After an early start, we stopped for tea in the historic town of Oundle.

As luck would have it, we had a reception at the Oundle Church of England Primary School.

Oundle is situated on the site of British and American military bases, so many of the children were born overseas, making it another international school.

A window. (What did you think it was?)

This wonderfully happy family met us on the road and waited for the runners as they passed though their village.

We visited Polebrook Primary School, another school in a military area, with another international group of students, and another rousing reception. 

After Polebrook, we had a long distance to run into Cambridge for our afternoon schedule, so we split into three teams to cover the miles. One team had the good fortune to finish in Catworth, which is a great name for a village.

The team made it to Catworth early, so there was time for a cat nap. This lasted about 40 seconds.

There was also time to a) phone parents in the Czech Republic, b) call the other teams to say we'd finished, or c) pose for silly photos in a red phone booth - one of the great icons of England's roads.

Other teams also ran through England's beautiful villages, while showing off the wonderful fashions of the World Harmony Run. (Yes, the singlets come in blue as well as white.)

A day after visiting Oxford, the site of one of Britain's two most esteemed Universities, we visited the other: Cambridge University.

Our first meeting was at the famous Kings College, established in 1441 (by Henry VI, hence the name) and still going strong.

We met with Dr John Barber, a Fellow of King's College, a friend and admirer of the World Harmony Run's founder, Sri Chinmoy. Dr Barber is a Russian scholar, specialising in "politics, religion and society in modern Russia; the USSR in World War II; and Leningrad in the Stalin and Khrushchev eras." He has visited Russia every year since 1969. For the first time since joining the Run, Vladimir, our Russian runner, was able to practise his native language.

Students hold the torch during their break from studying. Female students have been accepted into the College since way, way back in 1970.

We couldn't resist doing a run along the King's College quadrangle, re-enacting the famous race from "Chariots of Fire".

OK, so that was a different college. But we were close enough!

Cambridge is not only one of the oldest campuses in the world, but also one of the most scenic and attractive.

We ran to The Guildhall, in Cambridge's legendary Market Square, to pass the Torch to the Mayor of Cambridge, Cllr Ian Nimmo-Smith.

We were greeted by a gifted local choir, who enchanted us with many songs - including the World Harmony Run song. (We'll have to invite them to the schools!)

The Mayor presented us with a scroll, to be presented two days later to the Mayor of Ipswich.

We had not advertised the reception, but thanks to the choir and the Torch, a small crowd of spectators had gathered. We gave them all an opportunity to hold the Torch.

The Mayor accepted our Certificate of Appreciation, on behalf of the City of Cambridge.

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Video Message from Davidson Hepburn, President (2009 - 2011) of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for 25th Anniversary of the World Harmony Run and a vision for the decade: "Toward a Oneness-World".

Full Text of the 25th annversary message and link to 25 language informal Translations: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/25

or Click on language button for separate youtube videos wth sub titles in varous languages

See also:

• Youtube video on African experience which illustrates IYY slogan "Our Year Our Voice" International Year of Youth - Zambia World Harmony. They surprisingly mention Presidents and UN Secretary-General in a unique way!

• Listen to the World-Harmony-Run song: 2 min version // 6 min

– Noivedya

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Distance: 76 km

Team Members:
Apaguha Vesely (Czech Republic), Sandro Zincarini (Italy), Mladen Vujaklija (Croatia), Sumahat Strohn (Germany), Noivedya Juddery (Australia), Andre Carvalho Ribeiro (Portugal), Deeptaksha Mihaylov (Bulgaria), Abhejali Bernardova (Czech Republic), Satyamurti Miotello (Italy), Vladimir Ilyasov (Russian Federation), Laszlo Szente (Hungary), Karolina Hausenblasova (Czech Republic), Simon Hausenblas (Czech Republic), Balavan Thomas (England), Devashishu Torpy (England)

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.

Gallery: See more images!

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