This morning we leave the luxury and loveliness of Veliko Tarnovo, and set out for Lovech.

Atanaska is happy that things are running smoothly.

Tireless Matthias seizes an opportunity to monkey around.

"It sure is pretty here, makes me want to run and run!"

The city of Lovech recently had this statue of its patron warrior cast for its central square.

Emese loves the abundance of traditonal spiced bread.

Bulgarian coordinator Baridhi truly embodies the spirit of the run. He is an inspiration to everyone.

We are so blessed to be treated to these Bulgarian dances. Each one is unique and totally dynamic.

Now it is the girls' turn to show us how it's done.

Fancy feet!

One big happy world family.

Whose flame is brighter? Hard to say.

A beaming smile erupts as this lady adds her wish to the torch.

Local pilgrim.

Nothing like a snooze after a breezy 5K run.

Watermelon: Get in my belly!!

A pair of the valiant foot soldiers which make this run possible, but where is their runner?

On the road, we rested at a fruit-stand and local farmers spontaneously presented the team with bags of peaches and plums.

Judit gives her all for World Harmony, what a glow.

Of course, we had to let our fruit-stand friends wish upon the torch!

The proprietor of the plums. Yum!

Running into Pleven.

The Deputy-Mayor of Pleven addresses the gathered crowd with some kind words about Harmony and Friendship.

A world-famous group of Bulgarian singers took the time to perform in honour of World Harmony...

... and accompanied the fabulous dancers with live music.

This was one of the most brilliant dances we have seen, by far.

See how comfortable the torch is in the hands of each and every beautiful human being.

Bulgarian coordinator Ivan Garabitov wins our MVP award; not only has he facilitated large portions of the Bulgarian Run, he has created a highly effective wrestler-training program which incorporates yoga and alternative healing techniques. He is a true pioneer.

Second lady in from the left coins one for the girls: "It's not 'Girl Power'" she says, it is "Woman Family." One for the world indeed.

Both teams of ladies were life-long athletics enthusiasts and were on hand to carry the torch.

An inner child erupts across the face of another torch bearer.

These two boys are Latter Day Saints, missionaries from California.

We were all invited to place a red carnation on the town's eternal flame, adding a moment of silence to a busy day.

– Sarah Newton

Distance: 122 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!