Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run passes through Manjimup Primary schools

A global run for peace passed through Manjimup Primary schools last week on its journey through the South West with a team of 16 national and international runners taking part.

The peace brigade carried a flaming torch across the Nullarbor to arrived in Manjimup and Bridgetown on June 5 to visit schools and civic leaders for the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run.

The run began on April 26 in Canberra and runners have travelled from 13 different nations to be part of it.

They aim to cover 15,000 kilometres in 111 days running around the entire country, with two runners completing the entire loop.

Founded in 1987 by Sri Chinmoy, the Peace Run has grown to be the world’s longest torch relay and each year it visits around 60 nations.

It is estimated more than eight million people have held the torch from Nelson Mandela, Pope Francis, Cathy Freeman, Mikhail Gorbachev, Carl Lewis, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mother Teresa and Muhammad Ali.

The list now includes thousands of Australian school children including students from Nannup District High School, Manjimup Primary and East Manjimup Primary Schools and Bridgetown, Greenbushes and Balingup schools.

Manjimup shire president Donelle Buegge received the torch on behalf at Manjimup Art Gallery and said it was an important reminder to have moments of peace and reflect on what is important in life.

“I am awe in how far you have come and how far you have to go,” she said.

Canberra marathon runner Prachar Steggman said the run was inspirational for both the runners and community members who embrace it.

“It gives you hope for the future when you realise that nearly everyone wants peace,” he said.