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.
Meditation Nights at the Sri Chinmoy Centre
Preetidutta Thorpe Auckland, New Zealand
You only have to keep your eyes and ears open
Gannika Wiesenberger Linz, Austria
The oneness of all paths - personal experiences
Nirbhasa Magee Dublin, Ireland
A spiritual name is the name of our soul, and what we can become
Nayak Polissar Seattle, United States
The Ever-Transcending Goal
Preetidutta Thorpe Auckland, New Zealand
Seeing the God inside my son
Utsahi St-Armand Ottawa, Canada
Learning to love songs ever more
Patanga Cordeiro São Paulo, Brazil
'I could find out myself, but it was so much easier asking your soul'
Mridanga Spencer Ipswich, United Kingdom
Now you are in the boat
Kaushalya Casey Toronto, Canada
The spiritual life is normal to me
Shankara Smith London, United Kingdom
Our Guru becomes the perfect disciple
Devashishu Torpy London, United Kingdom
Meeting Sri Chinmoy for the first time
Janaka Spence Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Connecting the dots
Lunthita Duthely Hialeah, United StatesSuggested videos
interviews with Sri Chinmoy's students
What brought me to the spiritual life
Paula Correia Porto, Portugal
From religion to spirituality
Muslim Badami Auckland, New Zealand
Where the finite connects to the Infinite
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
My first experience with Sri Chinmoy
Nayak Polissar Seattle, United States
Breaking Guinness records
Ashrita Furman New York, United StatesWhen I met Sri Chinmoy for the first time
Baridhi Yonchev Sofia, Bulgaria