Italy 20 Maggio: Riva San Vitale - Lugano
Building Bridges
Another glorious morning as we awake. Today's run will takeus from Switzerland into Italy and back into Switzerland.
In Riva San Vitale the Mayor prepares to send us on our way
Today is his daughter's wedding day - and he is delighted that it coincides with the Peace Run visiting his town
He runs with us towards our next destination
A beautiful day running by the lakes
Crossing the border into Italy
in Porto Ceresio the Mayor welcomes the Peace Run
Many children are gathered with people from the town
The minute of silence for Peace is very powerful
Balloons are released with messages of Peace
The Mayor leads us to the local school
An elite team forges on through the forest on a mountain trail
A group of children from Cuasso al Monte greet us along the road and run with us
The Mayor holds the torch
In Ponte Tresa, we are met by both the Italian Mayor and the Swiss Mayor
Their towns are connected by a bridge over the river
Luigi Nonella and Tadesse Abraham escort the runners towards the bridge which is also the border
The bridge between the two countries was inaugurated as a Peace Bridge in 1992 - part of the Sri Chinmoy Peace Blossom programme
On the Swiss side we have a ceremony
This priest from Argentina offers an inspirational message
Mountain Silence perform lakeside sounds
The torch is held by a representative from the Bruno Groning group. Bruno Groning (1906-1959) was a German mystic who continues to inspire many people
A steep trail takes us up towards the town of Sessa
Children await us
The children lead the way to the centre of the town
More balloons are released
A serious pack of runners speeds up the pace under the blazing sun
We arrive at Lugano where the town is preparing for the Stralugano race the following day
Luigi Nonella, Swiss national coach, receives the Torch Bearer Award.
Tadesse Abraham also receives a Torch Bearer Award. Tadesse is an exceptional athlete and current European half marathon champion
The Mayor gives the Peace Run a very warm welcome
The runners are joined by Mountain Silence and the childrens choir for an arrangement of Peace songs by Sri Chinmoy
Children from the choir lead us to the start line for the children's race
Walking up to the start
And they are off!
