Sri Chinmoy discovered in Archbishop Desmond Tutu a friend of the spirit, someone who shared his dream of a world founded upon the feeling that we all belong to one family. Together they collaborated on many humanitarian aid projects for South Africa. On a global level, Archbishop Tutu enthusiastically embraced Sri Chinmoy's concept of a relay run encircling the world in a bond of peace and friendship.

Archbishop Tutu, the Nobel Peace Laureate for 1984, sent this powerful message to the runners: "I am happy to support your Peace Run for justice, peace and reconciliation. The world must know that God wants us to live amicably as brothers and sisters, members of one family, the human family, God's family."