Tag Archives: John O’Groats to Land’s End

World Harmony Run GB 2011 (12th June – 2nd July)

As the countless drops

Of the boundless ocean

Or the myriad leaves

Of a huge banyan tree

Peacefully remain side by side

Even so all human beings

Will someday live side by side

In a perfect oneness-world.

~ Sri Chinmoy

(See: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/great_britain/news/2011.html for the daily web reports).

On the off years when there is not a continuous route through continents, each country organises special events and in 2011 the GB Team organised an international torch relay from John O’Groats to Land’s End. I was the Regional Co-ordinator for the South West.

Once again I’ll let the photos do the talking 🙂

The route from Bristol to Land’s End:

A Bristol
B Wells
C Glastonbury
D Taunton
E Cullompton
F Exeter
G Dawlish Warren
H Torquay
I Dartmouth
J Kingsbridge
K Plymouth
L Looe
M Fowey
N St Blazey
O Eden Project
P St Austell
Q Truro
R St Agnes
S Porthtowan
T Land's End

Southwest schedule:

Date	From	To	Total Miles
Tuesday 28th June	Bristol	Exeter	72
Wednesday 29th June	Exeter	Plymouth	77
Thursday 30th June	Plymouth	Eden Project	40
Friday 1st July	Eden Project	Marazion	54
Sdaturday 2nd July	Marazion	Land’s End	21
Total			264

Generally when the European route comes through Britain we have never had the opportunity to visit the southwest so this was an amazing chance to showcase the region, and especially Cornwall to the runners. It was an opportunity for many people and children to experience that they too can make a difference and world harmony begins with them.

We assembled one of the most experienced international team of runners and they were a joy to work with and they responded in equal measure.

We visited many schools where we gave presentations and gave the children the opportunity to hold the World Harmony Run torch and make a wish for peace and harmony as we teach them the motto, “Harmony begins with me”.

World Harmony Run
Means the beauty
Of the universal heart
And the fragrance
Of the transcendental soul.

Sri Chinmoy, My Christmas-New Year-Vacation Aspiration-Prayers, Part 57, Agni Press, 2008.

 

        

When the Team reached Bristol the glorious weather began and we were blessed with the most wonderful summer weather of lovely heat and sunshine.

At the Eden Project we presented Torch-Bearer Awards[1]. These are presented to members of the community that are beacons in promoting peace and harmony.  We presented the Torch-Bearer Awards to Tim Smit (the then Chief Executive and co-founder of the Eden Project), Gaynor Coley (the then Managing Director of the Eden Project) and Ken Radford (owner of People and Gardens http://www.peopleandgardens.co.uk/ )

How can we have peace?

Not by talking about peace,

But by walking

Along the road of peace.

Sri Chinmoy

On occasion of the WHR visiting the Eden Project 30 June 2011.

By the time we reached Penzance even I couldn’t believe how glorious the weather was and showcased Cornwall to its best. Our international runners from as far as America and Australia couldn’t believe they were in Britain.

     

  

It was also a great occasion to introduce the World Harmony Run to my community of Penzance where I’m from and for my family to hold the torch.

We were very grateful for the Cornish Pirates Rugby Club to receive the Torch and we had a wonderful time meeting the players and the staff.

  

Our final stretch of the run was from the Minack Theatre along the coastal footpath to Land’s End.

     

 

 

 This was a great way to end the run and it took some time to get to Land’s End as the runners just had to stop and stare at the beauty around at every cove.

The outer world
Needs
The beauty of harmony.

Sri Chinmoy, Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, Part 50, Agni Press, 2009.

The cliffs and the sea were just stunning.  I couldn’t stop smiling.  My cheeks and not my legs were aching by the end of the day.

[1] http://www.peacerun.org/torch-bearer-award/  and Great Britain recipients: http://www.peacerun.org/gb/torch-bearer-award/