The Run and Become Lecture Series: 1980

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.

"The Run and Become Lecture Series" (Brochure). 1980

The 'Run and Become' lecture series has hosted an impressive number of top runners of the world, as well as up-and-coming stars, running experts, editors and authors. Recent speakers have included Ted Corbitt, Gary Muhrcke, Nina Kuscsik, Alan Kirik, Cahit Yeter, Peter Squires and Fritz Mueller...

The series evolved from the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team's wish to know more about its specialty - long-distance running. It gradually expanded to include sessions on short and middle distance running and ultra-marathoning, and from there to include discussions of sports medicine and running philosophy.

About some of the speakers...

"Craig Virgin Opens Fall Run & Become Lecture Series" (Press Release). September 11, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-08. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

Craig Virgin, first American to win the World Cross-Country Championship (Paris 1980) and holder of the American 10,000M track record, will speak at the free Run and Become Lecture Series...

One of the most versatile of the top US runners, 24 year old Virgin has set numerous records in track, cross country and road running events. He won the 10,000M Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, setting an Olympic course record, was chosen Best US Distance Runner (1979-1980) by Runner's World magazine and won the 1979 NY Trevira Twosome with partner Ellison Goodall.

"The Legendary Ted Corbitt to Speak at Running Lecture" (Press Release). July 8, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-08. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

Ted Corbitt, former Olympian and father of the ultra-marathon in America, chairman of the TAC National Standards Committee, founder and first president of the NYRRC and former president of the RRCA - a runner who is a legend in his own time - will be speaking at the "Run and Become" lecture series...

Ted Corbitt has been called 'the silent Brahmin' of running by the international spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy. The name refers to the peace and wisdom that radiates from this great runner, who has been winning awards and shaping the course of running in America and the world since 1951, when he first ran the Boston Marathon.

In his three decades of work in the running community, Ted Corbitt has won numerous national and international championships and has set records in distances from the marathon to the 24 hour run. A working physical therapist, he has written booklets on nutrition and race training. He began the RRCA newsletter and NYRRC 'Running News' magazine, for which he still writes a running column.

Perhaps most dramatic in shaping the course of road running were the years 1958 to 1964. During this time Ted Corbitt developed a national system of accurate road course measurement. Due to his pioneering work, records set on a certified course anywhere in the country are recognized nationwide.

"Cahit Yeter - 100Km Record Holder - Speaks at Series" (Press Release). July 8, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-08. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

Cahit Yeter, ranked number one in the nation in the 100Km distance and holder of the world masters record for the 100Km, will speak at the Tuesday, July 22 'Run and Become' lecture series.

Cahit was born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1934 and during his youth competed in many track and field events for the Turkish National Team. During this period he turned in a 2:16 marathon time. Following a serious car accident in 1958 he gave up running, not resuming it again for 16 years. He has been living in America since 1968.

When Cahit returned to running, he focused on the longer distances and, to date, he has run 217 marathons.

"Kathy McIntyre - Metropolitan AAU Athlete of the Year - To Speak at 'Run and Become' Lecture" (Press Release). May 21, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

Kathy McIntyre, the Metropolitan AAU's Female Athlete of the Year, will speak at the 'Run and Become' lecture series on Tuesday, June 3...

Kathy is nationally ranked as the number 1 sub-vet female runner for all distances from 1 to 15 miles. She has been racing competitively for twenty years now and, along with her good friend Nina Kuscsik, is considered a pioneer of women's running. During Kathy's college days she was twice named All-American in cross country, and she has been on three AAU national teams. This year Kathy was also named the Female Athlete of the Year by the New York Road Runners Club.

"Cross-Country Runner Stan Cottrell To Speak at 'Run and Become' Lecture" (Press Release). May 5, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

Stan Cottrell, who holds the world record for the 24 hour race, the American record for 100 miles and the '20th century record' for having run 405 miles in 5 days, will be speaking at the 'Run and Become' lecture series...

Cottrell, a resident of Atlanta, Georgia, is in New York to begin a cross-country run in which he will attempt to break the current record of 53 days 7 minutes. His 'Run for America' is scheduled to begin at New York's City Hall on Thursday, May 15...

Stan Cottrell trains an average of 140 miles per week, and in his 25 year career (he is now 37) has run over 108,000 miles...

"Tom Fleming, Top-Ranked Marathoner Speaks at 'Run and Become' Lecture" (Press Release). April 18, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

Tom Fleming, one of the nation's top marathoners and twice a winner of the New York City Marathon, will speak at the 'Run and Become' lecture series...

In a leading running magazine's time lisiting of the 200 top national marathoners, Flemming is ranked ninth with a time of 2:13:36. His personal record is 2:12:05 at Boston in 1975. The 28-year-old champion has been entering races since he was 17, when a friend advised him to switch from soccer to running to make better use of his outstanding speed. His track and field abilities earned him the title of All-American during each of his four years at William Paterson State College in Wayne, N.J., and he held the American record for the 25K from 1973 through 1979. He has run 43 marathon during his 11 year running career...

"52 Marathons in a Year - Jay Helgerson Speaks at 'Run and Become' Lecture" (Press Release). April 11, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

Jay Helgerson - the first person to compete in and complete 52 marathons in one year - will describe his running experiences at the 'Run and Become' lecture on Tuesday, April 22...

25-year-old Helgerson, an ex-marine from Wichita, Kansas, began his long distance running career in 1975, and in the next three and a half years ran in almost 40 marathons and 2 ultramarathons. The idea of running a marathon stretch of marathons began building until, in December 1978, he dropped out of his sophmore year at the University of San Francisco to pursue his dream.

In order to find a weekly marathon to run in, Helgerson travelled more than 50,000 miles through 25 states, and at one point during the summer peaked at 9,000 miles in six weeks. In spite of a gruelling schedule, only 5 of his 52 marathons were over three hours, and he finished with a string of 22 sub-three hour races.

'I like to compare this to Pete Rose and his streak of a hit in 44 straight games,' Helgerson said at one point. 'I've got to coax my body each week to go the distance, even to get to each race. If I miss even one there goes the whole string.'

Helgerson has listed the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team's San Francisco Marathon, held last June 3 (1979), as one of his favorite races, and said it 'was the fastest and best organized.'

"Nurmi Award Winner Allan Kirik Speaks at 'Run and Become' Lecture" (Press Release). February 29, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

A list of the running world's top awards and records trail behind Allan Kirik's determined footsteps. The energetic ultramarathoner, a Flushing resident, will be giving his second 'Run and Become' lecture this Tuesday, March 11...

Allan's awards and records include, for the 1979 season only: winner of the coveted 'Runner's World' Nurmi award for the Best USA Male Ultramarathoner; winner of the New York Road Runner Club's award for the Outstanding Male Ultramarathoner and their award for the Outstanding Male Performance; first American ever to win the prestigious London to Brighton ultra-marathon - a 55 mile route this year - with a time of 5:32:37; American record holder for the 50 mile distance - 5:00:30 at the Lake Waramaug 50 mile race; winner of the Knickerbocker 60K.

Allan's knowledge of running lore is deep and witty and only equaled by his knowledge of local traffic hazards - culled from the 100 to 130 miles per week training schedule he maintains. His return speaking engagement is by popular demand.

"Award Winning Pete Squires to Speak at 'Run and Become' Lecture" (Press Release). February 22, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

Winner of the 1979 Finlandia Marathon and this year's recipient of the New York Road Runner's Club 'Big Apple Award' for the Outstanding Male Performer, their award for the Outstanding Male Long Distance Runner, and their award for the Outstanding Open Class Male Performer - Pete Squires is one of today's leading road runners and promoters of running...

"Port Washington Runner Steve Lubar Gives Lecture" (Press Release). February 7, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

Middle distance road running will be discussed by national-class runner Steve Lubar at the 'Run and Become' lecture on Tuesday, February 19...Lubar, who in 1978 won 43 races and was slected the Metropolitan AAU's 'Runner of the Year'...

"Run and Become Lecture Series Features Bill Sieben" (Press Release). January 28, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

Long distance runner Bill Sieben will be the featured speaker of the 'Run and Become' lecture series this coming Tuesday...

27 year old Sieben is one of the prominent younger runners in the Northeast area, ranked 88th world-wide by 'The Runner Magazine.' He won the 1977 Jersey Shore Marathon with a personal record time of 2:16 and placed 7th in the 1979 Honolulu marathon...

"Nina Kuscsik and Fritz Mueller to Speak at Runners Series" (Press Release). January 28, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

Record-breaking long distance runners Nina Kuscsik and Fritz Meuller will speak this month at the free 'Run and Become' lecture series...

Nina Kuscsik, a contributing editor for 'The Runner' magazine, is rules chairman of the AAU national women's long distance running committee. One of America's pioneering women long distance runners, Ms. Kuscsik has run over sixty marathons. In 1972, the first year women were permitted to participate, she won the women's division of the Boston Marathon. She won the 1972 and 1973 women's division of the Boston Marathon, and is a former record holder for the women's 50 mile distance.

Fritz Mueller, the January 29 speaker, is the American Masters record holder for the marathon, having clocked 2:20:47 at Boston in 1978. He is also the American Masters record holder for the 30k, 50k and 50 mile distances. He won the World Masters Championship at the 1978 Berlin Marathon. A member of 'Sports for the People', he is active in advocating the development of sports facilities for the layman within city limits...

Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team history - more articles

About the author:

The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team was formed in the fall of 1977 by members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre, who were students of the Indian meditation master, author, poet and philosopher Sri Chinmoy. The athletic looking teacher had been a champion decathlete, sprinter ,soccer player and volleyball coach at the spiritual community where he lived for 20 years. He had begun requesting his students to place more emphasis on their physical fitness as a means of enhancing and complimenting their practice of meditation. He felt that running was a perfect sport to enhance fitness and well being. Many had begun to practice athletics, particularly long distance running, walking, cycling and swimming. In 1976, 33 members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre organized and ran a continuous , non-stop relay through all 50 states, carrying a flaming torch and calling themselves the Liberty Torch Bicentennial Relay. Sri Chinmoy wished the runners to spread the message of dynamism and kindle the flames of love of country. They covered nearly 9000 miles of running, many runners averaging 100 miles a week in the process. Soon members of other countries conducted relays to show that spiritual people could also be dynamic, responsible members of their communities. We also entered 200 members in the 24 hour bike race in Central Park, garnering numerous awards and developing an appetite for training and racing.

As a service to the running community, the Marathon Team was formed to organize races of various distances. Sri Chinmoy felt that holding races for the public would give the running community joy and an avenue for friendly competition. He encouraged his students to train daily and compete often. On October 2, 1977, our first race of ten miles was held in Greenwich Ct. To make it special Sri Chinmoy had us offer split times every mile, have water and refreshment drinks every mile as well, and to provide enthusiastic support along the whole course. We even had singers line portions of the course and sing uplifting, encouraging songs about running and transcending.

A few weeks later about 60 members of the SCMT participated in the five borough New York City Marathon, starting a tradition that still flourishes today. Sri Chinmoy himself began long distance training, running every day and practicing for any and every local race. His enthusiasm was contagious. We began to search for courses in parks and on the streets of New York. We would even look for the hilliest stretches of road for important resistance training. A giant chart with everyone's weekly mileage was erected on the wall of our meeting hall and gym. Much inspiration was gained from seeing our daily and weekly totals in full view of everyone. Sri Chinmoy began to train for marathons and eventually ran 22 himself, with a best of 3:55:07 at the Heartwatchers Marathon near Toledo, Ohio, on March 25, 1979, at age 47.

We also conducted a monthly lecture series featuring famous local and national runners, who gave talks about their running and encouraged us in our training. Some illustrious athletes included Ted Corbitt, Joe Kleinerman, Nina Cusick, Tom Fleming, Cahit Yeter, Craig Virgin, Bob Beamon, Calvin Smith and Carl Lewis.

In August of 1978 Sri Chinmoy suggested a 47 mile race in celebration of his birthday of 47 years. We hastily organized a 47 mile invitational race amongst the students, with help and advice from Ted Corbitt, the legendary runner and father of ultrarunning in the USA. Fifty-six out of 57 starters finished the race. Our interest in ultramarathons was being created. This particular race provided a springboard for excursions into longer and more demanding events. Talent began to emerge as well from our own group. Virendra Gauthier's time of five hours nine minutes still stands for the men, while Dipali Cunningham heads the women's standard in just over 6 hours, as well as having won the race 14 times for the ladies. Sri Chinmoy himself entered the race a few times and completed it in 1979 within the 13 hour limit with his inspiring determination.

As the number of competitors began to grow so did the number of races. 1979 saw our first marathon and half-marathon offered in Flushing Meadow Park, as well as shorter races and even triathlons. In 1980 we formed our first 24 hour race in Greenwich, Ct. In this race Marcy Schwam , the pioneer American runner, set three women's world track records for 50 miles, 100km, and 100 miles. The following year in the same race Cahit Yeter from New York set a North American 24 hour best of 155+ miles, and Sue Medaglia set a women's 24 hour world record of over 126 miles.

Branches of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team were formed in 20 other countries, and have expanded to nearly 100 around the world. Today, the Sri Chinmoy Triathlon in Austrailia is the National Long Course Championship, as well as the 100km road race. Our 24 hour races in Europe are highly respected, particularly in England, France, Germany, and Switzerland. In the 1993 24 hour event in Basel, Switzerland, some 120 runners from 15 countries took part, with the President of the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU), Malcolm Campbell, calling it " the best 24 hour event ever staged".

The cornerstone of Sri Chinmoy's philosophy is the expression of self-transcendence- going beyond personal limits and reaching new levels of inner and outer perfection. This vision of the complete seeker-runner was also practiced by his students, many of them discovering talents they didn't know they possessed. Some began to train for marathons and ultramarathons, others began long distance swimming training.

As the enthusiasm for running began to grow, Sri Chinmoy felt that standard procedures for his races must be kept. We began to organize races on one-mile or two kilometer loops, using flat courses, so that runners could always expect a chance to do well. Water and refreshment drinks were to always be available, as well as accurate scoring and enthusiastic support. The number of our races began to grow, as weekly two mile events and sprints for children and seniors were offered. We also began to offer much longer races- 70 miles, 100 miles, 24 hours and 5 days.

I984 saw the appearance of the Greek legend Yiannis Kouros at the New York Road Runners Six Day Race, in which he set new standards for 48 hours, and broke the 100 year record for six days by running 635 miles. A few months later Yiannis came back to New York to run our 24 hour race, in which he established new road bests for 100 miles in 11hours 46 minutes, and smashed the 24 hour absolute best by 7 miles with 177 miles. A year later in the same race, but running in the teeth of high winds from Hurricane Gloria, Yiannis broke his own record with 178 miles. In the 1997 Adelaide Sri Chinmoy 24 hour Race, Yiannis Kouros set the new and probably unbreakable world record of 188+ miles( 305 km).

In 1985 we offered our first 1000 mile race in Flushing Meadow Park, the first of its kind in this hemishere in this century. Three runners actually completed the distance in the allowed timeframe. Leading the group was American distance pioneer Don Choi from San Francisco, California.

The Marathon Team also began holding monthly marathons at Flushing Meadow Park, hoping to inspire the runners to increase their capacity at the 26.2 mile distance. The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team also developed a special and unique relationship with the New York Road Runners Club, the largest running club and organization in the U.S. We would often help them with the scoring of their National championship 100 mile race, as well as their 6 day affair at Randall's Island. We have often participated in the New York Marathon, having had over 350 SCMT runners the last several years, as well as offering support in its organization and providing aid stations along the course and clean-up in Central Park after the race.

Sri Chinmoy took up weightlifting in 1985, slowly working his way up to eventual massive numbers of pounds with his special one arm lift, plus adding unusual lifts and feats of strength. His chronic knee injury prevented long distance running, but did not terminate his boundless energy for excelling at any sport. We had a special 200 mile race in honor of Sri Chinmoy's 200 lb one arm lift, in March of 1986, in which over 30 men and women ran 200 miles in his honor. In January of 1987 he eventually lifted 7,063 lbs in a miraculous one arm lift.

We began to offer track and field meets for athletes over age- 40, men and women, with our annual Sri Chinmoy Masters Games in 1985. Many former regional and national champions and some former Olympians including discus legend Al Oerter have taken part in the Games. Similar events are now held on the West Coast and in Europe. Sri Chinmoy himself practiced sprints and throwing events, as well as weightlifting, a number of one -arm lifting and calf-raise events. In 1991 Sri Chinmoy surpassed his best times in this country for the 100 meters, 200m and 400m set in Puerto Rico in 1984.

In 1987 Sri Chinmoy increased his vision of the running world. He felt that a longer race of 1,300 miles would inspire a challenge for the ultramarathon runners. The Ultra Trio was born- a set of three ultra races of 700, 1,000 and 1,300 miles. World class distance specialists began to attempt the increasingly difficult mileages. This unique race is still contested every fall.

That same year a new running adventure was born- the Sri Chinmoy Oneness -Home Peace Run, a relay run through 55 countries around the world, carrying a flaming torch for peace. The public was encouraged to participate, and local and national officials embraced the event. Over 250,000 people ran with the torch and took part in ceremonies that designated peace as a primary objective for world harmony- one person at a time, one step at a time. The Peace Run is now a biennial event, attracting millions of participants in over 70 countries. The U.S. event runs through all the 50 states, with thousands of runners joining in. Politicians,monarchs, heads of state, celebrities and people from all walks of life take part and hold the torch.

Sri Chinmoy's students began to excel in running and swimming as well. To this day 18 of his students have swum the English Channel, and several others hold or have held distance records for running in various countries, including the U.S., Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Hungary, and Japan. Others have recently taken up mountain climbing as a means of testing their limits.

The Marathon Team held national and world championship events in 1988 and 1989 at Flushing Meadow Park. The 1988 1,000 mile event was the I.A.U. (International Association of Ultrarunners) World Championship. Yiannis Kouros of Greece ran 1,000 miles in 10 days,10 hours, breaking the previous record by 1 1/2 days. Suprabha Beckjord of Washington D.C. won the women's 700 mile race in American Record time. Sandra Barwick of New Zealand set a new world standard for women at 1000 miles in 14 days,20 hours. In 1989 Rae Clark of California set a new U.S. standard for 100 miles and Ann Trason did the same for the ladies in the 24 hour event, besting the entire field for the National Championship, as well as setting a new world women's standard for 100 miles. Later that year Al Howie of Scotland became the first person to complete the 1,300 mile distance in a certified race (17 days 9 hours).

1989 saw the women's world best for 1000 miles claimed by Suprabha Beckjord as she broke Sandra Barwick's time by a mere 27 minutes. In 1991 Ann Trason broke the women's world best for 100 miles in 13 hours 47 minutes in our 100 mile road race. The 1991 Ultra Trio had a field of over 60 runners for all three races- unheard of considering the great distances being attemted. Al Howie came back to break his own record for 1,300 miles by 13 hours and Sandra Barwick became the first woman to run 1,300 miles in a certified race; enroute she smashed the 1,000 miles standard by two days! In 1992 Suprabha Beckjord returned to join the super elite group who have run 1,300 miles in a certified race, which currently totals ten men and six women. In the 1993 1,300 miler, Istvan Sipos of Hungary broke Al Howie"s record by nearly two hours. In 1994 Antana Locs of Canada won the 1300 miler overall, and was the first person to ever complete the 1300 three times. In 1995 Georgs Jermolajevs of Latvia broke the world mark for 1300 miles in 16 days 14 hours.

In 1996, the Marathon Team increased the Seven Day Race to 10 days. Latvian Georgs Jermolajevs won by a slim margin over Australian Dipali Cunningham, 725 miles to 723. A more astounding event took place in the summer of 1996. Six runners toed the line on a flat paved course around a park and a school in the neighborhoods of Jamaica, Queens, New York, only a few blocks from our Headquarters. The worlds' longest race of 2700 miles lasted 47 days, with a remarable five finishers out of six runners. Georgs Jermolajevs of Latvia again prevailed, setting new world marks for 3000km and 4000km as well as 2700 miles, in 40 days 11 hours. Suprabha Beckjord of Washington ,DC finished first for the women in 43 days, one hour.

In 1997 Sri Chinmoy increased the world's longest certified race to 3,100 miles, hoping the runners would again transcend their capacities and inspire the running world . Edward Kelley of Huntington Beach,Ca. won the race in 47 days, 15 hours, even running an additional 7 miles to reach the magical 5000 km barrier. Suprabha Beckjord followed Kelley two days later to finish the 3100 miles as the first woman ever to run that great distance in a certified race. 1998 saw Istvan Sipos of Hungary smash the 3100 record in 46 days, 17 hours. Miss Beckjord repeated as women's champion with another sterling effort in 49 days, 14 hours. In 1999, in the heat of a record hot July, Edward Kelley won the 3100 mile race in 48 days, 12 hours. Suprabha Beckjord also completed the distance for the third time. 2000 had only four starters, but also the youngest finisher in Ashprihanal Aalto, a 29 year old Finn who dominated the race in 47 days, 14 hours. Beckjord again finished, making it four in a row. Rimas Jakelaitis, a native of Lithuania, set a new 1300 mile world best time of 16 days+00:28:10 in another remarkable performance at Wards Island Park. In 2001, Dipali Cunningham from Australia returned to break the women's six-day road record with 510 miles. Ultra pioneer Ted Corbitt, 82, astounded the world by running 303 miles, an octegenarian record thst exceeded the previous record,his own, by 63 miles. Rimas Jakelaitis set a new 10 day event best of 901 miles as the field for the two events swelled to 59 runners. A month later, Ashprihanal Aalto repeated his 3100 mile victory in 48 days 10 hours. Suprabha Beckjord continued to amaze with her fifth finish in a row. In the last race of 2001, Paula Mairer rewrote the women's 1300 record with an astounding performance of 17 days,21 hours, breaking Sandra Barwick's ten year old record.

Madhupran Wolfgang Schwerk rewrote the record books in 2002 with an amazing 3100 mile race of 42 days+13:24:03- some four days under the previous record. In all, Schwerk broke 74 marks for miles, kms and days throughout. In the fall of 2002, Paula Mairer broke two women's world bests-1000 km and 700 miles, both marks set in 1991 by Sandra Barwick , in the 700 mile race of the Ultra Trio.

The horizons of the running world are still expanding according to the remarkable vision of Sri Chinmoy: Run and Become. Run to succeed in the outer world. Become to proceed in the inner world. As we attempt to manifest Sri Chinmoy"s dream for the continuous progress of mankind in all endeavors, we offer our best wishes to all the seeker- runners who share a dream of going where few have ever gone. The challenge and the joy of transcending is the greatest gift and the best opportunity at true satisfaction in human life. Our oneness with their efforts is our true joy.

Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team

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About the author:

Nirbhasa is originally from Ireland but currently lives in Reykjavik, Iceland. He is an enthusiastic multi-day runner, having completed four times the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race - the longest race in the world.

Pioneers of ultrarunning at the 1982 race: Stu Mittleman, Sue Medaglia, Ted Corbitt, and Cahit Yeter

The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team started its service to the public by putting on races ranging from 2 mile to the marathon. Only after a few years, did it start entering into the world of ultramarathons. Sahishnu Szczesiul, our associate race director and inveterate statistician, has lovingly compiled a history of our 24 hour race, which ran from 1980 to 1993. This was the very first ultramarathon we put on for the public.

In this 53-page story, Sahishnu details the 50 mile, 100k and 100mile women's world records broken by Marcy Schwam in the very first race, the records set by the immortal Yiannis Kouros in 1984 and 1985 (the latter in the middle of storm force conditions), and Ann Trason's shattering of the 24 hour world record in 1989.

Read: History of the 24 hour race (pdf)
You can also read excerpts for the following years: 1993 • 1991 • 1990 • 1989 • 1988 • 1987 • 1986 • 1985 • 1984 • 1983 • 1982 • 1981 • 1980
24 hour race page

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"The Run and Become Lecture Series" (Brochure). 1980

About some of the speakers...

"Craig Virgin Opens Fall Run & Become Lecture Series" (Press Release). September 11, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-08. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

"The Legendary Ted Corbitt to Speak at Running Lecture" (Press Release). July 8, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-08. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

"Cahit Yeter - 100Km Record Holder - Speaks at Series" (Press Release). July 8, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-08. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

"Kathy McIntyre - Metropolitan AAU Athlete of the Year - To Speak at 'Run and Become' Lecture" (Press Release). May 21, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

"Cross-Country Runner Stan Cottrell To Speak at 'Run and Become' Lecture" (Press Release). May 5, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

"Tom Fleming, Top-Ranked Marathoner Speaks at 'Run and Become' Lecture" (Press Release). April 18, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

"52 Marathons in a Year - Jay Helgerson Speaks at 'Run and Become' Lecture" (Press Release). April 11, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

"Nurmi Award Winner Allan Kirik Speaks at 'Run and Become' Lecture" (Press Release). February 29, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

"Award Winning Pete Squires to Speak at 'Run and Become' Lecture" (Press Release). February 22, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

"Port Washington Runner Steve Lubar Gives Lecture" (Press Release). February 7, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

"Run and Become Lecture Series Features Bill Sieben" (Press Release). January 28, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

"Nina Kuscsik and Fritz Mueller to Speak at Runners Series" (Press Release). January 28, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

History of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team

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Archive: a history of our very first public ultramarathon

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