Monday, 21 February 2011

International Running Flag of Friendship

I have this little South African flag that I carried with me during the Odyssey Ultra at the beginning of January. You can see it has a few battle scars from that race.


I’ve been thinking about a big flag with small flags from various countries on it for some time now and decided I can just as well start it with this little flag. I then decided as this flag went through a race with me why not cover a big flag with small flags that were carried through races?

My idea is to create the International Running flag of Friendship. This would be a white flag covered with small flags that were carried in races by anyone that would like to get their name on the flag like this:


The idea is to create a flag that look something like the example below.


I will still work out all the details but basically I will send the flag on its way around the world from South Africa to runners who would like to carry their country, state or province flag in a race and then attach it to the big flag signing their name beneath it. You will then send it to the next running friend to do the same. When full, the flag will be returned to me (hopefully) :) and I will then carry the International Running Flag of Friendship in a race of my choice to honor our friendship.

At the moment this is still just an idea, but I have a few plans to for the project. I’m thinking about a blog of its own to keep track and upload photos of the flag on its journey, a Facebook page, EPA and maybe some other places to keep everyone up to date. I will think about and post the rules and details over the next few weeks. In the mean time, please give me your feedback and thoughts about the idea.


After reading the first few comments I just want to add this: See red text above...you will carry a small flag and attach that to the big flag. You will not carry the big flag. I will carry the big flag once it is full and returned to me.

A happy week of running to you all!
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37 comments:

  1. KovasP21 February 2011 at 12:44

    Great idea Johann. I like the idea of the blog as journal of its journeys as well. I wonder if a vest/jacket/LS shirt might work better?

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  2. Teamarcia21 February 2011 at 14:07

    I love this idea Johann. What a neat way to symbolize how we are all joined together on a common journey.

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  3. Jennifer21 February 2011 at 14:09

    Great idea Johann. I would do it. I love how a flag looks when a runner(s) are flying through the finishers chute. Cheers!

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  4. Giorgio21 February 2011 at 15:07

    Congrats for your great idea Johann! I'll follow the project!

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  5. Anne21 February 2011 at 15:27

    What a great idea Johann! Keep us posted on the details! :)

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  6. Abby @ Have Dental Floss, Will Travel21 February 2011 at 15:47

    I love this idea. I wish I were strong enough to carry a big flag like that during a race.

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  7. Christi21 February 2011 at 16:31

    Great idea!

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  8. BabyWeightMyFatAss21 February 2011 at 16:48

    How insanely cool! I love this idea!

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  9. Kate Geisen21 February 2011 at 18:34

    Cool idea! Can't wait to see how the details work out.

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  10. Mike21 February 2011 at 19:15

    Good Idea!

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  11. Jess @ Blonde Ponytail21 February 2011 at 19:32

    Johann, I'm so glad you were able to check out my blog. I will be following yours! You have a stellar idea in the works--looking forward to its development.

    Good luck in your race in 12 days!

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  12. Ewa21 February 2011 at 19:57

    I totally love this. After all, aren't we all one?

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  13. Molly21 February 2011 at 19:59

    I think that's a fabulous idea!

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  14. Andrew Opala21 February 2011 at 20:20

    I like it ... I have your name on my first race shirt ... I like it!

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  15. Chris K21 February 2011 at 20:23

    Awesome. Can I be honorary Canada? I love Canada.

    Johann, make sure you check out my latest post. I have interviewed an Ultra Marathon Legend.

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  16. Raina21 February 2011 at 20:36

    I would love to do this, but can I wear it pinned like a bib?

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  17. Char21 February 2011 at 21:09

    Count me in once you're up and running with this.

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  18. Alyssa22 February 2011 at 00:07

    This is such a beautiful idea! I would be honored to be a part of this.

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  19. Neil Zee22 February 2011 at 01:48

    I'm in! I'll do two races for Canada. I'll put my name on one and Chris name on another.

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  20. Rad Runner22 February 2011 at 02:27

    So awesome! I wanna play! :)

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  21. Jason22 February 2011 at 04:23

    I love it and you can count me in. If you get enough or too many shall I say from the US maybe you can do a state flag instead of the Stars and Stripes.....thoughts?

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  22. Marlene22 February 2011 at 04:38

    This is a wonderful idea!

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  23. ajh22 February 2011 at 05:04

    I love this idea! I would be proud to be a part of it if that worked out.

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  24. HappyTrails22 February 2011 at 06:47

    It can run in the mountains with us if it so desires :-)

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  25. Local Mind Media22 February 2011 at 14:31

    Send that thing over. I'd be thrilled to be part of it. Maybe open it up to more localized flags, like states in the US?

    Great idea.

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  26. Christina22 February 2011 at 14:54

    That's an awesome idea. I'm in.

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  27. Big Daddy Diesel22 February 2011 at 17:22

    I love this idea

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  28. Emz22 February 2011 at 19:01

    AMAZING idea.

    I
    freaking
    love
    this.

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  29. Lindsay22 February 2011 at 19:45

    I would love to represent South Carolina, USA! What a great idea :)

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  30. Karen23 February 2011 at 02:32

    Brilliant idea Johann. Good luck with it. I would carry a flag like that with pride. Not much happening here Down Under. Long, hot Summer so only shorter and gentle runs happening.

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  31. Andrew Opala23 February 2011 at 17:38

    On a totally different question Johann. Do you ever run any races internationally? Which race have you heard about that you'd like to participate in, or that you like in general?

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  32. Amy23 February 2011 at 20:50

    Wow! That is such a cool idea! Count me in!

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  33. Jill24 February 2011 at 04:27

    Fabulous idea, Johann! I'll be glad to carry it in Colorado for you...unless you come out and do the Leadville 100 one day yourself (I will NOT run that, but I can pace you :)), or Pikes Peak, which I may do with ya! :)

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  34. A Prelude To...24 February 2011 at 05:06

    What an awesome idea! I love it!

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  35. racing dawn24 February 2011 at 06:02

    Yes, yes, yes!!! Such an amazing idea - great! Count me in - I'd love to do it! :)

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  36. Anonymous24 February 2011 at 12:18

    I am in! Great idea.

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  37. Bethany + Ryan25 February 2011 at 01:03

    OMG I LOVE this idea!!!! This is so sweet that I almost got teary eyed! Pretty please count me in!!!!! :-)

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