Peace torch run participates in Kalispell parade

History’s largest peace torch run relay will be part of the Fourth of July parade in Kalispell.  

The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run is an international team from six different countries on a four-month journey across the U.S. and Canada to share a message that peace begins with the individual.  

The peace run team will cover 62 miles on July 4 running from Dayton to West Glacier on U.S. 2 passing the Peace Torch along the way. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and travels down Main Street.  

Along their routes, they meet with schools, youth organizations and groups to give local citizens an opportunity to express their hopes and dreams for peace. Runners offer educational presentations that promote self-esteem and the oneness of humanity.   

For over 35 years the Peace Run has traversed over 160 nations throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia as a symbol of humanity’s universal aspiration for a more peaceful world.  

A team of runners left New York City in April passing the Torch along the over 10,000-mile route.  The continuous relay will also run through three provinces of Canada during the four-month journey before arriving back in New York mid-August.  The European Peace Run started in Portugal in March and concludes in Hungary in October.    

Since the inaugural run in 1987, more than 7 million people have participated.    

The Peace Run was inspired by visionary Sri Chinmoy to give citizens a dynamic way to express their own hopes and dreams for a more harmonious world.  An athlete, philosopher, artist, musician and poet, Sri Chinmoy dedicated his life to advancing the ideals of world harmony and said, "How can we have peace?  Not by talking about peace, but by walking along the road of peace."   

For more information, visit peacerun.org.