A torch symbolically lit in New York in April arrived in Queenstown via Wanaka on Saturday as World Harmony runners travelled en route from Christchurch to Dunedin offering hope for a more peaceful world.
"The final few kilometres into Queenstown were a great end to our first week of running on the World Harmony Run 2010.
"It was a great experience carrying the World Harmony Torch into Queenstown.
"We got a lot of support on the road with motorists tooting and pedestrians waving and clapping.
"Finishing on the waterfront was really stunning," torchbearer Vajin Armstrong, of the Czech Republic, said.
Tim Cranfield, of Christchurch, is one of seven New Zealand runners in the team, the remaining five runners coming from the Czech Republic and Guatemala.
Cranfield, an ultra-marathon runner who completed the 2008 World Harmony Run, said conditions on the Wanaka to Queenstown leg had been "beautiful".
Cranfield said the non-commercial, "consciousness-raising" marathon sought to encapsulate the values of "peace and harmony".
While travelling through New Zealand, the team will visit schools in more than 30 towns and cities and involve pupils, community groups, civic and political leaders, and media and sporting personalities.
The message "harmony begins with me", was introduced by the run's founder, peace activist Sri Chinmoy.
Cranfield said the run also recognised certain people as "harmony builders" with the Torch Bearer Award, an honour granted to local people who had helped to foster harmony and peace.
Green Party MP Gareth Hughes recently received the award for his peace and activism efforts around the world.
Former patrons of the event include Mother Theresa and Nelson Mandela and New Zealand sportsmen and women Precious McKenzie, Allison Roe, John Walker, Rod Dixon, the late Arthur Lydiard, Ian Ferguson and Graham Henry.
Yesterday, the team set a more leisurely pace with a 47km run from Queenstown to Kingston.
