This was a day full of variety and surprises! A day of fast running, mountains and a tight schedule...

We started early in the morning in Sarzana, and speeded up for the next 70 kilometres as we had to go from sea level up to an altitude of more than 1000 metres. As we crossed Passo della Cisa, the border with the province of Parma, we met our coordinators for today.

After a short briefing, we headed for our first meeting.

The mayor of Berceto, who is aged 76!!!, awaited us at the entrance of the village and enthusiastically took the torch! He ran all the way to the meeting place, where we were given nice refreshments. What a spirit!

Next we had a good downhill run, well-deserved after all the climbs in the morning. We spent a few lovely hours in most beautiful nature and enjoyed the countryside.

As we moved on, we entered the village of Fornovo, where the city representative and a group of kids welcomed us.

More refreshments were served and the kids enjoyed a short run!

In Felino more runners joined in and the city representative took the torch to the meeting place!

We were already short of time, because another meeting was scheduled: at Castello Torrechiara, a famous Renaissance castle.

The mayor and the "assessore dello sport" of Langhirano received our team at the gate and sprinted up the the last steep metres to the castle.

We got a quick sightseeing tour and enjoyed the breathtaking view from the top of the castle.

Two mafiosi?

Finally we headed for Parma, where at the city limits a group of runners waited. The police took the lead and 500 metres before the Piazza Garibaldi, the new mayor of Parma joined in and carried the torch into the city hall. This was his first official appearance in public!

A marching band was welcoming us with powerful music and the city representative for education also greeted us!

Three TV stations broadcasted and then the "assessore" brought us upstairs to the "sala consiliare", the conference room. Our team was presented with a huge trophy, shaped as a world globe!

A presentation of the World Harmony Run took place and a wonderful buffet awaited us! The highlight was the world-famous cheese from the region of Parma: Parmegano Reggiano.

City Hall also invited us later for a most delicious dinner in a vegetarian restaurant! After all, a really intense day...

Distance: 125km

Team Members:
Dipavajan Renner and Gerhard Grünstäudl (Austria), Anita Borics (Hungary), Marlin Bernhard (Germany), Jarek Werner (Poland), Svetlana Gorshkova (Russia), Roos de Waart (Netherlands), Sandro Zicarini (Italy)

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

Gallery: See more images!