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.
Ashprihanal sets wrold record in 3,100 Mile race

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.

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The 27th Annual Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race

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