At 7:30 in the morning half the team was already in a Zagreb city park called Zrinjevac, where the Croatian organizers were interviewed by national TV. The ceremony was really fun because there were several schools that joined their efforts to make it good. Singing, dancing and a little bit of acting drew smiles from many peoples’ faces and passers-by. The deputy mayor held an inspirational speech and in the end all kids joined the international team of runners to the main square of Zagreb. There were more than a hundred kids and they were of course very noisy, joyful and almost ecstatic, as usual with kids in Croatia.

When the team reached Dugo Selo runners were very warmly welcomed and hosted by their municipality and tourist representatives. In a very nice speech in the mayor called the World Harmony Run probably the best thing that is going on in the world at the moment.

Vrbovec, a very nice little town with many historical royal stories. We were greeted by the local school kids who skipped their gym lesson to run with us a bit and who were very happy about it. The lunch we had there was very nicely prepared and it really refreshed us. The town mayor was with us all the time. A few of us stayed behind to give a radio interview.

Because I had been earlier this year on the run many nice memories were evoked and I personally felt really elevated by the energy the team was spreading all around. Some runners told me they really liked Croatia and the ceremonies, too; but they were especially moved by some moments we caught here - like the afternoon thick gold shine of the sun spread all over the green hills in the distance.

The school in Cazma prepared a little surprise to the runners – they sang the World Harmony Run Song in such a nice way and really justified their winning second place in the national choir competition.

But what was really amazing was the way Garesnica had prepared for the runners. They drew a big World Harmony Run poster and put it on the stage and they organized so called mazoretkinje to dance for us, city girls wearing special uniforms. Many balloons, lots of singing and dancing, and over 200 people gathered on the main square smiling and waving at us. The town mayor ran with us although he recently had an operation and he honestly supported the run and the ideas it represents.

The most enjoyable run we had between Garesnica and Daruvar. It could be due to the fact that we were approaching our last destination this very busy day. A local marathon runner joined us enthusiastically and was very eager to participate in the run the day after as well. But, also a great number of kids were giving speed to the run shouting “yeaaah, run, run fast, fast." There were kids on bikes, and running with all of them really made this last run special.

Daruvar´s mazoretkinje danced and a big choir of kids sang for the runners ´´ Let the whole world hear that there are still good people in it``. The speech we heard was extraordinary. It was held by a local girl marathon runner. She said that all the nations, cultures, religions have the same goal, which is harmony and a world without wars, and that this is the reason we should always break boundaries on the way to this magnificent goal. She and the city mayor thanked us very warmly and expressed their wishes that we bring their messages of love with us. Delicious dinner and well-deserved sleep. We couldn´t do anything else but agree.

Distance: 137km

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