The loneliness of the long distance runner never really sets in while carrying the torch. There is almost always someone honking, waving or stopping to meet and greet us as we make our joyful way around this vast Country.

Runar, our newest addition from Iceland, brings a new energy and enthusiasm as we approach the final two home stretch to New York City.

Lifetime Peace advocate Earl Jones hosted the arrival of the team to Pittsburg, awarding us with medals, T-shirts, great food and arranging meetings with a very warm group of friends and well-wishers.

Our whole team went to a part of Pittsburgh called Greenfield to meet with Earl Jones of the ‘Peace on Earth’ organization that he started many years ago. Earl, a peace lover to the core, is well respected everywhere he goes and is well know her in the Pittsburgh area for his community involvement and commitment to family values. He has always welcomed our runs with open arms and many surprises.

Today we were greeted by Earl and a group of local firemen at a Giant Eagle Grocery store in Greenfield. The store manager, Loretta, and some of the staff including Jane and Gordon, offered us food drinks as we carried the Torch into the deli area with the firemen. Che, the lieutenant from engine company 13 and some of his men were thrilled to pose with us and some of the workers at the Giant Eagle.

The Runners received an escort of two fire trucks from The Pittsburg Fire Bureau’s Engine 12 Company through the streets of the city.

Earl presents a cake to Briju, Canada our other new team member and Francesco, Italy.

Soon we were off and running, with some of our runners being escorted by two giant fire engines a few miles south to Hazelwood. We ended up at Earl’s home with a beautiful garden next to it. His home is more like a museum filled with photos and memorabilia from years of service in this country as well as a few others. He has photos with great leaders as well as people from all walks of life all interested in the harmony that we also try to share as he does. Earl and his friend Ginger offered us more food as we had some time to dine with the firemen. We were also offered T shirts and hats and some important scrolls that were created by Earl. We are grateful to Earl and the firemen for offering us so many wonderful surprises and support. We left Hazelwood very happy and full at the same time. Luckily the running team that had to run out of there did not eat everything that was offered us.

Travis Hendell join Runar, Iceland for a few very hot and humid miles.

Fontaine Graham give Ulugbek, Uzbeckistan some company thrrough the hills of easten Pennsylvania.

As we ran north on route 8 towards Butler, the humidity and heat climbed and it became very difficult to run hard, especially up the long hills that began to appear. My team encountered a few high school cross country runners on the way out of Butler. First we met up with Travis Hendell, a senior and one of the best runners on his high school team. Luckily he took it easy on our runners as he accompanied us for six miles. Soon we met Fontaine Graham accompanied by her mom A.J. Fontaine is the captain of her running team. She ran two hilly miles with us before she had to go. We are grateful to these young and enthusiastic runners for coming out to share the miles and carry the Torch with us.

Our last ceremony was in Clarion at the YMCA outdoor pool. Mike Ebert, the Director, welcomed us last year to the ‘Y’, but unfortunately the children had to go home early by the time we were able to get there. Apologetically he had given us a large case of water, as I recall, and cheerfully offered that next year he would invite us to see more children perhaps at the pool.

This is the ‘next year’ and Mike stuck to his promise. Unfortunately though, there had been a storm with lightning just before we came to town so most of the children had to go home as the pool was closed for an hour. When we finally arrived there were still some children and their parents and all the staff including Mike. This made for a very nice ceremony which was covered by two local newspapers as well: the Clarion News and the Derrick Oil City News. Mike even invited us to swim in the very large pool as the sun had come out and the high humidity beckoned us to jump in and cool down. We are grateful to Mike and his staff for this event and the swim, as well as all the parents and children who stayed to share some of our sentiments and efforts for harmony and friendship.

We spent the night at the Microtel Inn and Suites in Clarion due to the kindness of the management there. It was a last minute find for us and it turns out that Diane had offered us rooms last year at another hotel in town. Thanks to her and Karen our stay in Clarion was quite pleasant and comfortable.

Another last minute find was the Perkins Family Restaurant across the street from the Microtel Inn. They offered us half price on our dinner which was generous and saved us time and effort to cook on this humid night.

Team Harmony

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