The women's team started the day by running 7.6 miles on the beautiful Empire State Trail into Albany.
We were joined by three local runners who happily carried the torch for about 5 miles.
The trail went along the Hudson River. The nature all around really was incredibly beautiful.
Meanwhile some of us team participated in the 38th Annual 5km Run for the Roses at beautiful Grafton Lakes State Park. We had the opportunity to introduce the Peace Run to the runners.
There they met many happy runners who were eager to hold the peace torch and offer a wish for peace.
Here we have our 9 year old champion holding the peace torch. He participated in the 5k race and then also won first place in the 1 mile children's race.
Runners are smilers. A family of joyful runners.
Another lovely family of runners.
Many happy finishers spreading joy and happiness.
This little girl ran a wonderful 5k race before holding the peace torch.
Another proud 1 mile race finisherl.
At noon we were warmly invited to the Unity of Albany Church.
We met absolutely wonderful people there who shared our hopes for peace in the world. A big thank you to all, and especially Reverend Brigid Beckman, pictured holding the torch, who shared some beautiful words on peace with us.
Some of us took the opportunity to join a drum circle at the church.
All members of the church community got to hold the torch and offer a prayer for peace.
The Unity Church community provided us with a delicious homemade lunch buffet.
Our Italian team member with an Italian local.
After lunch we made our way towards the Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile. We were very happy to be be joined by local long-time Peace Runner and coordinator, Palash, pictured holding the torch, who drove up fro Catskill to join us!
Running down Albany's Clinton Avenue.
We also met some local kids on the way.
Beautiful paintings of Eastern Bluebirds, New York's official state bird, in the background.
The Peace Run Team gathering in front of the start/finish sign of the first Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile in the United States, inaugurated back in 1986.
We then of course ran together through the beautiful park of Albany Corning Preserve. Pictured holding the torch is one of our long-time Peace Runners and coordinators, Tilvila, who drove from Massachusetts to join us today!
The original sign proclaiming Albany as the world's first Sri Chinmoy Peace Capital. Peace Run founder, Sri Chinmoy, enjoyed a close friendship with Thomas Whalen, who was Mayor of Albany at the time and a great force for peace and progress.
A big thank you to one of our longest serving Peace Run Coordinators, Sutushti Laing, (not pictured but present), for organizing todays events.
And the running continues towards Vermont.
We met some more friendly locals along the way.
Amy and and her mother Sue were delighted to see the Peace Run van in Boyntonville as it was waiting for one of the runners. Sue met the Peace Run two years ago in the same village and still remembered vividly meeting peace runner, Arpan De Angelo. Back then she also wrote an article about the Peace Run in the local newspaper.
Todorka carrying the peace torch across the Hudson River.
Entering Vermont, we had the chance to run through one of the states many iconic and idyllic covered bridges.
We were very lucky to spend the night once again at the newly redecorated MilesToGo Farm, where some of the runners prepared a wonderful dinner for the team. A perfect ending to a beautiful day!
