Today we sadly said our goodbyes to three International Team members. The Czech girls, Ivana and Stepanka, left last night, and we will miss their cheerfulness and abundant enthusiasm. The boys drove Mikael to Warsaw train station and we wished him ‘bon voyage’ as he headed back to Paris. He will be greatly missed. He was such an invaluable member of the Team, especially helping out with writing the daily reports. He is very cheerful, kind-hearted and our best friend. We hope to see him later in the year when the Run visits Paris.

Our first meeting of the day was at Minsk Mazowiecki. The van went ahead as Mark ran a few kilometres to meet some children.

The police car escorted Mark to the meeting point (a turn a few kilometres off the main road) where about 40 children, aged 13 - 15 were waiting, but there was no sign of the van. Mark talked to their Sports teacher, Christopher, as the children ran the 5 km towards Minsk Maz. The van had missed the turn, but later joined us - we heard the music from the van loudspeakers and Jarek speaking into the microphone telling us to slow down. The mayor of the city ran with us a few steps.

After the ceremony at Minsk Maz. we realised that we had lost the Polish flag. With the Soccer World Cup commencing soon, the national flags of the countries that are competing are of paramount importance. We ran through some nice countryside.

At Siedice (the Poles tell us it is the geographic centre of Europe) we were met by local runners and ran to the city hall where the mayor greeted us. The mayor was proud to point out that Siedice was connected with many European cities. The local television filmed the whole event and we gave an interview.

Marek, one of our Polish runners, mentioned to the mayor that we had lost the Polish national flag. The mayor went right away into the town hall and gave us a new Polish national flag. We will be more careful with this one! We saw some interesting houses on the way.

In Zelkow we met some jovial builders working on a house. They made us all laugh, and one guy jokingly said to his rather well built workmate, that he should run as he needs to lose some weight.

They all gladly joined us for a group photograph, with trowel and torch in hand - we’re building World Harmony!

On the outskirts of Lukow, our last meeting of the day, we were joined by runners from the local running club and later on by exuberant children from the local school, who were running even with the backpacks.

In the town hall we met the mayor and it was great to relax and chat with the children.

A special mention must go to Shayvia. Mark and Ondrej were still suffering from a virus, so Shayvia consulted her mother, who is a doctor, and generously brought us much needed medication.

Tomorrow another day, and another country, as we look forward to crossing the border into Belarus.

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Distance: 150km

Team Members:
Jarek Werner (Poland), Mark Collinson (England), Ondrej Vesely (Czech Republic), Pawel Szymanski (Poland), Valentine Bebik (Ukraine).

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

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