Participants in the world’s largest torch relay, the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run, caught up with Whakatāne Mayor Victor Luca this week.

Team members from Holland, Australia, United States and Puerto Rico are running from Auckland to Rotorua between February 12 and February 21, promoting international co-operation and goodwill.

They are visiting 20 schools with a flaming relay torch and meeting with local officials along the way.

Founded by Indian spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, the event started in 1987 and has been to 165 countries. This year is the 17th edition of the New Zealand Peace Run and has been supported by several prime ministers such as John Key and Jacinda Ardern, and sportspeople such as Alison Roe, Tom Abercrombie and Ritchie McCaw.

The runners met up with Dr Luca on Tuesday afternoon and were planning to visit Nukuhou North School on Wednesday.

Dr Luca described them as “very optimistic folk”.

See www.peacerun.org for the route through Auckland, BOP and the Waikato.