The City of Niles will be recognizing relay runners participating in the World Harmony Run at approximately 9:10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 28.

Three to four international relay runners will pass through the City of Niles and make a brief stop at City Hall.

“The City of Niles is happy to welcome these peacekeepers to our city,” Mayor Michael McCauslin said. “This is an important endeavor deserving of our support and our recognition. We invite members of the Niles community to come to City Hall that morning to encourage these people who work so hard to remind us all how important the peace cause is in our world.”

The World Harmony Run is not associated with any political cause, there is no fee charged for participating, and no funds are being raised. It is a universal statement of the potential for peace based on the idea that peace begins within the individual, and that each of us can influence the course of progress towards peace.

The relay runners will be escorted by Niles City Police from the U.S. 12 bypass and onto Business U.S. 12 and will come directly through downtown Niles. They are scheduled to make the stop at City Hall where City Administrator Terry Eull will welcome them to the City of Niles. The runners will take refreshments at City Hall and give a brief statement to introduce those assembled with their mission. Afterwards, they will receive a police escort as far as the city limits on their way to M-60 and their journey to Three Rivers, Constantine, Kalamazoo and ultimately, New York City.

This is a community event and everyone is invited to come to City Hall to see the runners as they progress with their lighted torch. Refreshments will be served.

“We want them to know that they are always welcomed here in the City of Four Flags. As the mayor of Niles, Michigan, I welcome the runners to our city and thank the many volunteers who work selflessly to make this event possible,” McCauslin said. “When the Harmony Run reaches our city, our citizens wish to celebrate the countless steps these dynamic runners have taken to educate and inspire Americans to strive for harmony at home, in schools and communities, and in our Nation.”

The World Harmony Run is a global relay that seeks to promote international friendship and understanding. As a symbol of harmony, runners carry a flaming torch, passing it from hand to hand travelling through over 100 nations around the globe. The World Harmony Run strives to create goodwill among peoples of all nations.

The World Harmony Run (previously known as the World Peace Run) is an international running organization that encourages personal growth through athletics. The team was founded by peace advocate and sports philosopher Sri Chinmoy, who is renowned throughout the sporting community for his contributions to running, and especially his avid support of ultra marathon races.