
Inspiration and Records at the 3100 Mile Race
In the 27th edition of the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence Race, Tswi Wen-Ya attained a new women's world record for the 3100 Mile Race, in a time of 45 days +12:28:44. The diminutive runner from Taiwan, overcame tiredness, heavy rain and numerous physical challenges to set this remarkable new record which involved running an average of 68 miles for 45 days straight. After a short victory celebration, she continued to set a new world record for 5,000km in a time of 45 days +14:56:42.
The race saw fourteen runners take to the start line, and each runner had their own unique experience of self-transcendence. The first place finisher was Andrea Marcato from Italy. it was his fourth consecutive 1st place in the 3100 Mile Race and comes after an amazing year which included two ten day races and other ultra-distance events. His time of 43 days+13:33:23 was not a personal record, but he joins the Finnish men's world record holder Ashprihanal Aalto for being the only runner with four consecutive first places.
The race was inspired by Sri Chinmoy who saw distance running as a unique challenge to bring to the fore all the inner and outer resources of the competitor. Sri Chinmoy taught the real goal was not the outer accomplishment, but the inner progress which can come from transcending our previous capacities, and remaining cheerful whatever happens during the race.
“We compete not for the sake of defeating others, but in order to bring forward our own capacity. Our best capacity comes forward only when there are other people around us. They inspire us to bring forward our utmost capacity, and we inspire them to bring forward their utmost capacity”
– Sri Chinmoy
The race inspired many people who both took part, but also who came to help or cheer on the runners. This video gives an insight into the thoughts, feelings and experiences of the runners
3100 Mile Race Feature on US National Public Radio
Related
Sports & Self-Transcendence
More stories from Sri Chinmoy's students.

In the Whirlwind of Life
Pradeep Hoogakker The Hague, Netherlands
Listen to the inner voice
Vidura Groulx Montreal, Canada
How I learned from Sri Chinmoy
Pradhan Balter Chicago, United States
Muhammad Ali: I was expecting a monster, but I found a lamb
Sevananda Padilla San Juan, Puerto Rico
Akuti: a pioneer-jewel in our Centre
Akuti Eisamann Connecticut, United States
If I can smile like that, it's worth becoming a disciple
Mahatapa Palit New York, United States
A Divine Phone Call
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
The Peace Run visits Oxford
Tejvan Pettinger Oxford, United Kingdom
The spiritual life is normal to me
Shankara Smith London, United Kingdom
Just go with it and jump!
Gabriele Settimi San Diego, United States
Learning to follow my intuition
Saranyu Pearson Geelong, Australia
Learning to love songs ever more
Patanga Cordeiro São Paulo, BrazilSuggested videos
interviews with Sri Chinmoy's students

2 things that surprised me about the spiritual life
Jayasalini Abramovskikh Moscow, Russia
No prior experience needed
Samalya Schafer Berlin, Germany
How can we create harmony in the world?
Baridhi Yonchev Sofia, Bulgaria
Running the world's longest race
Jayasalini Abramovskikh Moscow, Russia
A childhood meeting with Sri Chinmoy
Devashishu Torpy London, United Kingdom
How I became interested in meditation
Abhejali Bernardova Zlín, Czech Republic