We start from Torzhok, going first to Vyshniy Volochek. It is a long way, with straight roads and a lot of traffic. This part of Russia radiates with a fresh green and the weather is hot. The Russian people are still smiling at us: the torch flame illumines the hearts and the faces of the people. Even the faces of passing drivers are transformed.

At the border of the Tver and Novgorod regions a journalist makes his rendezvous with us, and we take a lunch break. We finish in Volday: runners on the road, Dipavajan filming with his video camera, Martin taking photos, Unnatishil driving and smiling… Duranta speaks on the microphone. He sounds like a true sports commentator, and we are just waiting for him to shout “GOAL!”

Valday is a city of dazzling natural beauty: deep fresh forests, and majestic lakes. Here one can also find beautiful churches, a monastery, and other fine pieces of architecture.

Also today our Russian team members invited us for a banya . This time the sauna was even hotter, and Phillip made a 15-minute program for the men, throwing water on the stove at regular intervals, adding some mint-oil, and fanning the hot steam on us with his towel. Needless to say, we were all aching for a cold shower afterwards. We even had a mini swimming pool to relax in. Some local members of the marathon team from Novgorod had come to prepare a hot dinner for us. It was very good: a vegetable and mushroom soup, cheese salad, cabbage rice, and traditional fluffy Russian marshmallows for dessert.

Some local bards and singers, most of them youths, had come to give us a little concert with traditional songs from the region, accompanied by the sound of acoustic guitars. The main performer was very enthusiastic to meet us and was completely absorbed by the music he was performing. In the final song tears were streaming from his eyes. It was getting late, but still the vans had to be cleaned, and after this some ice cream had to be eaten. The women even went for a swim in a lake with very fresh and clear water.

Distance: 165km

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