Live from the road report by Seth Feldman and Jhulan Richard Dalton, June 15:

Today our 7,600 kilometre cross-Canada odyssey came to an end for 2006.

For our final hurrah, we carried the torch to the edge of Peggy’s Cove this afternoon, so the gale-force winds from the Atlantic could do what we were reluctant to do - extinguish our torch and bring the World Harmony Run Canada, 2006 to its close. The torch will nevertheless remain lit within our hearts until next year’s run.

Our day had started 8 hours earlier, when the World Harmony runners joined members of the Canadian National Canoe Team at the Cheema Aquatic Club out on Lake Thomas for a paddle on this grey and misty morning. Paddlers Karen Furneaux, Scott Dicky and Jhulan Richard Dalton held the torch and posed for a snap.

As raindrops pelted the surface of the lake, we had a blast splashing around in our boats while the athletes trained, though it was obvious that we were not as adept in water as on land. We tried to organize a race but we couldn’t keep our boats straight and the race quickly turned into a bumbling game of bumper boats. To her credit, Prapti Jensen managed to shoot out from the tangle of bows to cross the finish line, making her the gold medalist of the morning.

In contrast to our efforts, the athleticism of the National Canoe Team was a sight to behold. They cut across the water with deft strokes and streaks of exhilarating speed and in no time at all, were tiny specks on the other side of the lake. It was an honour to have these champions hold the torch and express their support for our own athletic endeavour.

WHR wannabe kayaker Caitlin learns her first lesson about boating ("try not to tip the kayak").

We then moved on to events in downtown Halifax, for our final events for the year.

At Westmount School the students offered an abundance of answers to the question “what is Harmony?” Friendship, love, peace and understanding became the prevalent themes of the ceremony, as the students shared their positive and inspiring perceptions.

For the second year in a row, Halifax City Councilor Dawn Sloane was happy to great the Harmony Run at City Hall. Taking time out of her busy schedule, Councilor Sloane offered words of appreciation for the efforts of the runners and added that the rainy Halifax weather shouldn’t dampen the spirit of the run. The runners presented councilor Sloane with a T-shirt which she immediately put on and she in return, presented the Runners with an official Halifax Regional Municipality pin, a welcome addition to our colourful collection from across Canada.

Staff members at the restaurant Satisfaction Feast in Halifax smile as they hold the torch. This crew of dedicated workers kept the team well fed during our stay in town.

Despite the tropical storm sweeping through Halifax, the World Harmony Run team was totally enthusiastic about the last event of the 2006 Canadian Run.

The team arrived, torch in hand at the Bedford Academy School and was greeted by Principal Nancy Wallace. And what a glorious coincidence - it was also the last day of school for the year, for the students of the Bedford Academy!

Under the enthusiastic leadership of Principal Wallace, the students were anticipating the arrival of the World Harmony Run and had prepared a few activities to celebrate the occasion. First, a special group of Junior High students joined the team to run into the gymnasium, where the rest of the students greeted us with the WHR theme song playing in the background. Our torchbearer was a student named Ryan Penny who had recently won the Bedford Academy Citizenship Award.

Next, it was off to the music room for a DVD presentation and a talk about Harmony followed some questions and answers.

To demonstrate the idea of harmony, the students were divided into three groups; each one learned a different chant involving the word “harmony” and they then blended into a single performance to form a unique and powerful song. After this activity, the students performed the song “Upside Down” by Jack Johnson with lots of exuberant dancing.

Principal Wallace then presented the runners with baseball caps bearing the school's logo. As they took their final leave from the doors of the school, each student held the torch and bade farewell to their teachers for the summer

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