We awoke in Portland to the smell of the ocean and the sight of thick sea mist and fog. Not since the west coast have we seen the ocean and it was a delight to run on Route 1 south hugging the coastline as we ran from Maine and back into New Hampshire.

As the morning wore on the sun burnt off the early morning sea mist to reveal blue skies and a glorious sun.

When we stopped at a gas station, for some unknown reason the battery went flat on one of our vehicles. Cheryl from the gas station and a passing driver kindly helped us out and gave us a jump-start. And the coffee we bought from the gas station also jump started us!

And by the time we caught up with Vladimir, who was running ahead, he had run over 5 miles in one stretch.

Along the way people waved and some even stopped. One of those people was the remarkable Janet Hamel who bought a World Harmony Run t-shirt from us and wanted to know so much about the run. She entertained us with her singing and joke telling.

Another wonderful person who stopped to talk to one of our runners was Teressa and her delightful son Charlie. She invited the team back to her family restaurant the Seafood Center in Arundel on Route 1 where we thoroughly enjoyed some homemade ice cream.

On a hot afternoon it was just what we needed – for the men’s team to cool down after their morning running and for the women’s team to prepare them for their running later in the afternoon.

Lacy who worked at the restaurant and most cheerfully served us held the torch whilst we ate our ice cream!

We had a great police escort through Portland and South Portland. Thank you so much Officer Tully from Portland, and Officer MacVane from South Portland.

Our only planned ceremony of the day was at Camp Ketcha, Scarborough where we have been visiting for many years of the run.

The children singing the World Harmony Run song and the Directors of the camp, Tom Dougherty and Liz Tully, warmly welcomed us.

The children had many questions for us even before we started our presentation!

They were a real joy to be amongst. At the end each age group team ran the torch in relay to one another.

For some runners the day was complete with a refreshing swim in the Atlantic Ocean.

We also had an unplanned ceremony when Pujari and Dhima ran into this wonderful group of children and adults. These types of ceremonies are all too rare and ever so sweet!

And a final thank you to our longtime friends and supporters at Shel-Al Campground in North Hampton, New Hampshire. We really enjoy our stays at this great campground.

– Mark and Atulya

Distance: 82 miles

Team Members:
Atulya Berube (San Diego), Drsalu Gruenstaeudel (Austria), Vladimir Salnacov (Moldova), Mark Collinson (England), Kokila Chamberlain (England), Surya Smolennikova (Russia), Kshetragna Ulanova (Russia), Dima Grygorievski (Ukraine), Sukhada Korshunova (Russia), Nisanga (Bosnia), Balavan Thomas (England), Pujari Schaffer (USA)

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.

Gallery: See more images!