1987 Peace Run Circles Globe through 6 Continents: Jul 1987 report

Filed under 2 or more | Peace walk/run for UN | Sport & Athletics

Members of the Peace Meditation Group have participated in and or supported the longest relay run in history – an unprecedented peace journey through six continents.

It has won the support of heads of state, major sports and entertainment figures and tens of thousands of ordinary people who have seen the flaming peace torch pass through their towns or villages.

The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run, says Sri Chinmoy, is “carrying a most special message of our Beloved Supreme” that now “is the time for peace to be established beautifully and powerfully on earth.”

The Peace Run, explains Shambhu N. Vineberg, its organizer and Executive Director, “is really a series of runs – each covering anywhere from a few kilometres to several thousand miles happening simultaneously in more than 50 countries. In each case a peace torch is passed from runner to runner in a symbolic effort to involve the whole world, one person at a time, in the peace process.”

Shambu is a former UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) staff member, who regularly attended the Peace Meditations led by Sri Chinmoy at the United Nations.

 

The global peace run event began April 27 in New York’s Battery Park, with the lighting of a peace torch by Sri Chinmoy, and then moved to the World Trade Center for a massive kick-off with live coverage on NBC’s “The Today Show.”

In hundreds of places along the 11,000-mile U.S. route, the runners were feted by local townspeople and city officials. Mayor Andrew Young ( a former Permanent Representative of the USA to the UN) greeted them in Atlanta, Georgia; a sheriff’s posse on horses escorted them into Fort Worth, Texas.

The 1,300-mile Japanese segment from Hokkaido to Okinawa received broad media coverage; during one 70- mile stretch, a local newspaper chartered a bus so several of its staff members and area runners could join the peace caravan.

Local runs and ceremonies were held in major cities and border crossings of eight West African countries; in Daloa, Ivory Coast, schools closed so children could line the streets and cheer the runners as they passed.

 

In Norway, marathon champions Grete Waitz and Ingrid Kristiansen carried the torch in Oslo.

 

Relays held in a number of European countries converged at the United Nations in Geneva, where special ceremonies were held.

The cross-Canada odyssey, which will eventually link up with the U.S. run for the final “victory lap” to New York, included a run-with the torch -into a Montreal Expos game.

The All-China Sports Federation sponsored the Beijing portion of the run.

In Iceland, the Prime Minister and party leaders conferring to form a new government took a brief recess to pass the peace torch.

 

In Australia, Prime Minister Bob Hawke and Opposition Party Leader John Howard jointly held the torch in an unusual gesture of unity.

 

The Prime Ministers of Canada and New Zealand also participated in the run.

AFS Intercultural Programs, a key supporter, produced a half-hour film on the run, which was broadcast by some 200 PBS stations nationwide. The film was produced by Marilyn Rasmussen, who was joined by Mokshagun Clarence Clemons as co-host.

Other celebrities participating in the run included award-winning songwriter Narada Michael Walden (who along with Sutunga and lyricist Jeffrey Cohen wrote the Peace Run theme song), Grace Slick of the singing group “Starship”, pop singer Carly Simon, actress Joanne Woodward and the Chicago Bears’ Willie Gault.

– Reference Note: A version of  above report first appeared in “Anahata Nada – the Soundless Sound” April – Jul 1987

 

Below example of media coverage in Western Africa:

Senegal, The Gambia, Liberia,  Ivory Coast,

Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria

PEACE TORCH REACHES LIBERIA

On May 1, 1987, the international team started from Senegal, carrying the flaming torch of peace . across that country to The Gambia, and Liberia. The team, now in the Ivory Coast; will be bearing the torch across that country on to Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria to end its unique tour of West Africa.

1987-05-mayt-world-peace-run-day-liberian-newspaperDownload PDF:

Click on image below for larger or different resolution Photo – Image.

 Reference Note – for background leading up to this event see: “Prologue 1976 – 1986 Activities for Peace, Harmony and the International Community’s Highest Goals”

  • History Continuity – early national and regional runs: Since the mid 1970′s Sri Chinmoy encouraged national and regional runs in support of the highest ideals of the international community. It was at the UN that the first big Global Relay Run and related events for Peace and Harmony was planned. Since then it has taken place in over 140 countries.
  • See also: History of development and expansion of Sri Chinmoy Oneness Home Peace and World Harmony Runs. www.worldharmonyrun.org/about/history/history_2011 From the Preface “It began in May 1986 when Sri Chinmoy asked, while we were walking through the hallowed halls of the United Nations, if I could organize a global Peace Run. The United Nations had proclaimed 1986 the International Year of Peace, and Sri Chinmoy wanted to offer a heartfelt and sincere expression of peace on a global scale.”