We had come to Egypt with nothing more than a torch, some hope, and the taste of a dream. While the official run was set to start almost a week later on March 8 in Tunisia, the 3 of us found ourselves in Cairo hoping for the nearly impossible.

From a distance, the charm and grandeur of a place like Cairo can hold up a promise to one's imagination that is almost impossible to fulfill. It is easy to picture the World Harmony Run torch being carried by a team of eager young runners and circling the great pyramids of Giza or running dramatically beside the softly flowing waters of the Nile. The truth is, that for all the sublime possibilities in the world, sometimes traffic, red tape, and rules can stifle even the grandest vision.

But the main problem with not fulfilling great dreams is knowing that maybe they could have been fulfilled with advance planning and hard work - we had come to this ancient heart of civilization with no advance preparation whatsoever.

We were however given, at the 11th hour, the name of someone who could grant and fulfill an even grander and more fragrant reality. Someone who had a giant heart, someone who instantly felt the breath and promise of what we were trying to do, and someone who never stopped in giving his tireless support and kindness. His name is Hussien Fahmy and he is the General Manager of the Egyptian Athletic Federation.

He took time out from his busy schedule and kindly allowed us into his office without an appointment. He listened as we wove for him the fabric of our unrealistic goals. You could sense how eager his heart was to please and yet his eyes showed how impossible it was to realize even a fraction of our unrealistic vision.

Then out of the blue we mentioned that we also would like to visit Luxor and hoped that perhaps there, something could be accomplished. It was as if the seas had suddenly parted. His enthusiasm blossomed beyond our expectations. With a few phone calls he opened the door to what would be a most unexpected and most satisfying World Harmony Run, further up the Nile. Upon arriving in Luxor we would be greatly surprised. What was revealed to us there, was an unexpected treasure - not unlike Howard Carter coming upon the treasure of the young Tut.

Everyone who holds the torch is special, and carries it forward. Everyone, when they hear of the great dream that the World Harmony Run embodies, cannot help but wish for this vision to be made real in this sometimes chaotic and troubled world of ours.

General Manager Hussien Fahmy is one of those very rare and special people who can not only bring that dream to life, but also advance the vision of the World Harmony Run to a new and loftier height.

We have a small photograph of him holding the torch on the steps of his office in Cairo. It tells so little, this simple picture. It does not show the doors that he opened for the World Harmony Run in the Luxor region of Southern Egypt.

Over 3 very full days, the World Harmony Run saw the torch passed through many hands, young and old alike. The torch burned beside ancient temples and in a children’s school yard. None of this would have been possible but for the enthusiasm and dedication of Hussien Fahmy. He kindled the fire of the torch and helped it to burn brightly in the heart of Egypt.

Team Members:
Utpal Marshall (Canada), Mario Komak and Rasto Ulicny (Slovakia)

Gallery: See more images!