Team B

One thing our team knows, is that today we were the earliest rising harmony runners.

It was 5 am when we started running 10 km out of Nelson with Nathan Fa’avae. He is a champion New Zealand adventure racer who runs his own ultra-events company ‘Ten events’, giving people the opportunity to transcend their achievements.

We made our way into town for a ceremony at Nelson Cathedral. Four devoted citizens received the Torch-Bearer Award including Baha'i community stalwart Dr Margaret Belton; Mike Ward – a former parliamentarian, runner, artist; Nathan Fa’avae; and Denise Huttered, who co-ordinated refugee services for over 17 years. Dean Charles Tyrell kindly blessed us as we left for our school ceremony.

The kids at Enner Glynn School all held the torch and at St. Paul’s they sang for us, touching all our hearts.

Brightwater School’s cross-country runners greeted us in the afternoon. The school had made a big effort and representatives recited some wonderful poems. Again, we were touched by their school ‘waiata’.

The deputy principal, 'Dobby', MC’d proceedings and brought in seven beautiful white doves.

The doves were released on the children's count.

– Grahak Cunningham

Team C

After a night of lovely accommodation in the 'Apartments on the Waterfront' in Picton, a quaint harbour town nestled in the heart of the Marlborough Sounds, and port for the Interislander Ferry that runs between the North and South Islands, the morning started with boats, hills and sunny skies reflecting in the rippleless water of the harbour.

Our first stop was an exhibition of children's artwork entitled 'Building a Culture of Peace for Children of the World' in the local mall. This was organised by our new friend Caroline, who also hosted us for dinner last night.

From there we went on to Picton School, where the children had all learnt the World-Harmony-Run song and many of them had written beautiful poems and painted rainbows and harmony pictures for us to take.

The children made their wishes for peace.

Helen, the teacher and co-ordinator for our visit was very supportive and enthusiastic.

At the viewpoint on the Queen Charlotte Sound road just above Picton with the Marlborough Sounds below.

From Picton we ran to Nelson, a centre for arts and crafts at the shore of Tasman Bay, at the northern end of the South Island.

In Nelson, our North Island and South Island teams joined together into one team. This evening we met with the local Baha'i group who organised a wonderful dinner for us at a local Indian restaurant. We shared our stories about the Run and felt completely at home with people who have common goals for a peaceful, oneness world.

National co-ordinator Jogyata Dallas offered the organisers a series of paintings on the theme world harmony...

and the torch was passed around to all those present.

Denise Huttered who coordinated refugee services for over 17 years. She received a Torch-Bearer Award earlier that day for her services.

– Harita Davies

Team Members:
Iris Klapper (Austria), Muslim Badami (India), Erika Pongracz, Gabor Horvath (both Hungary), Lubos Svec (Czech Republic), Melinda Pearson, Grahak Cunningham, Nigel Webber, Prachar Stegemann (Australia), Rupashri Brown, , Stacey Marsh, Harita Davies, Shobhavati Davies, Budhsamudra Knox, Anurakta O'Neill, Tim Cranfield, Aklesha Morrison (all New Zealand)

Gallery: See more images!