relay of followers of spiritual leader

Sri Chinmoy, is striving to spread

only peace.

The run, a relay which aims to

unite people in more than 100

countries, will take the ''Harmony

Torch'' more than 15,000km around

Australia. A team of runners from 16

nations is to carry it.

The journey began on April 27 in

Brisbane and is scheduled to finish

there on August 15.

The movement aims to be an

apolitical exercise in spreading

goodwill. Chinmoy, an Indian

philosopher and guru, founded the

relay, formerly known as the Peace

Run, in 1987.

Twelve members of the team

jogged from Queanbeyan to the

lawns of Parliament House for a

reception yesterday.

People associated with the relay

rejected comparisons with the

Olympic Torch Relay and said they

were trying to stay positive.

Captain of the running team

Pravhakar Street, 41, of Canada, said

the relay was a tremendous

opportunity to see Australia and

bring forth a message.

''Carrying the torch we feel

represents our heart's hopes for

world harmony.

''Passing it from hand to hand and

heart to heart, to children,

politicians, Aboriginal leaders ... we

feel like if we can do a small part in

bringing about some inspiration in

each life ... then it's tremendously

gratifying for us and we feel like we

are doing something for the world.''

The relay presents a considerable

physical challenge for its runners.

''Every day we run individually 10

to 20km. Some days we're tired and

struggle through those kilometres,

some days we feel great.

''The beautiful countryside and

ocean view carries us, lifts our spirits

and gives us joy. Yesterday we saw

our first kangaroos outside of

Canberra.

''It's always an experience of

newness and that's one of the most

inspiring things about the run.''

National and ACT Coordinator

Prachar Stegemann said, ''By

bringing together a team of so many

runners from around the world, it

shows us that we can work together

if we have a common goal and that

common goal is peace and

harmony.''

To day , an interfaith breakfast at

McKillop House is planned along

with a 3.2km Peace Race at

Westbourne Woods in Yarralumla.

Tomorrow, there will be a

reception for the runners in Civic

Square. After their time in Canberra,

runners will take the torch to

Melbourne where it is scheduled to

arrive on May 21.