Warm welcome for World Harmony runners

9:22am Monday 9th October 2006

Oxford residents of all nationalities gave a warm welcome to runners taking part in a European torch relay.

Founded in 1987, the World Harmony Run is a global event that sees an international team carry a flaming torch through more than 100 countries to promote international friendship and under- standing.

Those taking part in the European leg, which began in Lisbon in March and has passed through Rome, Sarajevo, Istanbul, Moscow, Berlin and Paris, visited Oxford on Saturday.

They were greeted in Gloucester Green by a throng of wellwishers, including Sheriff of Oxford, Susanna Pressel.

Oxford event organiser Julia Molden said: "The run is about creating goodwill among people of all nationalities and strengthening international feeling."

On Friday, the runners visited Larkrise Primary School, Oxford, where children were invited to hold the torch and talk to the runners.

The run finishes at the British Museum in London tomorrow.