On 6 August 2005, the Sata Foundation inaugurated the 1st Run for Peace Rally in Burgundy, France, to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan on 6 and 9 August 1945, respectively, and to promote the Sata Foundation's humanitarian mission. It happily coincided with the official return of the head of the Madonna of the Urakami Church in Nagasaki, to that Church in a nationally televised ceremony.

At the 1st Race, Mr. Bernard Hinault, five-time winner of the Tour de France, and Mr. Andrea van Agt, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, played a substantial role to make it a great success. Participants and their supporters learned for the first time the story of the Madonna of Nagasaki, especially the story of the destruction of her figurine by the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, as well as her rise from the ashes to become a symbol for world peace and the main inspiration behind the Sata Foundation. No more abuse of science to further the cause of war!; No more folly to make war in total disregard of civilian sufferings!, were the sentiments commonly shared by those present at the Race. They therefore joined more than 20,000 individuals from various continents in agreeing that this statue of the Madonna deserves international recognition as a symbol for world peace.

Encouraged by the success of the 1st Race, the 2nd Race was organized on 5 August 2006. Some 500 cyclists competed in what has become an important annual event in Burgundy. Cycling is France's most famous national sport, immortalized by the Tour de France. It is heartening that the citizens of France now also cycle with passion to raise public awareness about the need to be humanistic and to join hands in making this world a peaceful place to live for the present and future generations. Fund was raised by the Race and after-race charity dinner. A substantial amount of the fund raised at the said events was donated to a charitable association with the mission of constructing a hospitality house for relatives of intensive care patients of the General Hospital of Saint Brieuc in Brittany, France. The remaining amount raised went to the Sata Foundation's account to support the Foundation's mission-including its humanitarian projects to provide healthcare for people in developing countries and for victims of armed conflicts, and to promote international rules of law.

The 3rd Race on 4 August 2007 continued what is an established, traditional event, which grows from strength to strength in terms of the number of participants and the support received, with proceeds from the Race going to charities whose work falls within the Sata Foundation's mission.

In 2008, the 4th Anniversary of the Run for Peace Rally was honoured by the blessings of the Honourable Mayor of Hiroshima and the Honourable Mayor of Nagasaki, whose cities and citizens have endured the horrendous experiences of being the victims of the atomic bombings. They welcomed the Run for Peace Rally as an important part of the worldwide efforts to end weapons of mass destruction. (Please click here to see their messages.)

The annual Run for Peace Rally has now been held for more than 10 years in succession, in Chailly, Burgundy, France, with the participation of approximately 400 to 500 cyclists, led by Mr. Bernard Hinault, the godfather of the event since its kickoff. Also Mr. Francesco Moser, who has been a good rival with Mr. Hinault, has taken part in the Race since 2014 all the way from Italy and put enthusiasm into the Race.

In 2017, the Run for Peace Rally was held on Saturday 29 July in Chailly-sur-Armançon, France, (www.courirpourlapaix.com), with 468 cyclists taking part in four circuits: Hiroshima (145 km.), Nagasaki (105 km.), Tohoku (81 km.), and the rando (40 km.).

See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXcY6b3bh5c&feature=youtu.be

The event raised funds to be used for the Sata Foundation's mission.

The Run for Peace Rally for the year 2018 was held on Saturday 28 July 2018 and followed by a charity dinner under the patronage of the Sata Foundation. As a symbol of peace, the dinner guests were requested to wear white. Our guests of honour were the legendary Bernard Hinault and Francesco Moser, two of the most faithful, long time participants in the Rally. The dinner party’s main message was to show solidarity with the countries receiving most of the Syrian refugees; namely, Turkey and Lebanon, which have had by far a higher concentration of Syrian refugees per capita than any other country. The presentation by Mr. Münir Isker from Turkey and Mr. Maroun Torbey from Lebanon about the dire situations in their respective countries was very well received by the dinner guests.

In addition, a second association was added for the charity dinner to try and touch a local cause in addition to the larger cause for world peace. The association “Etoiles Bleus” was chosen as it supports the victims of the French Police (Gendarmes). Special guests were invited to the charity dinner to represent the Etoiles Bleus which included Mr & Mrs Bertaut who recently lost their daughter, who was a Gendarme, and local Gendarmes from Pouilly-en-Auxois : Mr & Mrs Jacquet, Mr & Mrs Prioux and Mr & Mrs Lasalle. 2000€ were raised for the Etoiles Bleus during the charity dinner.

This event has inspired races for peace in some other parts of the world. In Japan, the 3rd Meiji-Jingu Outer Garden University Criterium rally was organized in 2009, to which the Sata Foundation made some donations in 2009 and 2010, so as to keep this tradition going from strength to strength.

Please join us in keeping the spirit of the Race alive!

Donations provide a most important source of support for maintaining our activities. Contributions in any amount will be gratefully received.

Please make your donations to:-
Sata Foundation: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Head Office, Tokyo, Japan, Account No. 200-9481436. You can also make donations by credit card.
Receipts will be provided on request.

Mr. & Mrs. Hinault

The Charity Dinner 2018