International peace run passes through Newark

Several runners who are part of an international torch relay for peace passed through Newark on Tuesday.

The runners came down Capitol Trail and stopped at Hillside Park, where they were greeted by Mayor Jerry Clifton. They then continued on to Rising Sun, Md., where they planned to stop for the night.

The runners started in New York three days prior and are embarking on a four-month, 10,000-mile journey around the United States.

The runners trade off running throughout the day while others ride in support vehicles. Over the four months, nearly 60 people are expected to participate in at least part of the run.

The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run was founded more than 35 years ago and has visited more than 160 countries. The contingent that came to Newark included runners from Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Hungary, Nepal, Mongolia and the United States.

A separate team is making it sway through Europe this spring and summer.

Runner Harita Davies, who is from New Zealand and now lives in New York, said that the peace run shows that no matter where you go, there’s a human aspiration for peace.

“Our differences fade away,” she said.