Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team articles

We spotted this article in Indian online magazine, the Quint:

"Call him Forrest Gump if you like, but you cannot help but be awed at Samir Singh’s passion for running. The 44-year-old has been running 100 kilometres every day through the busy streets of Mumbai since 29 April.

"But why, you ask?

"It feels amazing to see the goal is about to be achieved," says Singh, who has been running for as long as he can remember. He set about on his mission after drawing inspiration from the Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race, the longest certified footrace in world that is held in New York."

for complete article with video »

For more on the "Faith Runner"

(photo: all 10 runners at completion of the 2017 Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile race)

This year, Yolanda Holder aimed to be the first person to complete the 3100 Mile Race race by walking the entire distance. The New York Times' Corey Kilgannon came to visit the course and wrote a profile beginning as follows...

"On a recent weekday, a woman in hot pink exercise wear and a matching fedore strode briskly but effortlessly down a sidewalk alongside the Grand Central Parkway in Jamaica, Queens. The woman, Yolanda Holdler, 59, an endurance racewalker known as the Walking Diva for her fashionable race outfits, has drawn attention as a first-time entrant to an unusual race held every summer in which runners circle a single block for more than seven weeks straight, 18 hours a day, breaking only between midnight and 6 a.m. to sleep."

• for the complete  2017 New York Times article »

Our 2017 event began early on a Sunday morning at the beautiful La Jolla Shores Beach near San Diego, California.

As our crew of volunteers began to build the race course, the tide began to recede, making way for wide swath of flat-packed sand for the 10K run along the shoreline. Outside termperatures were warm and water temperature was a mild mid-60's.

Unlike previous years, the 2017 swim course was an out-and-back from La Jolla Shores (rather than a straight-shot from La Jolla Cove). The professional lifeguards of America's Finest City helped us set three huge orange buoys to mark the course, two of which had enormous balloon columns on top to help swimmers spot their destinations.

After emerging from the 1-mile ocean swim, the athletes made a quick visit to the Transition Area and then headed north along the half-mile loop course for the first of 12 laps. There was lots of cheering from the volunteers, friends, and family as the race participants made their way along the beach and shared the space with sunbathers, surfers, beachwalkers, and sandcastle makers.

Frederic Tete took top honors with a blazing fast swim and a run in which he successfully fought off the challenge of a fresh-legged relay runner on the sand course. His overall winning time was 1:04:42. In the Women's division, Abigail Blake won handily in a time 1:15:45.

As usual, the winners in each age group (and relay category) received a homemade apple pie, courtesy of Jyoti-Bihanga Restaurant, as well as a large basket of fruit, Gu, gels, and snacks. We believe the best trophies are edible ones!

PHOTOS CAN BE VIEWED HERE.

Now that the 2017 edition of this year's race is finished, race director Sahishni Sczesiul takes some time to recap the highs and lows of this unique multiday race. 

The 22nd Annual Sri Chinmoy Ten Day Race started on Monday, April 17 at noon, as 34 athletes left the cozy confines of their houses and apartments in various foreign countries (over 20) to do battle with 240 hours of running, nature’s elements and moving forward. The venue was the certified one-mile loop north of Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

Igor Mudryk from Vinnitsa, Ukraine was the highest ranked individual, with a few races over 700 miles for 10 days, as well as a fabulous finish of 3100 miles in 2011 (45+ days!!). Jesper Olsen from Denmark was one of the world’s most unique runners, having completed two attempts of running ‘around the world’, feats that have been documented and shared with other runners. He also had extensive multi-day races to his credit. Perhaps a new rising star of super-long distance was Mongolian Budjargal Byambaa who hinted at very good fitness and a desire to join the elite of long races. The ladies field featured several runners capable of close to 600 miles for 10 days, including Ukrainian Nataliya Hlushchuk, also from Vinnitsa Ukraine, and Slovakian Vinati Docziova from Kosice. Canadian Kimberley Van Delst was also considered a favorite due to her brisk running style from 2016 and improved training. 

The men roared off the line with Budjargal Byambaa setting a quick pace. After a few laps, Igor Mudryck and Jesper Olsen bothered to chase the Mongolian as he cruised through the first 50km in a little over 5 hours. Igor was only 3 minutes behind Budjargal. By the time the 24-hour mark approached, Mr Byambaa had seized the lead and reached 108 miles, smoothly and efficiently. Igor Mudryk took a few breaks in the early hours but still reached 91 miles. Jesper was satisfied with 80 miles, and content to parse his energy. Kimberley Van Delst found her way to the front after a few hours, and was shrugging her shoulders when queried as to how well she was running. All smiles was her reply. By the end of the day, she had reached 80 miles, with Russian Elena Kareva  (77 miles) and Nataliya Hlushchuk (75) staying close. 

The very first 10 day Race in 1996 was won by Georgs Jermolajevs from Riga, Latvia, with a distance of 725 miles (1176.7 km). 21 years later, Georgs started this year again, at age 74. Australian legend Dipali Cunningham finished close to Georgs with 723 miles in that first contest - she would go on to win the Sri Chinmoy Six Day Race, (added in 1998) a record 18 straight times. 

The 48-hour mark showed the trend of good runners rising to the top of the standings. Budjargal Byambaa was now in control of the race with 189 miles at the 2-day break. He was still running at 4.5 to five miles per hour, with little sign of fatigue. His lead had swelled to nearly 30 miles. By Day 3, Jesper Olsen had pulled even with Igor Mudryk with a 70-mile day, and had actually gained back over 10 miles to the lead of Mr. Byambaa. But Day 4 saw a resurgence for Budjargal, as he rattled off 73 miles and continued to run quickly and efficiently.  Jesper could not sustain the speed that Budjargal possessed. Only Igor Mudryk could even consider keeping up with the Mongolian champion. 

The end of the fourth day also signaled the beginning of the 20th Annual Sri Chinmoy Six Day Race. An equal number of runners - 34 - moved forward to join their fellow runners on the one-mile loop. Heavy favorite, and four-time winner of the Six Day race, Ashprihanal Aalto, was there, with American John Geesler and other North Americans, as well as several Eastern Europeans, some who were novices but ready to experience 144 hours of running and becoming.  Vikena Yutz, the defending women’s champ was back, as well as New Zealander Kim Allan, a national class 24-hour runner. By the end of the first day for the Sixers, John Geesler had a slim 2-mile lead over Ashprihanal Aalto, and Kim Allan had an 18-mile separation over Vikena Yutz.

In the Ten Day race, the six day splits verified the race - Budjargal has reached 456 miles, his best total for that distance by over 100 miles. Igor equaled 425 miles. No other runners topped 400 miles. Nataliya Hlushchuk held a slim 2 mile lead over Kimberley Van Delst, 342 to 340 miles. 

The 48-hour splits for the Six Day people showed Kim Allan still leading by almost 20 miles, but Kiwi Susan Marshall claiming third place and on the rise in effort. By the end of three days, Vikena had closed to within 16 miles of first, but leg and foot injuries were causing her much pain and anxiety. She tried to rest a lot on the evening of the fourth day, but dropped from the race when the pain was too much. On the other hand, Susan Marshall was running better, and had closed the gap to Kim Allan from 30 miles to 14. Ashprihanal Aalto had assumed the overall lead in the Six Day after 48 hours with 180 miles, which proved to be enough cushion for the race. He and John Geesler stayed well ahead of the rest of the field. 

In the Ten Day, Budjargal Byambaa was emerging as a star runner. He eclipsed his personal best (601 miles) before the end of Day 8 with 605 miles, and fashioned an insurmountable lead over second place of 40 miles. To his credit, Igor Mudryk pulled back a few miles in the last two days, but Budjargal had become the star of the race, overcoming any obstacle, and still staying above 67 miles the last seven days of the event.  Budjargal also announced his ascendency in world rankings, becoming the first Mongolian to pass 1000km (8:09:41:10); first Mongolian to 700 miles (9:07:45:18), and first Mongolian winner of the Sri Chinmoy Ten Day Race - 739 miles (1189.305 km).  His 138-mile improvement for 10 days is highly noteworthy, and places him fifth-ranked for best totals in the Ten Day history. If pushed he could have easily done more. At 35 years of age, he has a lot of talent and heart to reveal.  (Photo: Budjargal right)

Igor Mudryk reached his personal best for 10 days with 713 miles, a couple better than his effort from 2009. Jesper Olsen held on to the last podium spot with 627 miles. There were several other personal bests in the men’s group, most notably Ales Pliva of the Czech Republic topping 600 miles for the first time (609), up from 534 miles, and 10-time Ten Day finisher Michel Gouin of Drummondville, Quebec, Canada making it 11 straight finishes – all eleven have been over 500 miles!

On the ladies side, Nataliya Hlushchuk won for the second time with 578 miles, a solid effort throughout, and as consistent as ever. Vinati Docziova ran 74 miles on the last day to lead all the ladies to the finish line as she finished second. Kimberley Van Delst held on for third with age-group Canadian records for six days, seven days and 10 days.

In the Six Day, Ashprihanal Aalto won the race for the fifth time. He totaled 441 miles on a gimpy knee and not a lot of training. True it was far short of his best 6-day of 505 miles, but he was still happy to share the park roads of Flushing Meadows with so many runners, going day and night to chase their dreams. John Geesler again finished second with 425 miles, and didn’t seem worse for wear after the race. He slept in his truck to avoid the rains that fell for a few of his days on the course. Aleksei Riabikov from Russia made the men’s podium with a fine first-time six-day effort of 377 miles. Through an interpreter he said the race gave him much satisfaction.

The women’s final results were a big surprise as Susan Marshall averaged 71 miles for each of the last three days to garner the victory with 408 miles, her first win. Her mileage was third best overall in the Six Day. Kim Allan held on to second place among the women with 364 miles, and Russian treasure Vera Kalishmanova, 61, from Volgograd, reached 332 miles and her second podium finish in three tries. 

As the dust settles and the injuries heal, the runners have returned to their countries to bask in the glory or cope with the pain of recovery from injury. Yet, the undeniable feeling that we here in New York have after these two events have ended is one of gratitude for all the experiences - good or bad - that have been shared by runners and helpers alike. The sport of mult-day racing continues around the world. The many volunteers, helpers, professionals and organizers all agree- these races founded and nurtured by Sri Chinmoy over the decades give us hope and a glimpse of human potential.  The energy at Sri Chinmoy Races is special. The runners’ ability to deal with everything over a period of 10 or 6 days and to reap satisfaction of any kind is a cause for celebration, and a small iota of perfection.

Home Page for 6 and 10 Day Races

The runners try many ways to keep the mind from interfering with their running. One way to do that, according to Karteek and Patanga, is playing chess. They have set up a chess board near their stall in the dugout and after each mile loop they take a turn in moving their chess pieces. However, after a couple of days, Karteek noticed that someone was moving his chess pieces. To his delight, he discovered that Arun, an avid player himself and fellow 10-day runner, had been moving his pieces. When Arun first noticed the chess board and started playing, he said that all his pain immediately disappeared: such is the power of chess. To accommodate the new player, Patanga and Karteek set up a second chess board. Your move!

Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team member Abhejali Bernardová completed her 5th 'Oceans Seven' swim on March 28, 2017 – the 42 km (26 mile) wide Ka'iwi Channel between the two Hawaiian islands of Molokai and Oahu.

Abhejali celebrated her 40th birthday with a rather atypical Hawaiian holiday - swimming the Ka'iwi Channel (also called the Molokai channel) protected by nothing more than a swimsuit, goggles, cap, sunscreen and a light stick at night, supported by her crew of helpers and hundreds of wellwishers from around the world.

Abhejali is the first Czech person to complete this noted swim without a wetsuit and unassisted, following English Channel rules. Only 46 swimmers in the world (with 50 swims), 19 of them women, had ever succeeded before (see list). Many swimmers’ attempts over the years had to be aborted, sometimes only after one or a few hours of swimming, due to life-threatening jellyfish stings, sharks, currents and numerous other factors. But Abhejali was very lucky, in spite of at times very difficult conditions.

The beeline route between the Pacific islands of Molokai and O'ahu is exactly marathon distance - 42 kilometers or 26 miles. Abhejali did not have an easy time during her 21 hours and 52 minute challenge, and was pushed quite a bit off the straight line between the two islands. Her first challenge was to swim to the beach for an official start at 5:21 p.m. through a huge surf. She was then pushed to the north for a few hours, with the currents changing just in time to allow her westward journey (It seems our prayers worked in this regard – the pilot told her helpers to ask for higher support, and then the currents started to change!) Swimming through the pitch black new-moon night for 12 hours, with nothing to see apart from the lightsticks bobbing up and down on the kayak, made her seasick until the morning dawn. (The start was timed so as to allow her predicted landing to coincide with the slack or rising flood tide on Oahu.) Then for the last 9 hours, her progress was slowed down to 1 mile per hour by unfavourable currents again.

Her crossing of the Ka'iwi channel is Abhejali`s 5th successful Oceans Seven swim. The Oceans Seven challenge is the ocean equivalent to the Seven Summits (climbing the highest peaks on the seven continents) and involves conquering some of the toughest channels and straits around the world. With the English and Catalina Channel, the Straits of Gibraltar and Tsugaru in the bag, the next steps for Abhejali will be the North Channel between Ireland and Scotland in summer and the Cook Strait between the North and South islands of New Zealand at some later point. In addition, Abhejali is currently still the only Czech holder of the “Triple Crown” of open water swimming (English Channel, Catalina Channel and Manhattan island).

Abhejali, who works in a publishing company as a translator, has been a vegetarian for 20 years and practices meditation, which definitely helps her in preparing and enduring her athletic challenges. She is also a multiple Czech running champion over 100km and 24 hours and ran the 6-day race in New York, covering 616 km. Less than 3 weeks before her Molokai swim she organized the first Czech 6 hour indoor pool swim in her home town of Zlin, with over 100 solo and relay participants. She had this to say about her crossing: "You might say this is Hawaii - so what could be difficult? But believe me, it was definitely not about 'hanging loose'. Even swimming to the start, over enormous waves, was a challenge. Then came the current pushing us north after it got dark, plus I got really seasick during the whole 12 hours of the night, unable to take anything in and throwing up for a long time. Only after daybreak was I able to normally eat and drink and get some energy again. Then I swam into two box jellyfish. I knew this could happen and it would be painful and dangerous, but I had no idea it would hurt so much and for such a long time. For the last 9 miles (about 15km) the waves and currents were against us, so the last part took me nine hours instead of the usual four.

I was very grateful to have a shark shield attached to my helper kajak, supplied for free by e-sharkforce, a company based in Hawaii. Sharks were one of the great topics before my crossing, especially since they had appeared in recent swims, so I was grateful for the protection and peace of mind that it brought. Luckily we did not encounter any sharks, but we saw humpback whales and dolphins. Bottom line: it was a beautiful and unique experience, but I'm glad - at least for the moment - that it is over and I made it across. Swimming in the mighty Pacific Ocean with its enormous power and erratic currents, wind and waves, was definitely an unforgettable experience.”

Dedicated to Peace and Self-Transcendence

With her long distance swims Abhejali is trying to connect places and people, and to inspire others to transcend their own perceived limits and boundaries. In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run this year, an global torch relay which Abhejali helps to organise in her spare time, she dedicated her Molokai Channel swim to peace, international friendship and world harmony. “You can say, every stroke in such a swim is a prayer - a prayer invoking and sending out positive energy, peace and harmony. Just as conquering an ocean takes an enormous amount of inspiration, dedication, determination, physical training, mind power as well as heart power, courage and persistence against all odds, plus the faith and conviction that something seemingly impossible can be made possible, so also peace-building is a slow process against many odds where every little effort counts and adds up, where the power of the heart is needed – by more and more people! And both are always team efforts!”

Speaking of team effort, she is extremely grateful to all her inner and outer supporters, including her helpers Harita (New Zealand), Rupasi (USA), Jayalata (Czech Republic) and Jayasalini (Russia), as well as the experienced boat captain Mike Twigg-Smith, co-Captain Mike Scott, kayakers Ecar Roush and Chris Harmes, and Jeff Kozlovic from the Ka'iwi Channel Association. 

The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team celebrates its 40th birthday this year. Local Marathon Team director Sahishnu Sczcesiul writes about how the Marathon Team grew from Sri Chinmoy's philosophy of self-transcendence to the largest organiser of ultradistance and endurance events.

The Marathon Team is named after its founder and guiding light, spiritual Master Sri Chinmoy. The meditation leader had been a stellar athlete during his youth in his native India, excelling in sprinting, decathlon, soccer and volleyball in the spiritual community where he lived. Based in New York since 1964, he inspired his students to live a fulfilling life integrating the peace of meditation with the dynamism of action, particularly sport. The “self-transcendence” aspect of his philosophy was complemented by service to the world.

Sri Chinmoy resided in Jamaica, Queens, NY, in a quiet community, where he was joined by many of his followers. Like their teacher, they, too, were becoming runners, with his constant encouragement. Beginning in 1970, the Sri Chinmoy Centre Sports Day provided an annual opportunity for them to participate in track and field events. But long-distance running would become the hallmark of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team. In 1976, 33 students of the Master ran the non-stop Liberty Torch relay through the fifty states, carrying a flaming torch to honour America during the Bicentennial year. Long-distance running soon featured prominently in the spiritual life of Sri Chinmoy’s students—for itself, and for the symbolism of the endless journey to perfection.

Sri Chinmoy urged his students to offer running races to the public—for dynamism, energy and joy, as well as fitness and health. The first running event in the history of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team took place on October 2, 1977, in the hills and dales of Greenwich, Connecticut.

The sprinkling of running races on the SCMT calendar would eventually become a flood, as new events of varying distances emerged (2 miles, 10K, 10 miles). Sri Chinmoy himself ventured into long-distance running in 1978, completing his first marathon on March 3, 1979 in 4:31:34 and, just 22 days later, his fastest, in 3:55:07. Twenty more marathons and two 47-mile ultras followed. He was vividly demonstrating both his own pursuit of physical excellence and the power of his energizing message, even as he reached the age of 47 years and beyond. By 1980, the Marathon Team was sponsoring marathons, 13-mile races, five-mile races and even a 24-hour event. Triathlons joined the schedule, as well as 70-mile races and weekly two-milers.

But the biggest and best was yet to come.In 1985, Sri Chinmoy encouraged the Team to stage a 1,000-mile race, the first of its kind in the Western hemisphere. In 1987 he increased the distance to 1,300 miles. In 1996, “the longest race in the world” became 2,700 miles; the next year it jumped to 3,100 miles, and so it remains every year: still the longest certified footrace in the world, held on a one-mile urban loop.

Conservatively, it is estimated that the Team has hosted nearly 2,000 running events in New York since 1977—including 124 multi-day races since 1985.

The expansion of the Marathon Team reached worldwide, and many countries continue to schedule running events, long-distance swimming races, bicycle races, triathlons, marathons and ultras of various distances under the SCMT banner. Just like the New York races, all events strive to maintain the lofty standards of precision and personal service established by Sri Chinmoy himself, with proper runner splits and timing, multiple aid stations, enthusiastic support and—importantly!—great vegetarian food.

The theme of the races offered by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team continues to be “self-transcendence”—going beyond one’s perceived limitations and finding new capacity, which ultimately leads to real satisfaction. May the Marathon Team always treasure the self-giving principle that Sri Chinmoy offered to the world: “Never give up, never give up. You can always do more, you can always love more, you can always offer more.” 

On behalf of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, we, the volunteer staff, offer gratitude to all the athletes of the last 40 years for running our races and giving us the joy of serving our fellow travelers on life’s great journey. 

Photo: Ashprihanal Aalto of Finland completes the 3,100-Mile race in 2015 in a record-breaking time of 40 days 9 hours 6 minutes and 21 seconds.

The Joy of Six is a regular series of articles from the Guardian which focus on unearthing sport's hidden treasures. This week, the focus was on the worlds most unusual and bizarre races, including the world's longest certified race organised by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team - the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100-Mile Race.

The article notes: "The race was founded by noted spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, who opened the first meditation center in Queens after moving to the US in 1964. Finishers needn’t complete the full 3,100 miles, but that’s hardly the point. The goal is right there in the name: self-transcendence, achieved by pushing yourself beyond your physical limits." 

Other races mentioned included the  Iron Man ice competition in Arizona, the Man v Horse marathon in Wales and The Big Five marathon in South Africa, where participants have to dodge the big five game animals: lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhino.

Read the article »

It was a cold and windly March 5th when over 25 of Sri Chinmoy's disciples prepared for the start of a marathon to honor their mediitation teacher's first marathon run at the Bidwell Classic Marathon, Chico, California on March 2, 1979. Dispite temperatures in the teens, 15 of the runners completed the race with local runner Sasha winning in 3:43:57.  The girls best time was by Harita in 4:12:02. Many local runners participated by running various distance during the marathon run.

Sri Chinmoy completed 22 marathons in his brief marathon career but encourage his students to continue marathon running as a means to maintaining and increasing both physical and spiritual fitness. Similar celebrations honoring Sri Chinmoy's Chico marathon run were held throughout the world.

Sri Chinmoy Chico, California Marathon Anniversary Run, Queens, NY 4/5/2017: Finishers

Boys

1. Sasha        3:43:57
2. Arpan        3:55:48
3. Dimitri       4:25:33
4. Mario        4:35:10
5. Georgi      4:48:21
6. Roger       5:06:30
7. Peteris      5:17:31

Girls

1. Harita       4:12:02
2. Gundega  4:34:06
3. Ratuga     4:44:04
4. Svetlana   4:44:15
5. Kaneenika 4:45:17
6. Lyalya        4:54:56
7. Palash       5:16:04
8. Antana      5:24:01

For the past 4 years the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team has donated the proceeds from their November 5K/10K Race to Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The Team has been sponsoring races in the Park since the mid 70s and feel that the donations will help with Park expenses. It is the Teams hope that this race would inspire larger race organizers around the New York area to do a similar race for the Park systems, if they are not doing so already. Photo: Park Administrator Janice Melnick receives a donation check from the Race Director of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, Rupantar LaRusso, for $2700.

By 1980, Sri Chinmoy felt that his students needed more inspiration to train and race seriously, especially in the cold winter months of the Northeast when one can easily lose fitness with the excuse that it is too cold out to train or race. That lethargic notion was soon to be shattered when Sri Chinmoy sprang a marathon on his students in January 1980 in the subfreezing weather of Vermont....

Arpan De Angelo, a 200-marathon veteran and a participant in that race, describes the experience of participating in the first winter Sri Chinmoy Inspiration Marathon, an event that was held in Vermont or New Hampshire for many years in the eighties, often in icy temperatures, at a time when winter marathons were practically unheard of.

Read the full article in our archives »

A very warm and kind 'thank you!' to all of today's participants! We are so grateful you chose to spend the morning with us. It was a beautiful, mild and sunny day at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. We hope you had a great time and look forward to seeing you again soon.

All photos by Bhashwar.  For more great photos....

If you have any questions, please call us 516-710-8084 or write to us at [email protected].

The 8th Annual Sri Chinmoy Heart-Garden Celebration included a celebrity walk, and a 2-mile race. Over 100 hundred runners from over 25 different countries participated in the 2-mile race. The celebrity walk included several past olympians, local and state politians and park officials. (All photos by Bhashwar)

To return to The Sri Chinmoy Heart-Garden Home Page

Cara Giaimo, October 03, 2016 on website Atlas Obscura.

"Over her 23-year career, Suprabha Beckjord raced enough miles to circle the globe twice. Sure, she looks patient enough, smiling over the cash register. Maybe she's got an extra bounce in her step as she helps someone pick out a greeting card. But customers at the Transcendence-Perfection-Bliss of the Beyond gift shop in Washington, D.C. likely don't realize that Suprabha Beckjord, the 60-year-old woman standing behind the counter, isn't just the store's helpful proprietor—she's one of the greatest endurance athletes the world has ever seen." For complete article.

Above Photos:

1. Suprabha (far right) at start of 2004 Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race. Sri Chinmoy offers a moment of silence with runners (foreground seated).

2. Suprabha with helpers after she completed the 2004 Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race.

Perfectioin-Journey covers the 2016 Swim-Run with an entertaining nine minute video and great photos. For full coverage...

Sri Chinmoy Swim-Run Trio Results 2016

*Dear Participants,

The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team wishes to thank all the participants and volunteers for the energy and joy you brought to this event. We had a great time and hope you did as well. Thank you.

View a short video of this year's Swim Run Trio along with photos from Perfection-Journey or  Browse the photo gallery!

1K Swim Results

Swim Run Results

Swim Run Relay Team Results

10K Run Results

The following story appears in Anthony Rodale's blog FitWild.com

Imagine spending a summer running 3,100 miles, a distance that would take you from Seattle to Miami. If you attempted that particular run this past summer, as you crossed the Cascades, you may have slowed, feeling the effects of the Heat Dome. And let’s say you started with a group of friends who quickly jumped ahead of you. As you progress through the Midwest into the South, you are told they are already a hundred miles ahead. You might feel that you’ll never be able to catch up. You plod along though Arkansas and over the Great Smoky Mountains. Somehow, though, as you gear up for the final 200 miles, the leader’s silhouette becomes faintly visible against the backdrop of the Epcot Center in Orlando. With each successive mile en route to Miami, you seem to be getting closer. As the Miami Skyline comes into view, you can actually see the leader just 9 miles ahead of you. For complete story...

On June 21, 2016, the ultrarunning community lost a great runner and beloved friend, Al Howie. Al competed in many of our ultra races, and at his prime he was a formidable foe that cut a dashing figure with his beard and accent. In 1989, Al became first person to ever run 1300 miles in a certified race when he won the Sri Chinmoy 1300 Mile Race. In 1991 he returned after running across Canada that summer in 72 days (averaging 63 miles a day over mountains and prairies), breaking his own 1300 mile record by several hours. In the following article, Arpan De Angelo reminisces about his long-time friend:

One night as I sat eating in Annam Brahma Restaurant in Queens, New York, a familiar figure walked in. It was Al Howie, bags in tow, looking like he was travel-weary and hungry. I had not seen Al since we ran in a Sri Chinmoy 24 hour race in Ottawa six years ago. Now he was here to run 1,300 miles in the Ultra Trio. I greeted Al and invited him to sit down and eat.

During dinner, I was inspired by his friendly manner and courage. He had just travelled four days by bus from Vancouver Island to get here and was determined to become the first runner in history to complete 1,300 miles in a certified race. His enthusiasm was contagious, and I decided to help Al in any way I could. I invited him to stay at my place for the three days before the race was to start. This gave me an opportunity to get to know one of the greatest ultra runners of all time.

Photo: Al Howie (l) became the first runner to complete the 1,300 mile distance. Stefan Schlett (r) also completed the distance.

The following day I participated in the Sri Chinmoy 24 Hour TAC/USA National Championship in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Al offered to be my handler. This was probably the first 24 hour race that Al attended as a volunteer instead of a runner. He had run in about 20 such races, winning most of them, usually with 140-150 miles. At the time, he also held the current 24 hour record (150.2 miles) for both Scottish citizens and Canadian residents. Although I had placed second in this race last year with 130 miles, I had to drop out at 92 miles because of an unexplainable dizziness and leg cramps. Anyway, Al stayed on, assisting throughout the night in whatever capacity he was needed. He was inspired by the intensity of Ann Trason’s great performance – a woman’s world record for 100 miles (13:55:02) and winning the race overall with 143 miles. Helping around the clock in the 24 hour primed him for the incredible challenge he was about to undertake.

Al was no stranger to the flat, fast one mile loop in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. He won the Sri Chinmoy Seven Day here last May in his first multi-day race. In fact, Al won every race he ran this year, including a 12 hour August 13 in Victoria, B.C. (82+ miles), a 50 mile June 10 on Vancouver Island in a ‘slow’ 6 hours and 30 minutes, and finally the seven day in May here in New York City.

Besides those performances, he told me how he had intensified his training, averaging 160 miles or more per week for most of the year in preparation for the 1,300 mile. Also, he started weight training for both upper body and legs, about one and a half hours every other day. On those days he would only run 15 miles; on the days between he would run 30 miles.

At age 44, he was in the best physical condition of his life.

On September 18th Al and ten other intrepid runners, including one woman, started their first steps on the long 1,300 mile journey. Al ran 113 miles the first day comfortably, but had a more conservative strategy for the remainder of the race. His schedule would be to average just over 70 miles a day after that. He soon discovered that walking some sections of every loop helped him to maintain his energy and strength through the long days and nights. He took meal breaks three times a day, usually for a half hour or less, but enjoying big meals with plenty of high carbohydrate and nutritional foods. He would also take small snacks regularly throughout the day and night. Water was his main drink but he also had electrolyte replacement drinks and an occasional coffee. He slept three hours every night, usually from around 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. In the daytime he would put his feet up or even lie down for a short time when feeling a bit road weary.

Al was a self-sufficient runner who never complained or demanded too much from anyone. It impressed me the way he maintained a positive mental attitude no matter how tired. He was friendly to the other runners and seemed to draw positive energy from them. I thought this was a great factor in his favor along with the awesome physical condition that he was in. Day by day he kept faithfully to his schedule. He completed 573 miles in the first week, 62 miles more than his winning effort in the seven day race in May.

Although Al ran just as intensely the second week as the first, he still took time to be civil and friendly. He was working hard in this race, leading from the first mile to the last, yet like the legendary baseball player Joe DiMaggio, he made it look so easy. He seemed to have the knack of keeping his energy level high throughout the long days and even longer nights.

At 13 days +00:27:37 he completed 1,000 miles, making him the fourth fastest in the world at the distance. Prior to this, Al’s longest distance had been 876 miles in 11 days +03:18:00 on a solo journey run the length of Britain, the best time for that course. Another mark that he held that that time was nonstop running – 361 miles (580 km) with only five minutes rest allowed per hour. But now he was on his way to an uninhabited realm. After 13 days of hard running, he still had 300 more miles to cover before the 18 day cut-off.

Al approached the third and final week cautiously. Realizing he was becoming tired much earlier in the day than before, he increased his sleep time to four hours per night. He took more short breaks during the day, but still maintained around 70 miles per day. He was now paying closer attention to the condition of his feet, which had developed a few small blisters. On the fifteenth day, with less than 150 miles to go, he discovered that his right calf was much larger than his left. The medical staff determined that it was just a strange case of fluid retention, as there was no pain or injury related to the swelling. Keeping it wrapped, icing it occasionally, and being very cautious about any other unexpected surprises that could stop him dead in his tracks, Al carried on his mission cheerfully and courageously. The swelling went down.

Finally, to the cheers and hurrahs of the assembled crowd, carrying the Canadian flag and the Scottish lion-rampant battle flag, with his beard and long golden hair flowing – Al finished the 1,300 miles in 17 days +08:25:34, becoming the first person ever to go that distance under certified race conditions.

Three years ago, when Sri Chinmoy stipulated an 18 day cutoff for 1,300 miles, some of us felt that it was not enough time, that no one except perhaps Yiannis Kouros would be able to do it. Sri Chinmoy felt the challenge would inspire runners to transcend themselves. This year three did. At the awards ceremony Al paid tribute to a man with the vision, concern and inspiration to put on such races. He said: ‘Finishing this race was the greatest moment of my life. I’m not a disciple of his, but I am dedicating this race to Sri Chinmoy.’

These results are incredible and may stand for some time. But the most amazing thing for me and many other people who supported Al in his victory was the fact that this friendly, keen-witted Scotsman accomplished a previously impossible endurance feat with considerable grace and poise. This was testimony to the true stature of Al Howie, who has established himself as one of the greatest ultra distance runners of all time.

Excerpted from the article in Ultrarunning, December 1989 “Canadian Al Howie – A Multi-Day Ultra Champion.” Ultrarunning. December 1989. Reprinted with permission from the publisher.

Muhammad Ali was not just a sporting legend, he was a universal figure that inspired millions with his soaring spirit. The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team would like to offer some remembrances of this great figure.

Sri Chinmoy was a tremendous admirer of Muhammad Ali, both as a figure of inspiration and also of his spirituality. The following are some excerpts from a conversation between the two in 1977.

Sri Chinmoy: You are changing the face and fate of mankind. Your very name encourages and inspires. As soon as people hear 'Muhammad Ali,' they are inspired. They get tremendous joy. They get such dynamism to be brave and face ignorance. Your very name does that. That's why I am so grateful to you, so proud of you.

Muhammad Ali: My goal is to be like you one day - to be peaceful and out of this sport working for humanity and for God....After we finish boxing I want to learn how to get out of this life and use my popularity and my intelligence for humanity - to help people in whatever way I can. I don't know how, but I want to do something - bring people together, work for God and help people.

During that meeting, some of Sri Chinmoy's students sung a song that Sri Chinmoy had composed for Muhammad Ali.

Greater than the greatest,
Swifter than the swiftest,
Ali, Ali, Champion!
Owner of a new vision.
Supreme boxer's jabbing thunders
Sport with art-beauty's wonders.  

Sri Chinmoy also wrote another song in praise of this great champion:  

Muhammad Ali, Champion Ali,
Greater than the greatest, really!
Sleepless you cry for Allah’s Grace,
Deathless you fight for the Muslim race.
Muhammad Ali, Champion Ali!
Your moon-pure heart and justice-light
Shall smash the frown of ignorance-night.
Ali, you are Eternity’s pride.
Your victory’s smile is the pole-star guide.

In 2003, Muhammad Ali became the 6000th person to be honoured as part of the Lifting up the World with a Oneness-Heart program; being lifted overhead by Sri Chinmoy using a special apparatus, together with his wife Lonnie.

Sri Chinmoy was always very grateful for Muhammad Ali's kind words of support for his weightlifting over the years, right back to when he first started in 1985:

Sri Chinmoy is a very spiritual man. I feel the reason Sri Chinmoy lifted this weight is because of his love of God and belief that through God all things are possible. This man has done the impossible because of faith, wisdom and love of God. Through God we can do anything and He allows us to reach beyond human endeavours. We may feel we can’t go on, but because we find inner faith, we do. The body says “stop,” but the spirit cries “never.” In the warrior’s code there is no stopping.

NYCRUNS is a popular website that lists races in the New York area.  We were pleasantly surprised to see the 6 & 10 Day Races listed. Although this race draws most of its runners from outside the U.S., multiday running has a rich history in the New York area. See Sam Shaw's article in Harpers Magazine for a detailed history of multi-day running (including our 3,100 Mile Race) and also our archives for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team's contributions to ultra running.  Did you know that the New York Road Runners Club hosted a 6 Day Race at what was then Downing Statium on Randall's Island in 1983 and 1984?

Here is what NYCRUNS had to say:

"If you’re late to the start for this event, hang around and take part in the six-day run starting four days after this race (i.e. 10-Day Race). We’d like to provide you a capsule summary of what Sri is all about, but it’s making our head hurt. Perhaps we’ll do an article on this fascinating and unique event in the future. For now, check out Sri Chimnoy’s web site, and if you do one of its events, let us know!" For complete article...