Polish pilgrims run to Rome

Joggers arrive in time for John Paul canonisation

The pilgrimage of 22 Polish men to Rome in time for the April 27 canonisations of St John Paul II Pope has emerged as perhaps the quirkiest tale of last Sunday’s events.

Seeking a way to make their journey all the more memorable, the pilgrims, all men, agreed to run the 2,000kms from their homes to Rome. Undertaking, on a rotational basis, a running distance equivalent to seven marathons each day, the pilgrims arrived at St Peter’s in time for the canonisation of their fellow countryman.

Speaking later on behalf of the group, runner Tomasz Pietnerzak said that, being ordinary Poles, they had nothing more to offer than their thanks to St John Paul for what he had achieved for them during his pontificate.

“We run because we can’t do anything else,” Pietnerzak said, pointing out that that each runner’s running jacket had borne the word ‘thanks’ on the back.

Asked if the group would now make the return journey in the same way, Pietnerzak, on behalf of his colleagues offered a definite “no”.