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.
The day I recieved my spiritual name
Banshidhar Medeiros San Juan, Puerto Rico
A spiritual name is the name of our soul, and what we can become
Nayak Polissar Seattle, United States
Now you are in the boat
Kaushalya Casey Toronto, Canada
The spiritual life is normal to me
Shankara Smith London, United Kingdom
Learning to love songs ever more
Patanga Cordeiro São Paulo, Brazil
Muhammad Ali: I was expecting a monster, but I found a lamb
Sevananda Padilla San Juan, Puerto Rico
Our Guru becomes the perfect disciple
Devashishu Torpy London, United Kingdom
A barrage of Candy Bullets
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
If a little meditation can give you this kind of experience...
Pragya Gerig Nuremberg, Germany
The day my Guru accepted me as his disciple
Banshidhar Medeiros San Juan, Puerto Rico
Sri Chinmoy's opening meditation at the Parliament of World Religions
Pradhan Balter Chicago, United States
Breaking the world record for the longest game of hopscotch
Pipasa Glass & Jamini Young Seattle, United States
Why run 3100 miles?
Smarana Puntigam Vienna, AustriaSuggested videos
interviews with Sri Chinmoy's students
Meditation: you make progress just by doing it
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
Spirituality - the most fascinating subject on earth
Laila Faerman New York, United States
Self-transcendence in meditation
Kailash Beyer Zurich, Switzerland
2 things that surprised me about the spiritual life
Jayasalini Abramovskikh Moscow, Russia
The greatest adventure that you can embark on
Mahatapa Palit New York, United States
No prior experience needed
Samalya Schafer Berlin, Germany