Relay race Bolzano – Medjugorje

date: 27.04.2007.

Thirteen friends, all members of a sport group from Zanica near Bolzano in Italy, undertook a 640 kilometer relay race from their own parish to Medjugorje, which they did in a spirit of pilgrimage. Each day they either walked or ran from 7.00 am until 8.30 pm. The participants rotated in relay every 12 kilometers, whether running or walking, each one according to his own capability. One of them even walked for two kilometers despite being disabled. Seven days were required to complete the journey from Bolzano to Medjugorje in this manner. From Bolzano they went to Ancona where they took a boat for Split, after which they journeyed onwards via Stobreč, Šestanovac and Zagvozd, Slivno, Vitina and Ljubuški to Medjugorje itself. They used two campers in which they spent each night.

            Whether walking or running, the participants wore around their necks medals of the Queen of Peace, which were made in Italy for this special occasion. They have fond memories of many kind and touching encounters with people hitherto unknown to them, whom they met along the way, and who helped them in various ways.

            Before leaving Bolzano, the parishioners entrusted to them their prayer intentions and gifts, which these unusual pilgrims brought to the altar of the church in Medjugorje during the Italian Mass.

            Every year, this group organizes a similar relay race to one or other of the various shrines. Among the most important of the European shrines, they have already visited Lourdes, Fatima, Loreto, Czestochowa and Santiago de Compostela, and next year they intend to go to Jerusalem.