Ahhhhh... good morning! Today we had a more or less relaxed start. We left the children's camp where we had stayed overnight, at 9:30. THANKS again for your hospitality and the amazing performances - we simply loved it...

Jewgenij is sharing a piece of chocolate with a dwarf.

While waiting for the runners to come, Conny could not resist and just had to get behind the wheel of Lonya's Lada. Lonya is a very good friend of ours and has been helping with the Run for years.

Stepanka and Lenka in our "living room." It is actually quite true. We spend so much time in and around the van (except when we are sleeping or running) that the van feels like home after a while.

Finally, we reached the sign to St. Petersburg.

Just in case you were wondering how far it is from St. Petersburg to Miami...

Once they got going we had a hard time stopping Ilya and Jewgenij. They just wanted to go for 5 km at first but then the boys felt so good that they just kept going for 13 km, at a very fast pace.

Just before the boys finished, a taxi stopped and out came these two friendly people. They took a picture of the runners and so we took one of them with the torch.

Our busy organizer Svetlana on the phone once again, but this time while running...

We had a short break before the last 7 km through the city of St. Petersburg. A big group of runners was waiting for us - the Russian World Harmony Run team. There was enough time shake hands, give an interview and to take pictures of the surroundings.

I also could not help but get in Lonya's Lada and take it for a spin. It was quite a change to drive this 22-year-old car. No power steering, no brake assistance - just the pure spirit of a car from the 80's...

The big group on its way to the Palace Square...

Some people were simply absorbed into the group from the sidewalk.

Many people where gathered in the Palace Square when we arrived. We climbed on the stage and after speaking briefly about the Run and its goals, we introduced the team and sang our WHR song.

The torch was passed around. Young and old alike were happy to hold the torch and hand it to the people around.

It's just great to see all these shining faces...

On the left you can see our new team member, Thomas from Hungary. He came to replace Marianna who has to go home tomorrow. Thank you Marianna, and goodbye !!

- Martin Leitner

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