Sri Chinmoy's Peace Run

U.S. Peace Run Passes Through Atlanta

Peace Runners
(Above: Adrenalin was up as the runners neared Centennial Park and the torch made its way past the international flags that fly over the former Olympic venue.)
April, 1997

The EarthChannel crew had the chance to meet runners from Sri Chinmoy's Oneness-Home Peace Run on May 1st as they made their way through Atlanta. The 50-state Peace Run route criss-crosses America, passing through over 1,000 U.S. cities and towns this summer. The 11,000-mile Peace Run is part of the 70-nation Peace Run that has been held every other year since its inception 10 years ago.

"As the Peace Run reaches its first decade, we are targeting our efforts toward America's young people," says Shambhu Vineberg, director of Peace Runs International, the non-profit organization formed to manage the event. "Our runners are meant to serve as role models, who will try to inspire a broader vision in today's youth. By meeting with children throughout the country and bringing them together in a national relay, we hope to make a positive impact on the youth of America."

The U.S. run began at United Nations Headquarters in New York on April 19th, 1997 and made it's way south at a rate of about 90 miles a day. Each runner carries the torch approximately 10 miles at a stretch. The torch itself must be refueled every two to three miles in order to keep its weight down.

Fortunately, the route passed within minutes of the EarthChannel offices and we were able to catch the approach to downtown Atlanta. We were already aquainted through our missions and just recently our Internet sites were featured together in a segment on CNN's Online. After meeting the crew and exchanging T-shirts, we headed down to Centennial Park, where a ceremony with Atlanta's mayor Bill Campbell was scheduled.

(Right Above: Mayor Campbell receives the torch from Peace Run Captain Arpan De Angelo.)

(Right Below: EarthChannel's MB Strickland receives the Torch from Shambhu Vineberg.)

(Above: Shambhu Vineberg joins runners for a splash in the Olympic fountain following the ceremony.)
Being part of the Peace Run ceremony in Atlanta's Centennial Park was both an uplifting and healing experience. Seeing the international unity and brotherhood present at the site of the Olympic bombing was a carthartic experience for the family at Earth Channel Communications. We would like to thank Peace Run International for including our city in its tour and blessing our park with its vision of peace.

For updates on the Peace Run and its itenerary or for more information on Peace Runs International, check out http://www.peacerun.com.