We started our morning with a wonderful breakfast organised by our fantastic host Mats Ohman. Once again the sky was a grey blanket of clouds with light drizzle falling on the runners as they ran.

We ran onwards on the E18 main road, which was busy with traffic. Us runners prefer quieter roads but the benefit to big roads is the many waves we receive from passing cars. Each car that flashes its lights or honks the horn fills the runner with joy like a little burst of energy. Either side of the road the countryside was an array of shades of green.

In the morning our instructions were to run straight ahead on the main road. It doesn’t get any simpler than that and yet one girl managed to get lost! Ondrej came up with a theory that goes as follows: For some girls, when told to run straight ahead running on the left side of the road, will turn left at any given opportunity. He has proved this theory!

Once we had found Sylka and everyone was accounted for we ran into the town centre of Karlstad. There we announced ourselves to the public and roused some interest and smiles.

One couple proclaimed that they had seen us two days ago in Uppsala. They were amazed to see us again. Other passers-by held the torch and some even ran with us.

Especially one girl from Sri Lanka was very supportive and enthusiastic.

Meanwhile our media publicity grows. Overnight we had made newspapers once more. An article regarding our run to the Picassco sculpture had appeared in two of Kristinehamns main papers. A TV reporter yesterday evening had also filmed us and Ondrej gave a live and inspiring radio interview today.

After a satisfying lunch of perfectly cooked pasta we took a detour off the main road and travelled through some breathtaking scenery. The countryside was so peaceful and filled with natures wonder. We found wild strawberries growing by the road although not enough to feed a team of 16 runners.

We came across many animals in the countryside including a curious wild goat. We tried to tell him not to talk with his mouth full but he wouldn’t listen!

These small roads swept through plains of crops and forests and then hugged closely to lakesides with jetties full of colourful boats. It was here we met a friendly Danish sailor who relaxed in comfort.

We also found a Viking Ship! This replica called “Glad of Gillberga” looked remarkably authentic and so did the Vikings on board.

Eventually we turned back on to the main road and ran onwards filled with inspiration from the beauty we had absorbed from the scenery. As an added bonus blue patches began to appear in the overcast sky. Little by little these pale blue patches began to grow vaster until the sky was clear and the sun was shining with all its might.

For the final 40 km towards Arjung the road began to meander around many lakes, each one totally tranquil with not even a ripple on the surface… well, until we jumped in for a swim! The water was so cold but very refreshing after a good day of running. We also met some people from down under as you can see.

At 6.30 pm we arrived in Arjang and ran to the centre square. There we were met by Lena Larsson from the local tourist board who very kindly organised accommodation and breakfast for us.

We ended our day with an exquisite Indian meal cooked by the girls. They really are fantastic cooks! However the boys don’t laze around either. The vans are cleaned inside and out everyday along with dirty cutlery after dinner. As they say “many hands make light work”! Spot the odd one out in this photo:

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Distance: 162km

Team Members:
Colm Magee (Ireland), Franz Hintereger (Austria),Gints Peleckis (Latvia), Jadranka Grbic (Serbia & Montenegro), Janos Derekas (Hungary), Jirka Albrecht (Czech Republic), Mark Collinson (England) Olesya Ilyasova (Russia), Ondrej Vesely (Czech Republic), Petar Mihaylov (Bulgaria), Petr Machacek (Czech Republic), Roger Rogge (Germany), Sylka Schmicker (Germany), Svetlana Gorshkova (Russia), Valentine Bebik (Ukraine).

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