Anticipating a lot of red tape whilst crossing from Ukraine into Poland, the International runners drove to the border whilst the Ukrainian part of the team ran the 73 km from L’viv to the border. Many thanks to Yevgeniy, our Ukraine country coordinator for his patience and planning, and to the entire Ukrainian team.

It was to be a challenging day, as border crossings generally are. At the Ukraine border they were very strict and kept us waiting for over an hour as the "correct" documentation had to be completed.

Unfortunately our International Team runner from Ukraine, Valentine could not join us into Poland due to visa requirements, but after negotiations with authorities on both sides of the border, we believe he is expected to join us in Warsaw few days later. We already miss him, and wish his speedy return.

We were all glad to meet our Polish friends on the other side of the border including Janek, our cheerful Polish country coordinator. The Polish element of the WHR team comprises a small handful of runners, so it would be a challenge for us all to run the long distances, especially in the rain again! Where has the summer gone?! The glorious summer temperatures and blue skies of Bulgaria seem a distant memory.

We also welcomed Jarek, from Poland who joined the International Team and will stay with us when we leave Poland.

Mikael had recovered from his cold from yesterday and was eager to run the long distances required for today. Not only had we lost an invaluable team member in Valentine, but the three previous days of cold and rain had taken its toll on Mark who had to rest today due to flu and a stomach upset. With the one and half hour border crossing time it was most challenging to keep up with the tight schedule.

All the runners persevered through the wind and the rain, and especially the girls who ran admirably, always ready to volunteer to run further relays.

Our first meeting in Poland was in Tomaszow Lubelski with the mayor, who greeted us all with a beaming smile and much needed refreshments. He was only too willing to run with us and the torch. We then proceeded to the outskirts of Stary Zamosc where we met local boys’ and girls’ football teams. They had braved the elements and waited for us.

They were only too eager to run with us to their school where we met the school director. They proudly showed us their own handmade World Harmony Run banners.

After the taking of many photographs we were invited inside for a great lunch of sandwiches, plenty of fruit and hot tea to revive our cold muscles.

At Zamosc we ran through the city and had an informal meeting with people in the square. As we sang the World Harmony Run song the rain stopped. This was only to last for 20 minutes though, but we were thankful for a brief respite from the rain.

At our next meeting in Krasnystaw we were joined by children from the town’s running club, as part of Krasnystaw’s programme of events for children called ‘Children’s Happy Days’ held from 1 June until 4 June. Our arrival and meeting with the mayor was filmed by local television. He invited us into the town’s hall where we avidly tucked into some great sandwiches and watched a video about Krasnystaw.

Then the mayor and the children got into the spirit of the Run!

A few kilometres from Lublin a Polish car that was escorting us broke down - just a flat battery. We all got out and pushed it. It worked!

By the time we left Krasnystaw the rain had thankfully stopped, as we made the final 25 km to Lublin. The police throughout the whole day who had been very helpful escorted us to our final destination of Lublin castle, and then onto our hotel accommodation for the night.

Distance: 203km

Team Members:
Ivana Bauernoplova (Czech Republic),Jarek Werner (Poland), Mark Collinson (England), Mikael Vilpoux (France), Ondrej Vesely (Czech Republic), Stepanka Sarvaicova (Czech Republic), Valentine Bebik (Ukraine)

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