Our sporty youths from yesterday accompany us for 3k out of the city: a steep descent followed by a slightly less steep ascent. The weather is brisk, a blanket of grey veils the sky, and the air is faintly damp: a perfect day for running!

We stop at a children’s camp. Even though we interrupt their viewing of Harry Potter, the children aren’t upset at all. Like all children, they are very open to our message, and many a bright face takes on a new beam while holding the Torch, our symbol of friendship. After we’ve finished our children’s program we take them outside for running. On your marks, get set, go! Whoosh! A bunch of them whiz off at super speed. Many of our girls seem really at home with all these kids around.

The border of Minsk, Belarus’ proud capital: that went fast! Young local athletes join us for over 7k to our destination in the centre of town - the Victory Square. At two intervals clusters of red-dressed children join our group. In the end we are over 50 runners, running in the middle of 5-laned streets. Cameramen record our progress, and Jarek from Poland even gives an interview on the move. Great hulking architecture flanks our sides, including temple-like buildings and churches. We pass by many a park and square, including the October square, which contains the small zero-kilometre pyramid, from which all distances in Belarus are counted. Many buildings and streets are decorated with old soviet symbols like the red star, and many monuments are depictions from war and revolution.

At the Victory Square a crowd of people is waiting for us, flanking the eternal flame in two neat lines. Ahead of us under a great black obelisk are the city officials. In front of them stand three girls dressed in shining white, radiating light and purity.

They offer us sturdy and delicious dark bread with salt. The officials give good speeches, offering their gratitude and praise for what the World Harmony Run is and does. This is followed by interviews with the media. Later we also have a big press conference with a dozen news agencies present.

In the evening the government provides us with an interesting tour of the city. Thank you very much!

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Distance: 80km

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