Run to pass through 34 NZ towns and cities

Media release – September 11, 2008

New Zealand’s World Harmony run to pass through 34 NZ towns and cities

New Zealand’s World Harmony Run to support world peace will pass through 34 towns and cities before it ends in Christchurch on October 5.

The 3544km event started from Cape Reinga this week with a series on NZ runners holding the flaming Harmony torch. A special event to highlight the walk was held in Auckland’s Aotea Square today.

National rental car and campervan company Jucy is a major sponsor of the event providing three eight-seater support vehicles for the entire journey.

Local athletes, school children, leaders and sports personalities including patron and All Blacks coach Graham Henry will support the relay. The run – in 100 countries – is the largest participation relay in history and does not seek money or highlight any political cause; simply it wants to spread goodwill among people.

Jucy chief executive Tim Alpe said the World Harmony Run fitted with the Jucy philosophy.

``We have nearly 2000 hire vehicles in New Zealand and Australia and we rent these out to people all over the world so we like the idea of goodwill and friendship. That’s why we are in the business. This is a great event to get behind,’’ Alpe said.

The World Harmony Run was launched in 1987 by the late Sri Chinmoy who received UNESCO‘s Nehru Medallion, along with several honorary degrees from noted universities.

The New Zealand run will pass through Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Whangarei, Wellsford, Auckland, Bombay Hills, Hamilton, Rotorua, Taupo, Chateau National Park, Mangaweka, Palmerston North, Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, Wellington, Kaikoura, Picton, Nelson, Motueka, Puponga, Kohatu, Westport, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Haast, Wanaka, Queenstown, Te Anau, Invercargill, Bluff, Stewart Island, Dunedin, Timaru and Christchurch.

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