Peace run highlights community spirit in Vaasa, Finland

Today, a peace run took place in Vaasa, Finland, as part of the International Peace Run event, which has been organized for over 35 years. The Finnish leg of the run stretches from Vaasa to Kristinestad and continues through Pori, Tammela, and Vantaa to Helsinki, with participants expected to arrive in the capital this Thursday. Each runner can choose a distance that suits them.

Local resident Iiris Nuuja, who has been involved since the event’s inception in 1987, is responsible for organizing activities in Vaasa and Kristinestad. Students from Hietalahti and Suvilahden schools participated in carrying the peace torch, starting from Kaarlela field this morning. Later, ninth graders from Merenkurkku school and fifth and sixth graders from Central School joined in.

Nuuja expressed delight over the community’s engagement, stating that it was surprisingly easy to involve schools and other groups in the event. The Peace Run is the world’s largest, longest, and apolitical event aimed at promoting unity and friendship through sports.

The symbolic torch, reminiscent of those seen at the Olympics, was lit by Pope Francis in the Vatican in March 2024. After making its way through various countries, the torch reached Vaasa, carried by an international group of runners who arrived from Sweden over the weekend. The event spans 27 European countries and will conclude in Hungary in October. Globally, the Peace Run takes place in a total of 100 countries across all continents.