first task was to drive ahead and run the final 40 km into Kununurra along the Victoria Highway. As this roads serves as the main thoroughfare between Wyndham and Kununurra, the roads were very busy with transport vehicles and holiday-makers with caravans in tow.

Today it is one week since Nigel Webber joined the team in Broome. Our reporter caught up with him on the road to Kununurra...

On our approach into Kununurra we crossed the famous Ord River.

In Kununurra we made contact with Alligator Airways who provided the World Harmony Run with one complimentary ticket on a 2-hour flight over Lake Argyle and the Bungle Bungles.

To everyone's great joy Dima Lehonkov, our Ukrainian representative, was the lucky passenger and took the following photos and video you see below. Special thanks to Debra Donovan from Alligator Airways for generously providing this opportunity for the team.

– Veeraja Uppal (Australia)

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)

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Gallery: See more images!

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