We run for many different reasons: to look good; to stay healthy; to clear our heads or just because we enjoy it. There’s no right or wrong reason to run (except maybe running away from a policeman or after a cat – I disagree with that).

Today I’ve been reminded of two other reasons why people run. In Adelaide today was the Santa Run – a charity 4K race. Hopefully many of the people motivated to run it for others will continue to run for themselves.

I didn’t run in the Santa Run. Instead I ran to a park and ran the ‘Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile’. This is a ‘permanently marked measured mile for the use of runners in our pleasant and peaceful parklands’.

The route goes round the park and the Peace Pole. So there’s another few reason to run: contemplation, meditation, to show your support to a cause or to find your own inner peace. I got lost while running it though and ended up running two peace miles – I was just too peaceful I forgot where I was going.