Runners jog for Harmony

Runners, for the most part, lace up their sneakers and take off for a jog or faster-paced effort for the purpose of earning a personal-best time, winning a race, or becoming more physically fit.

The World Harmony Runners, however, run for what they call themselves: World Harmony.

On Tuesday, the World Harmony Runners made a stop in Norwalk as they approached a 48-contiguous states effort that started in New York at the United Nations Headquarters back in mid-April. The run--an effort to encourage world harmony through visits to schools, camps, senior centers, among other locations--was scheduled to be completed on Wednesday, back at the United Nations Headquarters.

Sutushti Lang, Connecticut coordinator for World Harmony Runners, and a former runner within the group, organized the visit to Norwalk. A group of a dozen or so Harmony runners participating in this leg of the event stopped at The Marvin at 60 Gregory Blvd. to meet with seniors and children from Marvin's senior center and children's center.

"It's an avenue of expression for them," Lang said.

The runners include several who run multiple legs of the course. The team has changed with new participants who pick up where other Harmony Runners stop in the torch-passing relay. They have passing relay. They have met an estimated 10,000 school children and community groups and civic leaders.

On Tuesday, the runners were greeted by Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia and other town and state officials, along with Norwalk Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik and Fire Chief Denis McCarthy.

The runners proceeded to the Stamford Boys and Girls Club en route back to New York. Runners have been offering educational presentations that promote self-esteem and friendship across the U.S.

"If you express (harmony) and your neighbor expresses it and your elected officials express it, eventually it will create a tidal wave of world harmony sometime in the near or distant future," Lang said.

Arpan DeAngelo, a Norwalk resident from 1974 to 1980, now living in Queens, N.Y., ran to Norwalk as part of the group.

"It's a fun experience. It's a lot of work but it's very rewarding because you get to meet people who are inspired by bringing harmony into their own lives and into their community," DeAngelo said.

DeAngelo said that young school children understand bullying on the playground, and talk about the importance of avoiding it when they speak with the runners. The Harmony Runners encourage them to be peaceful, cooperative and they learn to solve problems, he added. DeAngelo also said that the runners take the input and stories from those they meet and share them with others.

"I love the idea of bringing the children and senior citizens together. Hopefully we all learn to love each other and get along in this world," senior center resident Mae Giancotti said.

"It doesn't get any better than this," Moccia added. "It's a good day and I think all of the residents enjoyed it."

Since the inaugural Run in 1987, more than five million people have participated. Endorsements have come from many world figures, including Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev, Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa, as well as dozens of members of Congress, governors and mayors.

Andy Hutchison is a freelance writer from Fairfield County