- Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team USA

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.

"New Hampshire State Marathon Record Broken at the Sri Chinmoy Inspiration Marathon, February 6." (Press Release). February 6, 1983. Retrieved 2013-1-15. Archive copy at the Sri Chinmoy Marathon office, New York.

"An ample field of sub 2:30'ers and a bright, crisp and almost windless day combined to bring a new New Hampshire State record of 2:22:08 to Rob Hurlburt of Warren, NH. in the Sri Chinmoy Inspiration Marathon, Hampton, NH., Sunday February 6. Also besting last year's record of 2:24:19 set by Dave Severance of Gilmanton, NH. were second and third place finishers Rocky Moulton (25) of the Great Bay TC, Burlington, VT (2:22:19) and Peter Thomas (28), Hurlburt's coach at Keene State College (2:22:32).

First woman was Catherine McGarty of Ipswich, Mass. who, in her first marathon ever, charged across the line in 2:57:37, setting a new course record over Amy Morss-Leeds' 3:13:44 set in the 1982 running of this event.

The front runners went out fast with Hurlburt and Moulton running together slightly behind the lead pack which included Peter Thomas. At 13 miles, they caught Thomas only to see Moulton drop off pace slightly giving the lead to teammates Thomas and Hurlburt. At the 20 mile mark Thomas made his move, taking a short-lived 100 year lead but Hurlburt rallied and surged ahead. Moulton overtook Thomas at the 25 mile mark to finish second between Hurlburt and coach Thomas.

This is he fourth running of the Inspiration Marathon, conceived to provide incentive for runners to maintain their mileage through the cold months. It also serves as a qualifying run for the Boston Marathon - bringing in 75 qualifiers out of some 300 entrants.

Leeds, Peter. "Sri Chinmoy Marathon: Records lowered despite winter weather." New England Running. March 1983.

"...McGarty came hoping to be able to finish: 'My longest run was 14 miles, I think. I know I never ran anywhere near 26 miles...

"The consistently fast times on this certified course are a tribute to the organization and hard work that the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team from New York put into this race. Established to inspire runners to maintain fitness thought the winter, this event has now attained the status of being the record setter in New Hampshire, even though the other choices are in more temperate fall weather. With more than 100 support workers accommodating the 300 runners, no details are left uncovered - an important feature for both the fast marathoner and the back of the pack plodder."