Press release: for immediate release

Run for World Harmony

The World Harmony Run is a worldwide torch relay that symbolizes humanity’s universal aspiration for a more harmonious world. This year celebrating its 25th anniversary, the World Harmony Run is one of the world’s largest and most enduring grassroots efforts for peace. Since its inception the torch has visited more than 140 nations.

The 2012 European Leg of the World Harmony Run will start in Portugal on 27th February and travel on a 24,000km journey through 45 European countries to finish in Vienna on 8 October. It will pass through the UK from 10 March - 2 April. 

Along the route, runners will visit schools, community groups, festivals, local and national government organisations. At each of these appointments we will celebrate the universal goal of World Harmony and recognise people in the community who work towards that goal. As we carry the torch around the world we invariably come into contact with remarkable people. The World Harmony Run offers a special award - the Torch-Bearer Award - to recognize and honour those who have made significant and inspiring contributions of service to their community, whether it be in Parliament or in the classroom.

The torch relay is actively supported by many top athletes, among them Carl Lewis (USA) 9-time Olympic Gold Medallist, Paul Tergat (Kenya) former men’s Marathon World Record holder, Tegla Loroupe (Kenya) former women’s Marathon World Record holder and Tatyana Lebedeva (Russia) Long Jump Gold Medallist Athens 2004. In addition, the Run has many friends including world leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Mikhail Gorbachev.  

During the history of the World Harmony Run in Great Britain, the torch has been held by many prominent people, amongst them Lord Sebastian Coe and Paula Radcliffe. The Queen held the torch at the VE Day celebrations in 1995 and used it to light the Beacon in Hyde Park.

Organised by the World Harmony Run, a non-profit organisation based in New York, volunteer coordinators in different cities work in partnership with local schools and community organisations.

The Run was founded and launched in 1987 by the late Sri Chinmoy, to provide an opportunity for citizens to express their own hopes and dreams for world harmony. Since then the initiative visited over 150 countries and international teams of runners run far more than 500,000 km or more than thirteen times around the circumference of the earth. The simple message of the Run - "Harmony begins with me" - has inspired millions the world over. 

Everyone can participate in the World Harmony Run and carry the torch a few steps, a few hundred metres or a few miles, or just come out and cheer the runners on as they pass through their neighbourhood at one of the many welcoming ceremonies along the route.

Notes to editor

For further information about the World Harmony Run, please contact:

Devashishu Torpy (World Harmony Run Coordinator)  Tel: 07733 222 951