Devashishu’s observations:
Today we were blessed with blue skies and sunshine. The sunny weather was reflected in the faces of all the helpers, who come from so many different countries: Brazil, Germany, Poland, Ireland, England, France, Portugal, Switzerland, Netherlands, Czech, Slovakia, Italy, Japan, California, New York, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania and of course Austria.
Among the recently arrived delegation from Portugal is the great Paralympic marathon runner, Jorge Pina. Jorge competed for his country in Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016. He will compete in Tokyo when it is rescheduled.
Jorge is the epitome of Self-Transcendence. In his younger days he was a famous up and coming boxer, a rising star, when an unfortunate sparring accident left him deprived of his eyesight. He immediately channelled all his energy into running. Now he runs an Academy in Lisbon that offers children from poorer backgrounds a chance to develop their athletic capacities. He is a source of sleepless inspiration and boundless positivity.
Everyone who comes to help at this 3100 mile race does so as a volunteer. It is this culture of selflessness that makes this event a most valuable experience for all involved. The runners are giving everything to complete the course. The helpers are giving everything to support the runners. The joy comes from the dedication. The reward is the profound sense of oneness. What a model for the world at large.
Ushika had one more very steady day. He managed this day with only one
20 minute break. Getting once more the ‘victory of the day’, with 109,5 km.
Shortly before midnight, Jorge Pina ran with him for a while. Which gave Ushika a real thrill. At midnight they very warmly embraced each other. This was Ushikas’ last full 18-hour day. Tomorrow he has another 68 km (42 miles)
to run, to reach the long awaited goal of 3100 miles. He will better his previous finishing time by almost one day. He finished in 2018 in 50 days 7 hours and 34 minutes. This year, tomorrow approximately at 6 pm in 49 days and 12 hours.
Today in second place Milan ran a steady 92,8 km. He has very nice helpers from his Czech teammates.
Nirbhasa with 87,6 km is ‘bringing the Race home’. This years’ experience for him has not been comfortable or enjoyable.
Sometimes when a runner has to walk a lot it can feel like time goes slower. Being able to jog gives much more joy, more dynamism ….
But sometimes the very difficult Races can give us rewards we would never imagine, especially inwardly and most of the time we might find out long after the Race is over. Thank you, Nirbhasa for not giving up and finishing the Race so humbly and devotedly.
Ananda-Lahari did 83,4 km. For the second time in this Race I heard him asking for coffee….
During the last sentence Nayak from Seattle wrote me:
‘ Hi Priyavadin, please pass a message along to Nirbhasa. Tell him that all of the Sri Chinmoy Centre Seattle is rooting for him. We feel inspiration very mightily from his heroic effort. It brings tears to our eyes. To do this kind of thing makes Guru so present to us.
Please pass along to Nirbhasa and tell him we are running with him. Nayak ‘
Let us celebrate Ushika’s victory tomorrow!
Priyavadin
Stats
Ushika Muckenhumer- 3000miles- 48:03:09:46; 4900km- 48:14:55:25- both PB’s
Nirbhasa Magee- 4700km- 48:03:54:52
Ananda-Lahari Zuscin-4300km-48:09:03:50
Milan Javornicky- 2600miles- 48:17:25:55
Ushika Muckenhumer has only 66 laps to reach his 3100-mile Goal- 68.88km/ 42.801miles. He should finish around 1700 local time, give or take 30 minutes due to weather conditions, or running faster as the goal approaches, or, even- much faster speed. He will reach a personal best by nearly 14 hours, eclipsing his 2018 effort. He will move up a place or two on the all-time list. What a runner. You can get a more accurate estimate by watching the webcam on www.3100.srichinmoyraces.org.
The other three runners were steady again, with Nirbhasa on pace to finish Tuesday evening, easily before the endgame.
Milan keeps setting personal best distances and is running consistently. Last year on Day 49 in New York, Ananda-Lahari ran 89.45 miles, the most anyone has ever run so late in the event. Will he extend it to Day 50 this year at Salzburg? Inquiring minds wish to know, although, I feel he could do that, and maybe even 100miles, if the effort from body, mind and heart struck his fancy.
Who knows….
Sahishnu
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