Team Captain Arpan brings home another inspired mile past the seemingly endless cornfields of Central Ohio.

Early morning running, especially in the summer is quite enjoyable for a few reasons. The foremost reason is that the sun is low and the heat is not intense yet. Today, luckily, even though the humidity was high, the sky was overcast with clouds which kept the sun from heating us even more. Running early allows you to wake up quickly and get your run over with before noon. Then you have more time for other things during the day.

This little Donkey was hee-hawing so loudly as the torch passed by that we just had to stop and say hello.

Viet Nam Veteran Jack Ford, who was an avid miler and basketball player in his younger days, wholeheartedly supported the spirit of The Run : “Harmony begins with me.”

Our morning team ran through the town of Fremont in northern Ohio. There were many farms, pastures and small rural neighborhoods that made for a peaceful run. But only until the traffic picked up on this very busy thoroughfare. Many big trucks started whizzing past us as time went on. The afternoon team had it much worse as the day was filled with truck traffic traveling on this secondary highway which was the only direct route to where we were going.

In Fremont we were greeted by the children and staff from the Fremont Recreation Camp. About 40 children and 10 adults including police officers and news media were there to welcome us. Some of the children had handmade welcome signs that reflected their enthusiasm and excitement in preparing to meet us. Edi, our runner at the time, was about a mile out of town, so while we waited for him Francesco and I introduced the Run to everyone and sang our theme song with them. When Edi approached carrying the Torch, everyone cheered and welcomed the runner with excited anticipation. We held a mini Harmony Run in the form of a Harmony Train complete with engine and caboose. Using my harmonica, I imitate the sound of a train and the children find it much easier to stay in a single line following the ‘engine’ who carries the Torch.

We are grateful to Marc Glotzbecker, Director of the day camp and all the staff who brought the children. Also we want to thank the children for their enthusiastic participation as well as the journalists April Love and Charles Longton from the News-Messenger who covered the story.

In the evening we settled into the Econo Lodge where we were offered three rooms to rest for the night. We offer gratitude to Sandy and Cathy for being so kind and welcoming to us.

Special thanks to the crew at Country Kitchen for providing such delicious meals.

Arpan and Team Harmony

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