After an inspiring fortnight break in New York, the International Team flew back to Rome and took the short flight to Malta, where Jwalanta, our Malta co-ordinator, met us.

The International Team currently comprises Andreas and Martin from Austria, Runar from Iceland, Roberto from Germany, Mark from England, and our team leader Ondrej from the Czech Republic.

We left our rented apartment early in the morning, in Bugibba on the north of the island, and headed to Marsaskala in the southeast to attend a 10 km race where we were invited to run as a team in the veteran race with the torch and flag.

We met the veteran winner – Charles Cilia, who won the race in a time of 31 minutes 52 seconds. He was very interested in the World Harmony Run, as we discussed running. His PB for the marathon is an impressive 2.27.40. Members of a local running club called ‘The Zurrieq Wolves’ had a group photograph with us and they were so joyful and friendly.

At the start of the second 10 km race (the Senior’s race) the team introduced themselves and wished the focused and determined runners all the best in the race. Many of the runners after the race came up to ask us about the run and to hold the torch in the glorious morning sunshine.

The team stayed for the Award Ceremony where all the winners of different age categories were photographed with the torch and also some of their children.

From Marsakala we travelled to the state island’s capital of Valletta to stroll the streets and take in the sights and sounds of some of the famous historic sites. At the bus station the buses are brightly coloured and some appear rather old fashioned. We noticed one called the ‘Supreme Express’.

At the end of this warm day we took a scenic bus ride along the coast to our apartment. Malta is a beautiful island and some of the coastal sandstone cliffs are spectacularly shaped by the waves, with a tremendous backdrop of crystal clear, azure sea and sunny blue sky.

Roberto, our German runner, prepared us a healthy evening meal in preparation for tomorrow’s busy day of visits to schools and the University ahead of us.

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