PORT ANGELES –– The Sri Chinmoy Oneness Home Peace Run, a global peace torch relay, will stop in Port Angeles on Thursday before the torch is passed to another runner in Victoria on Friday.
A ceremony for the runners is scheduled at The Gateway pavilion, on the corner of Lincoln and Front streets, at 2:45 p.m. Thursday.
Deputy Mayor Cherie Kidd will welcome them.
“They’ve been guests before, and we’re delighted they use our community as one of the important stops on their international journey,” Kidd said.
She said the run honors the peace between the United States and Canada by passing the torch between the international borders.
Following the opening ceremony, at 4 p.m., police will escort the runners up Lincoln Street and over to the Port Angeles unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula at 2620 S. Francis St.
The Rev. Olaf Baumann of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will provide a closing benediction for the ceremony, Kidd said.
The runners will travel on the MV Coho ferry Friday to pass the torch to a Victoria representative before beginning the Canadian segment of the run.
Since its start in 1987, the run has traveled through more than 100 nations.
This year’s run started in New York City; stopped in Tijuana, Mexico; and will travel through southern Canada before returning to New York.
“We’re happy to welcome them in Port Angeles,” Kidd said. “I’m looking forward very much to greeting them.”
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
