- Live From The Road
- 2006
- 2005
- Events in 2005
- St. Thomas, 17-18 June: Acting Governor holds torch
- St. Lucia, 16 June: Acting Prime Minister receives Torch
- Dominica, 14 June: Thousands of Children take part
- Grenada, 15 June: Three Ministers run with the torch
- Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda holds Torch
- Antigua and Barbuda, 12 June
- St. Kitts, 11 June: Braving the Storm
- Antigua, 10 June: Beenie Man holds the torch
- Jamaica, 10 June: Departure and...Tropical Storm Arlene!
- Jamaica, 9 June: Caribbean Run Launched!
- Jamaica, 8 June: Preparation
- Media
Jamaica, 9 June: Caribbean Run Launched!
Today began the first organized Harmony Run in the Caribbean. The scenery along the way was amazing and the people were extremely enthusiastic and friendly. The run began in Spanish Town, the old capital, in front of the courthouse. Two local children wearing only flip-flops on their feet spontaneously joined us for the beginning and kept a pretty fast pace.
The local Mayor Mr. Notice serendipitously arrived at work when we were starting. He greeted us and held the torch and gave a quick tour of the surroundings. This location was a particularly significant starting place given that in 1834 slavery was abolished officially and it is considered the time where real racial harmony began.
The Jamaica police where also with us the whole way, escorting us and making sure the runners were safe while running along the main road. All the drivers would pass and make peace signs and applaud, the people really got into the sprit of the event. It started out sunny and , ten minuets later it was pouring everyone was drenched, the roads became rivers as we carried on.
Along the way the track team for the Saint Andrew School for girls came out and ran with us. They joined us about three quarters the way through just after the rain let up and were full of energy; they left our boys in the dust. They kept repeating "we can go faster, we can go faster!"
We then were greeted at Jamaica House by Jamaica's Minister of Sport Portia Simpson-Miller, who graciously received the torch, met everyone and then began running with us all! She was ablaze with Jamaica's national colors of green and yellow. We all ran to King's House where we thanked her for such dynamic participation. She thanked us and the Run's founder, Sri Chinmoy , for bringing such a wonderful event to Jamaica. We were thrilled to have such minister-level participation with us on the streets!
The run came to end at the University of the West Indies. Avery special place for us because this is were the founder and inspiration for the World Harmony Run, Sri Chinmoy, came to lecture in 1968. Ian Andrews, a local sportscaster also with the Institute of Sport, sang the national anthem. Vlima Charlton, who competed in the 1964, 1968 and 1974 Olympics gave a very moving speech about the ideals of the Olympic movement and how they are the same as the World Harmony Run. We would also like to thank Grace Kelly for supplying water and drinks and The University of the West Indies for the beautiful room to hold the ceremony.
This evening we did a radio interview with Juliet Cuthbert, who won the silver medals in Barcelona in 100m and 200m. This was one of five radio interviews and two television interviews. We must sincerely thank David Fitz-Henley for making all this happen, without him there would have been no Harmony Run in Jamaica. We must also thank Alfred Francis with the JAAA for getting the route for us.
We want to thank all the people of Jamaica for their Friendship and Open Hearts. Finally, we want to thank the Jamaica Tourist Board , for all their help. We sincerely hope to return to Jamaica soon!
< Jamaica, 8 June |
Jamaica, 10 June > |