Leaving a nice place like Vinga for the sake of the rainy road ahead is not something easy, but the beauty of Arad described by our Romanian runners gave us the inspiration that we needed.

And indeed it is a very special place; the architecture really reminded us of western Europe.

Different schools and even the local University Aurelu Vlaicu were waiting for us at every corner in the city centre to greet us and join us at the city hall. There, the mayor George Falco received us in front of the magnificent Barroc edifice, and a crowd of cameras and microphones expected us for an interview... We really felt like VIPs for a while. The rector of the same university, Radu Joan and two professors of Mathematics also welcomed us.

We kept on running through the countryside to discover some of the Romanian secrets.

Zimandu Nou was the place, where the vice mayor Sabin Banichu ran 50 metres with the torch and afterwards the children from a local football team took over. He presented us with nice certificates.

We found some interesting people.

Maria even had the chance to get ahead with the daily report whilst others were playing football waiting for the runner to finish.

Some kilometres before Simand, Konstantin Morostes the mayor of the place, had come with the police to follow us through a real traffic jam. In his village we met many young people.

Our dynamic Team leader Pedja led us to the next meeting in Chisineu Cris, where we were most wonderfully welcomed.

The Mayor Burdah Gheorghe, said a few words, wished us the best on our road, and then invited us to a most generous lunch.

We first thought that we would never be able to run after such an invitation, but the enthusiasm of our local runners pulled us along.

And then the children on the road motivated the rest of us.

At the last meeting of the day, in Pilu, the closest municipality to the border, the kids had infinitely more energy than we had, but as always we spent more time playing with them as it was the end of the schedule for the day. Here the mayor of Moise also provided a delicious dinner, which we were able to enjoy at our leisure because this was our last stop for the day.

We would like to thank especially Mr. Marcony Joan, who not only gave us special presents, but also was behind all the successful presentations and meetings in this area. He is a president of the Olympic Committee for Arad and Doctor Professor in the University of Arad. He was happy to help us in our mission and we were moved by his commitment. With his family he was following the runners almost for two days. Our gratitude can hardly be expressed in words.

We felt we were going to leave the country like superstars with our friends of Romania. Thanks to all of them, because Romania left very good memories for all and next time they promised a visit to the castle of that strange person, you remember his name?

Team Members:
: Rosta Vagner (Czech Republic), Pierre Lantuas Monfouga (France), Valentine Bebik (Ukraine), Janos Derekas (Hungary), Jaromir Horejsi (Czech Republic), Natalyia Lehonkova (Ukraine), Pedja Knezevic (Serbia), Mariya Latinova (Bulgaria).

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