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The Flower Run's (Kwietny Bieg) basic goal is underlining the efforts of Karol Wojtyła to strengthen the sense of community among Poles as a Christian nation in united Europe.
The Flower Run
May 27 - June 10 2006
14000 runners participated in the
2006 Flower Run, the third held thus far.
206 municipalities cooperated in forming a
Municipal Organizational Committee to organize the Run.
The Run took place concurrently along two different routes:
- 1000 laps around Cracow's
Błonia – 3530km
-along the borders of Poland - following a series of roads connecting
municipal towns, beginning in Jabłonka (Nowy Targ County, Małopolskia
Voivodship) – 3530km.
Inception
The First Flower Run took place on June 10 2004 as one of many events commemorating the 25th anniversary of John Paul II's first pilgrimage to his homeland. About 80 people took part in the Run, which began in Wadowice, Oświęcim, Piekary Śląskie, and Cracow. The finish took place on Cracow's Błonie with a ceremonial Apeal to Freedom.
The second Run was organized
by Cracow's Dystans
Runner's Club. The race was
conceived as a relay run around Cracow's Błonie - 1000 laps, making for a
total distance of 3530 kilometers, or the equivalent of the perimeter of
Poland's borders. 600 runners participated
over a period of two weeks.
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| Braniewo | Cisna | Czarna | Czeremcha |
A excerpt from the Flower Run's Charter:
"The Flower Run circumscribes the lands of Poland as well as its inhabitants. The physical effort associated with the Run transpires in a specific geographical area marked by Poland's borders. This occurs through the efforts of a relay team composed of inhabitants of all border municipalities, a team that joins runners from all parts of Poland.
The Run is a physical endeavor, but it is also an expression of fundamental truths concerning people and land. It forces the realization that changing the face of "this land" comes at a price because the change in question is so valuable. The elements that compose the Run are therefore work and culture. The Flower Run is an expression of a certain way of being. This is the conclusion drawn from the experiences and testimonials of runners who have participated in past years, and it is also the natural conclusion to draw from the nature of the endeavor."
The Flower Run joins the sweat of physical exertion and exhaustion with the beauty of flowers laid on the Błonie.
It is a means of commemorating that which was given and assigned to us in 1979.
It is a reminder that we are called to change the face of this earth through cooperation amongst ourselves and with the Holy Spirit, and that we should do this through work and culture, through exertion and beauty, through the courage that comes from being strong in faith, hope, and love.
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| Darłowo | Dębowiec | Dubienka | Gdańsk |
A message from Cardinal Dziwisz to participants:
Thank you for the information concerning the "Flower Run"
commemorating John Paul II's first pilgrimage to his homeland in June 1979.
In the days in which the Holy Father Benedict XVI is visiting our homeland,
a social event will being - a run along the borders of Poland.
May the exertion and effort of many people be not only a rememberance of our
beloved John Paul II, but also a reminder of the evangelical assignment he
bequeathed to us both by his example and through his words, so that we may
come to repeat the words of Saint Paul:
"I
have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous judge, shall give me at that day"
(2Tm, 7-8).
I enclose my best wishes for divine patronage and send my sincere greetings.
Archbishop Metropolitan
Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz
These are snapshots from a few of the 206 participating municipalities.
Contests
The "Flower Run Photo Essay"
Contest - thousands of runners and the
drama of combating weather conditions and fatigue make for an interesting
topic for a series of photographs.
The Flower Run Account
Contest.
Engaging in physical and social activities.
conquering personal weaknesses, and dedicating free time to the celebration
of important events in our history brings about reflection. This contest is
designed for these impressions.
The following is an excerpt from one such essay:
"In Górowo Iławeckie I lost my voice. Seriously. I became mute. Literally and figuratively. Running in a joyous crowd of several hundred, maybe even a thousand people, children and adults, I had tears in my eyes. The bearded man who had accompanied me from Białystok was also moved. Ask him during any coming marthon, 100 km run, or any other extreme event what he remembers most from the relay run around Poland, and I'm willing to bet that he'll answer with two words: Górowo Iławeckie. The largest number of participants on the entire route, the roadside decked out in ribbons, flowers, and pictures like for Corpus Christi, Children's Day superimposed on the day of the run and organized like a holiday celebrating the family. The atmosphere was like that of a major holiday. And that joyous run, unlike anything you encounter at sports competitions."
The "Flower
Municipality" Contest. The goal of this competition is building interest
among local communities in cooperation for social initiatives underlining
the meaning of Karol Wojtyła's work towards strengthening the general Polish
community.
The Flower Run can serve as a platform for integrating these initiatives on
a national level.
At the same time, participation in this contest will furnish municipalities
with an opportunity for self-promotion and provide young people with a
chance to participate in national campaigns and conferences with their peers.
The ten most highly evaluated municipalities will receive computer equipment designated for use in local schools. Sponsors may also offer additional awards in accordance with their means.
Organization
The organizational resolutions are described in the by-laws of
individual relay teams. They will be made available on the Flower Run's
website, www.kwietnybieg.pl
Sponsors
Stowarzyszenie
10 czerwca
www.10czerwca.pl,
Fundacja
księdza Siemaszki
www.fund.pl
Krakowski Klub Biegacza Dystans www.dystans.krakow.pl
Stowarzyszenie biegajznami.pl www.biegajznami.pl
Stowarzyszenie Przyjaciół Zwierzyńca
Instytut im. Jana Pawła II w Krakowie www.janpawel2.pl
Kwietny Bieg 2006