About the author:

Rupantar has been the race director of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team since 1985, having been asked by Sri Chinmoy to serve in that capacity. As well as working on the big races the US Marathon Team organise each year - the 3100 Mile Race and the Six and 10 Day Race - he also spends a considerable amount of time archiving the Marathon Team's 40 year history on this website.

"One People

 

We gather under one banner

men and women from many nations

seeking transcendence

measures of accomplishment

friendship and oneness

embracing weariness

that accompanies

dreams spoken and silent

Such are the anticipations

of our people

 

We focus

in motion of stillness

reflections upon goals

of ambitions

we seek within

to exhude external

reaping benifits of health

nurtured on other days

Such are the meditations

of our people

 

We grind plant between stone

making grain or paste

dependent upon the rains

and bounty of harvest

nourishment for the body

therapy for the soul

consumption creating

strength for grinding

Such are the toils

of our people

 

We sing of joy

songs of spiritual rejuvenation

we move with abandon

to run, dance and play

transcending the barriers

real or imagined

that impose upon our deeds

distorting reality

Such are the exuberances

of our people

 

We run with the knowledge

our needs will be met

by those who record

or tell our stories

the cooks and the care givers

the supporters and providers

those of essentiality

to the tasks at hand

Such are the heros

of our people

 

Health can never be measured

or courage contained

dedication and determination

nurture the deepest dreams

words offer encouragement

promise and commitment

while deeds are the fruits

of man's existance

Such are the gifts

of our people"