Bulgaria has embraced the World Harmony Run by showing the team generous hospitality every place it visits in this lush countryside.

The Run team has an early morning fuel-up before beginning the day's 120km run.

First stop is at the town of Byala, where a team of local runners accompanies the torch into the city centre.

Matthias and Emese break bread with children, upon arrival.

Chillin' out with the Harmony torch.

A local man from Byala makes an enthusiastic proclamation!

The girls join in a rousing round of a traditional Bulgarian dance.

"Really? The entire world?!" Awesome!

The city council of Byala treats the team to lunch and ice cream. Lenka is very pleased at the prospect.

A few more happy kilometres for friendship, tolerance and peace.

Roadside chit-chat between friends.

More simple pleasures along the way.

The farmer watches over his donkey, which has won the hearts of the girls.

Martin looking proud and triumphant.

Running into Gorna Oryahovica.

Viva Bulgaria! Viva la World Harmony Run!!

Local kindergarteners treat the team to a folk story.

This young dancer gave a very sincere performance.

The final stop of our tour, and our resting place for the evening, is the fabulous "resort mecca" of Veliko Tarnovo. It's like a walled Bulgarian version of Aspen, Colorado. Exquisite.

Greetings from the acting mayor were heartfelt and plentiful.

Media representatives were on hand to ask the Bulgarian runners lots of questions.

The team enthusiastically ran thousands of feet uphill to enjoy this meeting. Go team!!

Regional co-ordinators share a wish on the torch.

Browsing through a brochure about the majestic mountain - coming here is a total surprise!

Local kindergarten children impress us with dances and gymnastics; the school prides itself on its athletic program.

We made the children official members of the Harmony Run Team and they 'ran around the world', collecting stamps from the countries they visited.

Oh, how kids love stamps!

Some of us dragged ourselves away from the gorgeous view at the Hotel Arssani to ooh and ahh at Veliko Tarnovo's famous nightly Laser Show. Wow!!

We would like to express our sincire gratitude to the city of Veliko Tarnovo for being the perfect hosts to our Team.

– Sarah Newton

Distance: 116 km

Team Members:
Martin Leitner (Austria), Matthias Eckerle (Germany), Daniel Schenke (Germany), Radka Metelkova (Czech Republic), Marek Heelcl (Czech Republic), Vera Balonishnikova (Russia), Emese Gero (Hungary), Judit Toth (Hungary), Tatjana Chochlikova (Slovakia), Lenka Chobodicka (Slovakia), Sarah Newton (Canada)

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

Gallery: See more images!