The World Harmony Run found itself in a similar situation to last year's, in the morning of the last day of running. Again, five heroes would venture swimming across Hvalfjörður fiord with the Harmony Torch in hand. On the other hand, there were a few dissimilarities this year. First of all, Þorgeir Sigurðsson, who started swimming last year, was not present, but in his place was a no lesser swimmer: Benedikt Hjartarson. Furthermore, Birna Jóhanna Ólafsdóttir, Heimir Örn Sveinsson, Viktoría Áskelsdóttir and Hálfdán Freyr Örnólfsson again participated this year.

The weather was much nicer this year, which created many nice opportunities, such as the opportunity to behold the beauty of Hvalfjörður while monitoring the swimmers. Also, the sea was much calmer, making it easier for the swimmers.

Viktoría's son, Gunnar Áki, followed in his small boat, and so did members of the Akranes Rescue Squad.

These fine conditions made it possible for the swimmers to finish at the same time. This had not been possible last year. As the swimmers reached the shore, the Torch was handed to Davíð, who started the 40 km trek to Reykjavík.

The girls took over from him, and ran all the way to the parking lot at Esjan mountain, where a new runner, Guðmundur Magnason got a chance to run. Guðmundur ran quite fast for 12-13 km, stopping in Reykjavík close to his own home.

The Run continued to the Laugardalur recreation park, where Sigríður Jónsdóttir from the Icelandic Sports and Olympics organization ran the last few steps through the Family and Domesticated Animals park. On the way, a group of kids joined us.

We all gathered in the Family park for the final ceremony; a few very young children were there.

Sigríður gave a short and concise speech. Among the things she touched on was the importance of sports for world harmony, the universal appeal of sports and how sports are independent of culture and religion.

Upajukta then ended the ceremony and reminded everyone that, while this was the end of the 18 day Icelandic World Harmony Run, the European relay will also visit Iceland in August-September.

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Distance: 43km

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