The roads we ran on today were quite a bit better than the past few days as far as safety and traffic. The shoulders were wider and the traffic lighter, perhaps because it is Sunday. But the challenge was more with the weather, which is getting hotter and more humid.

Surya started out with a beautiful and challenging bridge, from Brunswick, GA to Jeckyl Island, GA.

Two of our three running teams were able to get their running done before noon. My team had the morning duty of making lunches for everyone, but we did start running our section of the route by noon, meeting some very nice people along the way. With no shade available at that time of day we could not stop for long as we had to get to Jacksonville before 2:30 for a very special ceremony.

We entered the Gator Bowl Athletic Complex Area a little ahead of schedule where our two other teams were waiting for us.

We were scheduled to run into a very big event called ‘The World of Nations’ in Metropolitan Park. Ida Broadnax, from the Parks and Recreation Department, kindly arranged for our participation in this big international festival.

Fitting in with our own theme of World Harmony and the UNESCO Rapprochement of Cultures theme which supports our own ideals, this festival was a perfect place to begin our trip in Florida and to end a hot day of running as well. Being escorted by security on electric carts, we slowly ran around the huge athletic fields which were filled with booths from many nations around the world. There was a wide array of ethnic foods, arts and crafts and other cultural displays including musical performances, dances, etc.

As we circled the ‘World of Nations’ with the torch symbolizing our common yearning for harmony and unity in diversity, I felt that our message was reaching more people in this short hour than it usually does in many days. It was so touching and uplifting to see hundreds of people sharing their own unique cultures with so many other people of differing backgrounds.

We stopped at the USA stage to offer a short ceremony where we were introduced by Tiffany, who also offered us a Proclamation from the mayor declaring May 2, 2010 as World Harmony Run Day in Jacksonville.

Many people came around afterwards to hold the torch, offering their own goodwill and prayers for a more peaceful and harmonious world. One could tell by their smiles that they truly were proud to be part of something that represents the world arena in a truly positive and constructive way.

Later in the afternoon we checked into our complimentary accommodations at the Crowne Plaza Hotel just outside of town. Their kindness in offering us these wonderful rooms was multiplied by the fact that we were able to get out of the sun early and, in my case, cool down in their indoor-outdoor swimming pool.

– Arpan

Distance: 96 miles

Team Members:
Arpan DeAngelo (New York), Atulya Lee Berube (San Diego), Yuyudhan Hoppe (Minnesota), Gabriel Pelletier (Canada), Mark Collinson (England), Kshetragna (Russia), Surya (Russia), Drsalu (Austria), Vladimir Salnicov (Moldova), Kokila Chamberlin (Wales)

Harmonemail:
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