Stories from the world's longest certified road race
The Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race has been in progress since September 4, and is now nearing its half-way point. Runners have 52 days until October 25 to complete the distance, which means that they have to run 59.6 miles (95.9 km) on average every day. The runners start at 6am every morning and run laps around the same city block in Queens, New York until 12 midnight.
You can keep in touch with the runners' progress on the official race website:
This year 11 runners started. Andrea Marcato, a 2-time winner of the race, is currently leading ahead of the race record holder and 17-time finisher Asprihanal Aaalto from Sweden. Susan Marshall from New Zealand is currently leading the women's race and has just crossed the 1500 mile mark.
The race often attracts friends from the ultra-running community. Recently, Gary Corbitt visited the runners to offer encouragment to the runners
The race was founded in 1997 by spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy, who saw these races as a unique opportunity for self-discovery and transcending one's own boundaries.
Running offers us the message of transcendence. In our running, every day we are aiming at a new goal. It is like a child who studies in school. First he studies in kindergarten, then he goes to primary school, then to high school, college and university. After getting his university degree, still he is not satisfied. He wants to achieve more wisdom, more knowledge. Similarly, every day we are running towards a goal, but when we reach that goal, we want to go still farther. Either we want to improve our timing or increase our distance. There is no end. Running means continual transcendence, and that is also the message of our inner life.
Sri Chinmoy
The race gets a lot of visitors and well-wishers. During this year's race we had a very nice visit by former President Xanana Gusmāo of Timor-Leste, who led his country to independence over 30 years ago.
President Gusmão (fourth from left, in yellow cap) in front of the race scoreboard.
Related:
- Susan Marshall also ran the 6-day race in April this year, you can read about her race experience...
Sports & Self-Transcendence
More stories from Sri Chinmoy's students.
A love that was thick like butter
Mahatapa Palit New York, United States
The day I recieved my spiritual name
Banshidhar Medeiros San Juan, Puerto Rico
The oneness of all paths - personal experiences
Nirbhasa Magee Dublin, Ireland
Spiritual Friends
Preetidutta Thorpe Auckland, New Zealand
In the Whirlwind of Life
Pradeep Hoogakker The Hague, Netherlands
Soul-Birds take flight
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
I was what you call a classic unconscious seeker
Rupantar LaRusso New York, United States
Reflections on meditation
Janaka Spence Edinburgh, United Kingdom
I know where you are
Kamalakanta Nieves New York, United States
Believe, take a step and proceed: a 6-day race experience
Susan Marshall ,
All I needed was the Supreme, and I would always win
Pragati Pascale New York, United States
10-Day Race: Staring into the Infinite
Patanga Cordeiro São Paulo, Brazil
The Ever-Transcending Goal
Preetidutta Thorpe Auckland, New ZealandSuggested videos
interviews with Sri Chinmoy's students
The value of meditation in a stressful job
Garga Chamberlain Bristol, United Kingdom
What brought me to the spiritual life
Paula Correia Porto, Portugal
My well-scheduled day
Jayasalini Abramovskikh Moscow, Russia
Self-transcendence in meditation
Kailash Beyer Zurich, Switzerland
My spiritual search from childhood
Hemabha Jang Jeonju, South Korea
Starting a spiritual café
Toshala Elliott Auckland, New Zealand