Participants in the World Harmony Run around the coast of Ireland arrived in Letterkenny on Tuesday evening and departed for Sligo yesterday morning. The group, which was met by a number of runners from Letterkenny Athletic Club on the dual carriageway near the en of their trip from Ballycastle on Tuesday, were joined by a number of local Special Olympians for the final mile.
The World Harmony Run, which was led to the front door of the Letterkenny Public Services Centre by Stephanie Moore, were officially welcomed by Town Mayor, Councillor Victor Fisher.
Former Olympian, Danny McDaid, who represented Ireland in the 19
72 and 1976 Games, was presented with a participants medal by the group at a special ceremony held to mark the occasion.
In his address, the double Olympian praised those involved in the run, adding that seeing the torch brought back many fond memories for him.
It was, he stressed, a great honour, to have represented Ireland at the Olympics.
Before departing the Cathedral Town, the group paid a visit to Ballyraine National School and Lurgybrack National School yesterday morning.
The World Harmony Run is the largest participation sports relay and harmony run in history, its simple purpose being to foster friendship, goodwill and harmony among the one hundred participating nations.
The run embarked upon a one-of-a-kind journey yesterday, running an entire loop around Ireland’s coastline. The run began in Dublin on Monday, the team will visit Sligo, Westport, Galway, Ennis, Limerick, Cork, Waterford and Wexford before arriving in Dublin for the closing ceremony on 3rd April - a distance of over 1400km in just 14 days.
Along the way, the group will join with schools, community groups, running clubs, local councils and government representatives to share their inspiration for a better world. Those taking part may do the running, but they say it is the involvement, encouragement and support of ordinary people all around the world that truly makes the World Harmony Run special.
