The international event, created to promote friendship and understanding, will visit Maitland on its 100-day journey across Australia with runners from 16 countries following a 15,000km route.

Runners carry a flaming torch as a symbol of harmony and pass it from hand to hand.

A special ceremony will be held when the torch arrives in Maitland Park at 12.30pm, where nine runners from the relay will display the torch and spokesperson for the event, Prabhaker Street will address the community.

Maitland Public School students will present a canvas to the runners that signifies their own concept of harmony and the ambitions of the relay itself.

Maitland Mayor Peter Blackmore will also present a certificate on behalf of the city.

“I will be extraordinarily proud as mayor of Maitland to be in attendance and to witness so many people, especially future leaders such as the Years 3, 4. 5 and 6 students from Maitland Public School, sharing in this wonderful event,” he said.

“I have no doubt that the performance of the Maitland Public School Band and, in particular, the loan trumpeter playing the World Harmony Run song will be especially moving.”

The run began in 1987 as the brain child of Sri Chinmoy, who believed that sport is a powerful instrument for promoting global harmony. Born in East Bengal (now Bangladesh) and a resident of New York City, Sri Chinmoy is internationally renowned for his numerous initiatives which have united people from many cultures and walks of life to work for a more fulfilling world.

The run, in its 21st year, involves more than 100 countries around the globe.

Prominent Australians including Alan Border, Manduwuy Yunupingu, Robert de Castella, Ron Clarke, Cathy Freeman, Mal Meninga and Prime Ministers such as Bob Hawke, Paul Keating and John Howard have taken part in previous years.

“Occasions such as these are a reminder that, in our often challenging and difficult world, there is always hope and the potential for a better future,” Cr Blackmore said.

“Let us all embrace the concept of the World Harmony Run and spread a message of goodwill, communication and shared endeavour.”