The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run got underway Thursday in Norwalk.

The peace-promoting run first started in New York City in 1987. It now has several yearly relays at locations across the globe.

Runners in Norwalk began their 1,500-mile trek at an elementary school. The group says the run will continue for the next four weeks as they make their way to Canada and end in Chicago.

"We chose that as our destination this year because Parliament of the World Religions is in Chicago, which happens once every four years,” said a runner.

Participants tell News 12 that they believe strongly in the message of worldwide peace.

"If each one of us can find peace in ourselves, that's the most powerful thing that we can do,” said a runner.