Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
The clear daytime with cool plus pleasant air left the runners moving well. Andrea Marcato led the way, passing 2,300 miles in 34d:06:20:36. 2nd place Vasu Duzhiy is around 94 miles behind, he went past 2,200 miles early in the day. Adrian Papuc reached 2100 miles in 34d:02:21:40. Adrian from Romania was also boosted by the visit of Cornel Feruţă, Permanent Representative of Romania to the United Nations. He met both Romanian runners, Adrian and Daniela Bojila and even took part in running some laps of the great course.
Challenging The Impossible
Yesterday was day 35 of the Sri Chinmoy 3,100-mile race. It seems hard to believe that our intrepid adventurers started their journey on August 30th, five weeks ago. So much has gone on in the world in that time, but every day since August 30th, 10 runners have continued to circle the loop around Thomas Edison High School. From afar, on a screen, it may seem the runners are making daily progress with monotonous regularity. However, each of the runners, every day, is dealing with issues both inner and outer, as they strive to finish the World’s longest certified road race.
The mental issues of just dealing with yourself on a daily basis, day after day, are just as much of a challenge. All ultra-runners know that the mind is a “mischievous monkey,” waiting to take their focus away from the task in hand at any moment. In a long multi-day race like the 3,100 mile race, it would be all too easy, to talk yourself into the comfort zone of taking a day off or going home early one day, but the challenge to achieve an average of around 60 miles a day to reach the goal, is what they have signed up for, knowing full well that, their own inherently strong motivation and belief in achieving the goal, will be challenged on a daily basis.
The physical issues of blisters, little niggles, and monitoring ongoing energy levels always come with the territory for an ultra-runner.
In a shorter race of 50 or 100 miles, or a 24-hour race, one can “tough it out, “ knowing it will be over soon, and a few days' rest will allow nature to take its course and restore the body to normal. In a long multi-day race, any of these issues needs assessment quickly. The key is not to be in denial over any issues and act early, so treatment can be given by the race medics.
Fixing shoes can also help the runner's feet
Normal wisdom, to allow the body to rest for a few days or undertake an alternative non load-bearing activity to recover, are not really an option here, except in exceptional circumstances.
While the long-term health of the runners is always paramount, the ability to manage and, over time, improve things to restore the body to a level where it can still cope with the huge demands placed on it, is an ongoing reality of the 3,100.
The runners are, in an almost magical way, faced with challenging impossibility on a daily basis.
“Shatter, shatter your impossibility-fear
And your impossibility challenges
Both in your inner life
And in your outer life!”
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
The cooler air helped the runners maintain their running abilities. Alex Ramsey was the top daily mileage with 65.3 miles. The debutant runner started the race conservatively and has been very gradually growing into the race. In this fifth week he is now averaging a highly daily mileage than in the first week. He has been a great addition to the race, and seems to be visibly enjoying the challenge.
The race leader Andrea Marcato reached 3600 km quite soon in 33:02:05:31. Mahasatya Janczak has also been getting stronger as the race goes on. He has also had a good week and moved into third place. He posted 2100 miles in 33d:10:55:34. Geng Lu-Cong also passed the 2100 miles in 33d:14:19:02. With 18 days left the runners must remain focused and run their best.
Whilst as spectators we tend to naturally focus on the runners and mileage, the 3100 Mile Race is like a big ship where - what you see above the surface - is only part of the story. Hidden away, there are equally important cogs in the great event, which is the 3100 Mile Race. One of the indispensable components of the race is a team of volunteer cooks who work around the clock to provide food and drinks for both the runners and helpers. This is a big operation, from continually buying food, to preparing food, cooking and then delivering to the race. The food is not only provided in large quantities, runners can be using up to 10,000 calories a day, but also needs to be tasty, varied and interesting. Sometimes, when running long distances, you may not feel like eating as much as you need to. But in a 52 day race, you don't just eat for the present moment, you are eating for the next days too. Any kind of caloric or protein deficit can be damaging.
Arpan visited the kitchen whilst preparing the food.
Video on food preparation
Other milestones
Vasu Duzhiy reached 3500 km in 33d:13:01:11.
Adrian Papuc moved past 3300 km in 33d:95:29:06.
Alex Ramsey reached 3300 km in 33d:09:54:38.
Milan Javornicky 3300 km in 33d:10:29:13.
Daniela Bojila reached 3300 km in 33d:13:56:37.
Harita Davies in the last 90 minutes reached 1900 miles in 33d:17:40:58.
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
It was a little chilly in the morning, but the runners were ready to test themselves again. Adrian Papuc reached 3200 km to test himself, 32:05:11:53, then it was time to reach 2000 miles. Soon there were three more to join the 2000 Mile Team. Alex Ramsey arrived at the mark next in 32:12:46:30. Milan Javornicky was headed the same way, eventually reaching 2000 miles in 32:13: 23:14.
Daniela Bojila went past the 3200 km as well as the other runners, reaching 32:14:15:14. Although she was a little behind the other runners, it was her test to get the 2000-mile mark in the last hour of the day. Her great effort was in 32:17:10:01. In the process, she set a new inaugural National record, as the only female runner from Romania to have covered the distance. Eight runners are on course to finish the 3100 Mile Race. Ananda- Lahari Zuscin, once again, was on a roll and topped the daily mileage totals with 68.6 miles
Day 33
Ultra runners can become ultra swimmers.
Competitors in the Sri Chinmoy 3,100-mile race are like a unique club or family. Their dedication to accomplishing a challenge that so few have accomplished is, in some ways, beyond comprehension. Jayasalini Olga Abramovskikh is a member of that family. She ran the Sri Chinmoy 3,100-mile race in 2014 and finished in a time of 51 days, 12 Hours, 30 minutes, and 32 seconds. She is an accomplished ultra runner and multi-day runner, but this year turned her attention to ultra-swimming. Yesterday, she attempted the classic ultra-swim across the English Channel.
The English Channel is approximately 21 miles or 33.5 kilometres wide from Dover, where they enter the sea, to the French coast, at or near Cap Gris Nez (between Boulogne and Calais). Due to the vagaries of winds and tides, swimmers often travel much further.
Strict rules are set by the Channel Swimming Association to ensure accurate record keeping and also the safety of swimmers in one of the world’s busiest shipping Lanes. They must be accompanied by a pilot boat with a support crew on board. Sri Chinmoy Marathon team members Shyamala and Abhejali were on board, along with Sarah Philpott, a coach to many of the channel swimmers in Dover.
Swimmers, once in the water, cannot touch the boat, and all food and drinks are handed over the side of the boat on a leash or on a net. Compared with running an ultramarathon on dry land, it gives an extra component of difficulty. Jayasalinii is a strong but slow swimmer. She was in the water for over 14 hours and was making excellent, if slow, progress to France, when the wind strengthened and the tides changed. This resulted in her drifting northwest and being in danger of being taken way up the coast into the exclusion zone outside Calais.
The pilot made the difficult decision to abort the swim when she had reached French waters. Although obviously disappointed, one hopes she will be strengthened by the experience. Everyone who takes on life’s ultimate sporting challenges knows there is never any real failure in putting themselves on the line and trying. We wish Jayasalini a speedy recovery before finding her next challenge.
“The determination in your heroic effort
Will permeate your mind and heart,
Even after your success or failure
Is long forgotten”
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
Another warm but pleasant day for the distance runners. Andrea Marcato started off the day reaching 3400 km in a splendid 31d - 02:43;06. as he kept the energy flowing. Vasu Duzhiy reached 3300 km in 31 days, 14:04:19. Then Alex Ramsey reached 1900 miles in 31 days, 02:30:12/ / followed by 3100 km in 31:10:08:47. Milan Javornicky followed Alex by reaching 1900 miles in 31:02:43:42. then 3100 km as well- 31:10:22:10. Then Daniela Bojila went past 1900 miles in 31:05:29:12. She also went past 3100 km in 31:13"28:55.
The best performances were a late trio of distance thrills. Geng Lucong reached 2000 miles- the first Chinese man to ever do that in a certified race. He covered it in 31:17:13:47. Soon after, Mahasatya Janczak reached 2000 miles as well, reaching in 31:17:16:58. It was the second time for this great distance. Finally, Harita Davies had reached 1800 miles in 31:17:10:14.
A helper's convention as race leader Andrea Marcato runs through the finish line.
Note US Gallery day 32 also contains videos of runners passing important milestones.
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
Andrea Marcato passed 2100 miles- 30d 17:27"08. With second place, Vasu Duzhiy passing 2000 miles in 30d 17:02:00. Debutant Geng Lu-Cong has been running a very steady race to accumulate 1,945.7 miles at an average of 62.8 miles.
Daily Average after day 31
International gathering
The 3100 Mile Race is held in Jamaica, Queens, New York. But, it is very much an international event. To take part in the race, runners have come from all over the world - China, New Zealand, Russia, United States, Slovakia, Poland, Italy and Romania. In fact, if you look at the results of the race over the years, you can see a real array of nations represented in the 3100 Mile Race. It is the same with the team of helpers, cooks and counters who put on the race. It creates a real sense of oneness and people working together.
Quote of the day
“In the heart of oneness, there is no superiority or inferiority; there is not even equality. There is only oneness-joy. It is not a competition-game, but a oneness-game.”
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
The runners were full of energy today, not to mention reaching great distances. The race leader, Andrea Marcato was the first to reach 2000 miles in 29d 06:36:26. Vasu Duzhiy passed 3100 km in 29d 12:54:00. After another 75-mile-plus day, Ananda-Lahari has 1720.9 miles, which is an average of 57.3 miles. A week ag,o he was averaging 53 miles, so he is making great progress. Adrian, Alex, Milan and Daniela all passed 1,800 miles. All the runners are maintaining their best efforts as we go into week 5 of the race.
Helpers
A key part of the race are those helping the runners. When you are running 16-18 hours a day, it doesn't leave you much time for mundane tasks like washing your clothes or buying special food. This is where helpers come in; they can get drinks, food ready to hand up, and also take care of buying extra shoes or making adjustments. But, also, the role of the helpers is more than just offering up food and drink; the support helps boost the runner's spirits and gives encouragement when things get difficult.
Being a helper is its own inner race and opportunity for self-transcendence. The good qualities that a helper needs are enthusiasm, eagerness, cheerfulness, detachment and a real willingness to serve their runner. But this sense of teamwork really adds to the spirit of the race, and if you ever visit the race in person, you can see the many helpers waiting near the start line for their runners to come.
Quote of the day
“He is happy
Because every day he tries
And actually does
A little more than he thinks he can.”
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
The 3100 Mile Race is very local - it takes place within a single block of Queens, New York, yet it has a truly global reach, with people following the race from around the world. With photos, videos, and livestreams, you can keep abreast of the race throughout its 52 days. Of course, if it is at all possible, it is highly recommended to visit the race in person. Everyday, usually some passing visitor will come to the race, either by chance or through a special visit. It is always a rewarding experience to see the race in person. Usually helpers will be happy to chat, though the runners will keep going!
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
A beautiful sunrise greeted the runners at the start of the day; it was an omen for beautiful things throughout the day. Ananda-Lahari Zuscin once again amazed with another 80 plus mile day. The rest of the runners generally have been very consistent and have steadily accumulated the miles. Several runners passed the 1700 mile mark today - Geng Lu-Cong, Mahasatya Janczak, Adrian Papuc, Alex Ramsey and Daniela Bojila are all within 60 miles of each other. These runners are all on an average mileage sufficient to finish. Race leader, Andrea Marcato passed 1,900 miles, almost 90 miles ahead of second place Vasu Duzhiy who currently has 1821 miles.
Geng Lu Cong passes 1,700 miles
An action shot. Arpan the helper gives food on the move
Even in such a long race, every second counts. Here, Arpan is handing out food and running alongside Andrea. It helps the runners to keep moving. The 3100 Mile Race is a real team effort. We celebrate the runner's achievements but each runner knows how much goes into the race from the cooks to helpers and those setting up the course every day.
Quote of the day
In the heart of oneness, there is no superiority or inferiority; there is not even equality. There is only oneness-joy. It is not a competition-game, but a oneness-game.”
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
Yesterday the runners had to contend with off-and-on rain showers, but despite the extra challenge of wet gear, the 10 brave travellers continued their inexorable journey towards the ultimate goal. Vasu Duzhiy and Alex Ramsey were the day's top scorers with 64.2 miles. Daniela Bojila reached 1,600 miles in 26 days, 5 hrs. 51 min. 06 secs. And just 49 seconds later Alex Ramsey reached exactly the same mileage - 1,600 miles in 26 days. 5 hrs. 51 min. 49 seconds. An incredibly close affair at 1,600 miles! Though we have never had a sprint finish to decide the 3100-mile race.
Runners in good spirits
As one race director dryly observed there is a 100% chance of weather at the 3100 Mile Race. In the early years the race was run during the summer months of July and August to avoid the school term. This meant runners often having to contend with 100 degrees temperatures and high humidity. As you can imagine, that kind of heat makes it extra difficult when the body naturally feels more tired. In recent years, the race has been moved to starting at the end of August, which generally means cooler temperatures. It also means the pavement (crosswalks) is frequently thronged with students at the end of the school day, which can slow down a runner.
Start of day 27
A feature of the weather in New York at this time of the year is its variability. A few years ago, the tail end of a storm hit the race with driving rain and cold for many days. Being prepared for days of constant rain is one of the thing you have to be prepared for. It can mean extra work in drying out clothes, socks and running gear. Rain can also make blisters more likely. So far this year, the weather has been relatively good in this race, and this has helped both the runners and helpers, but you always need to be prepared for whatever the weather gods may send.
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
Daniela Bojila, Milan Javornicky and Alex Ramsey all crossed the half-way point today. Late in the day Harita Davies passed 1500 miles. Vasu Duzhiy has had, as usual, an amazingly consistent race. Yesterday he was the top mileage with 66.4 miles to leave him in 2nd place with 1,694 miles. Age 59, Vasu has finished all 12 races that he has started, with 3 wins to his name. Vasu has also been teaching some of his tips and techniques for stretching to the new runners like Alex.
To complete the 3100 Mile Race a runner needs to constantly work on all aspects of running. This means stretching, massaging, listening to the body, getting treatment for blisters, eating and drinking well. And that is just the physical aspect of the run, just as challenging is the mental challenge of staying positive, happy and focused on the race day by day.
Andrea - two shoes
Also, as this photo of Andrea Marcato shows, the race can be very tough on your feet - hardly surprising given 18 hours a day on the concrete. There is a particular skill in making adjustment to shoes in order to survive blisters of feet that expand in the heat. This photo above shoes Andrea using different shoes for right and left. During the race, the runners can get through innumerable pairs of shoes and often need their very own customisations. Aharan a helper at the race is a great expert in helping with shoe modifications.
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
It was a great day at the 3100 Mile Race with another two runners, Mahasatya Janczak and Adrian Papuc crossing the halfway point (1,500 miles). They are both running at a similar pace and just 4 miles separates them between 4th and 5th place. Daniela Bojila, Milan Javornicky and Alex Ramsey all crossed the 1,500 miles point, and should pass the half-way point today. The top eight runners are all currently meeting the daily average necessary to finish.
But, in a race as long as the 3100 Mile, anything can happen. Typically, as the race goes on runners can tire and average mileages slowly decrease. But, also amazingly runners can run themselves into good form or they can become more receptive to the special energy of the race and actually get faster. Yesterday was another spectacular day for Ananda-Lahari Zuscin, who ran 81.7 miles, and this was after a really impressive 3 day mileage total. It is the highest daily total of any runner since day 1 when all the runners were fresh.
Daily Averages after Day 25
Quote of the day
“I do not have any set goal; my goal is self-transcendence. I always try to transcend myself. I do not compete with the rest of the world. I compete only with myself, and I try to become a better human being. This is my ultimate goal.”
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
Yesterday was day 24 of the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100-mile race. Andrea Marcato and Adrian Papuc were yesterday's top runners, both with 119 laps or 65.3 miles. Vasu Duzhiy became the second runner to reach 1550 miles, the halfway distance in 23 Days +14:53:59. While Geng Lu-Cong reached 1500 miles and, all being well, will reach the halfway mark today. Daniela Bojila in her first 3100 Mile race crossed the 1,400-mile distance.
Messages of Support
A daily feature of the race is when, at around 4:30pm each afternoon, associate race director, Sahishnu Szcsesiul, arrives at the race. It is a time of the day eagerly awaited, for he is also “The mailman,” bringing messages of support that have been sent to the runners.
All the messages that have been mailed in are dutifully printed off, collated, and brought to the race. Sahisnu waits near the “race refreshment area,” and as each runner passes by, they are handed their individual messages to be read and absorbed. The messages might be news from home, from friends and family, poems, and inspirational quotes to inspire them, or just general messages of support.
Alex Ramsey, the sole American runner in this year's event, had a surprise packet of messages recently. The young students at Free-Union City School in Charlotteville, Virginia, sent Alex a raft of good luck messages. It seems they don’t even know Alex, but heard about the race and saw an interview with him in the early days of the race. They were so inspired that they decided to write messages of support and hand-written drawings for him.
Alex was extremely touched by the support, as you can hear in this short video
When you are competing in a race this long, in a small, compact environment, for up to 52 days, it is easy to forget that normal life continues outside of the race. It cannot be underestimated how simple little things like a message can lift the spirits and make a good day even better. The runners do appreciate it, so keep sending the messages of support, even if, like the young students at Union-Free School, you do not even know the runners. You can send messages at the “Message the Runners” button at the top of the race home page.
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
Race leader Andrea Marcato passed the halfway point in a time of 22 days, 7 hours, 48 minutes. It is a huge psychological boost to feel the majority of the race has been completed. But, the day really belonged to Ananda-Lahari Zuscin who ran 77.3 miles, offering tremendous inspiration to the other runners. Ananda-Lahari had a difficult time in the early part of the race, but in recent weeks is seeing new energy come. Ananda-Lahari's strategy is to not push or pull but wait for the energy and inspiration to come. It is great to see.
"Helping a classic repetitive strain exercise become less repetitive”
Daniela Bojila walking backwards
A previous post mentioned the almost imperceptible rise and fall of the loop around Thomas Edison High School. From a physical point of view, the repetitive nature of the event puts a huge strain on the body and the principal lower limb muscle groups. Alternating the direction each day certainly helps make a classic repetitive strain exercise slightly less repetitive
Daily massage from the event medics certainly helps manage this, too. The runners also incorporate various stretching exercises to help combat the general ongoing muscle fatigue. You can often see the runners hanging off the school railings to stretch out their backs. Another favourite one for many is waking backwards. A Short 50 metres of 'backwards walking' or putting the body into reverse, works muscles in a slightly different way, momentarily, helping to counteract the relentless, forward motion, mile after mile. Simple little, regular, daily “body maintenace” goes a long way to help the body cope with running 3,100 miles.
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
It is Day 22, and we are into the fourth week of the Sri Chinmoy 3,100-mile race. Entering the fourth week, Andrea Marcato today became the first runner to go beyond 1500 miles in 21 days+ 12:50:15 He leads the race by around 80 miles from Vasy Duzhiy.
Mahasatya Janczak, Milan Javonicky, Daniela Bojila, and Alex Ramsay all reached the significant milestone of 1,300 miles today
Mahasatya Janczak, 21 Days +1:08:18
Milan Javonicky, 21 Days +7:35:01
Daniela Bojila, 21 Days. +8:07:03
Alex Ramsay 21 Days +9:41:43
The first 3,100-mile race was held in 1997. On November 21st, 1989. Eight years before the first 3,100-mile race, Sri Chinmoy was interviewed by Jin Hanc, a well-known New York Journalist. At the time, the 1,300-mile race was the longest the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team had organised.
John Hanc: On the ultra-distance side, you and the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team have been leaders in expanding the limits of what people can run. Do you think there will be any limit to the distance people can run? Ten years from now, will we be talking about a 2,000-mile or a 5,000-mile run?
Sri Chinmoy: “No, there is no limit to the distance because there is no limit to human capacity. Human capacity depends on our inner hunger — how sincerely we need something or are crying for something. In the material world, if someone has tremendous greed and wants to become a multi-millionaire, he works very hard and eventually he fulfils his desire. But by possessing the material world, we can never be happy. We can only find joy by serving as an instrument of God and fulfilling His Will. If God wants us to be a sprinter or an ultramarathon runner and if we follow His Dictates, then naturally we will become very happy. It will not matter if we stand first or last. Success or failure, we shall place at His Feet. What matters is that we are pleasing God in His own Way. How do we know what God wants us to do? By praying and meditating.
But even on the outer plane, our capacity is constantly expanding. Right now, 1,300 miles is our longest race. To run 1,300 miles in 18 days is almost beyond our imagination. We feel that is our ultimate capacity. But previously, we felt that 1,000 miles was the limit. Who thought of a 1,300-mile race five years ago? At that time, people would have thought I was a crazy man if I had suggested that. But now you see that this crazy man was right because people are doing it. Somebody just has to start. We always have to go ahead because life means progress.
The inner runner is always trying to inspire the outer runner. First, the inner runner says, “Go forward, go forward, go ahead, go ahead!” Then the outer runner says, “How can I go ahead if you do not give me the aspiration and inner cry?” Then the inner runner gives the outer runner the inner cry to do something and to become something good. In this way, the inner runner offers inspiration and aspiration to the outer runner. (Source)
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
Day 21 and the races inch towards the half-way point, but this will not be on the minds of the runners who continue to amaze with their regular feats of self-transcendence.
"Determination and impossibility are never to be found together.”
– Sri Chinmoy
The runners of the 3100 Mile Race are really proving in a tangible way the reality of this aphorism by Sri Chinmoy. The idea of running 3100 miles would have sounded impossible to many people in the past; perhaps even today, the idea of averaging 60 miles a day for 52 days still sounds nearly impossible. But, although these runners are not necessarily natural born athletes, they show that with real determination and receptivit, the seemingly impossible can become possible.
There was a time when people thought running a marathon was too much. It wasn't until 1984 that the Olympics offered a women's marathon. But, in the past decades, the idea of what is possible in terms of ultra-distance has been stretched. And when a pioneer in any field shows something is possible, it gives inspiration to those of us following this race to do a little more in our own lives.
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
Day 20, the pleasant sun and lack of rain enabled the runners to show their ability. Quite a few of the first time runners are now running distances they have never before achieved, a step into the unknown.
We have reached day 20 of the Sri Chinmoy 3,100-mile race. After almost three weeks, sometimes the enormity of the task still ahead of them is hard for the runners to comprehend. Fatigue and tiredness are almost natural companions from the moment you wake up. The mind can play games with you and for fleeting moments. Running for another four weeks or more seems unfathomable. The race founder, Sri Chinmoy, often sought to reassure runners that the task was indeed possible. Offering advice and encouragement on a regular basis. Thirteen time finisher, Suprabha Beckford, once asked Sri Chinmoy the following question.
13 times finisher Suprabha Beckjord with Sri Chinmoy (photo Adarini)
Question. Is there some spiritual quality that I can invoke during the 3,100 mile race this year or something new I can do to really please the Supreme? Outwardly, I know my goal is to finish the race and to transcend my best time and so forth, but is there something I can do inwardly to please the Supreme?
Sri Chinmoy: “Now the question is what qualities do you need to bring forward from your inner life when you are running? The first one is enthusiasm. Who embodies enthusiasm? A little child. Who can be more enthusiastic than a child? He enters into a garden and runs here and there, appreciating everything that he sees. Then in addition to enthusiasm you need eagerness. Again, who has more eagerness than a little child. If he plays with a toy, he is so eager. His whole world is the toy”
“Now, while running 3,100 miles, you have to deal with fatigue— when you are tired, exhausted, dead. As long as you are in the mind, you will always have fatigue, tiredness, weariness and everything. But the moment you enter into your heart, there is no fatigue. What you will find is constant energy.”
“If you can feel that you are a five or six year old child, tiredness will not come into your mind. A child does not know what tiredness is, He only knows enthusiasm and eagerness. Never think of 60 miles or 3,100 miles. Never take the distance in that way—Never. Only run for the joy of it.”
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
The air was a bit damp today, the race experienced some light rain duing mid-evening as the group of ten continued on their journey. Andrea Marcato, the race leader ran 64.7 miles to pass 1,300 miles, finishing with 1323.9 miles. Vasu Duzhiy passed the 2,000km mark and Ananda-Lahari Zuscin became the 10th runner to pass 1,000 miles.
Stutisheel Lebedev is a former participant in the 3100 Mile Race and has finished the race 10 times. (see: Results) This year, with an intricate knowledge of the race he is not running, but helping to organise the race. Stutisheel is also offering a daily video of the race. In today's video, he asks the runners for their favourite part of the course. Since the runners spend up to 18 hours a day on the course, it is something that becomes close to their heart. His question is inspired by a comment Sri Chinmoy, the race founder, made after the 2005 race - find a particular part of the course that gives joy and inspiration and inwardly offer gratitude when passing this point.
3 runners take a momentary break during the morning to appreciate a light-hearted skit, a tradition with "Enthusiasm Awakeners" singing group.
It is a powerful way to change the attitude towards the race and course. At first glance, we might see the concrete lap as a real challenge when we have to run so many laps, but the philosophy of the race is self-transcendence and looking at the challenge in a different way. To the mind, the race seems impossible and boring, but to the heart, the race can give an inner joy and satisfaction.
Quote of the day
Gratitude can transform
Our life
Sooner than anything else.
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
Andrea Marcato the five-time winner of the 3100 Mile Race reached 2000 km today. His time was a fine 13:19:20:26- on the 18th day of the longest race. The breezy wind helped the runners to move along well throughout the day.
At first glance, the 3100 Mile Race course looks fairly flat. Certainly, there are no steep hills. Nevertheless, within the course, there are gentle gradients and a total height gain of 3.14m per lap. To a casual observer walking along the course, it is the kind of height gain you may not give too much attention.
A very small hill which can become a mountain during the 3100 Mile Race
But, for the runners who are endeavouring to run 5,653 laps, each little height gain becomes of tremendous importance. You will see runners adopt their style to walk up an incline and pick up their pace on the downhill. Each day, the race changes direction, which means the height gain appears in different ways. Some runners even talk about one direction feeling more like an 'uphill' version.
One aspect of the 3100 Mile Race is that everything is on a much more extreme level. Runners go through numerous pairs of shoes, get through thousands of calories a day (close to 10,000 as one estimate) but also in terms of height gain. During the course of the race, the runners will effectively ascend a total height gain of 17,750 meters! If you consider that Mount Everest is 8,848m, it means that during the race, the runners will effectively ascend twice the height of Mount Everest. Quite a remarkable feat of vertical height gain to go along with the horizontal distance.
Quote of the Day
Spirituality is not like coasting
But exactly like climbing —
Climbing ten thousand Himalayas.
- Sri Chinmoy
Geng Lucong and helper
Milestones on Day 18
Adrian Papuc reached 1100 miles in 12:13:13:58.
Mahasatya Janczak- reached 1100 miles in 14:03:50:17.
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
Another good day for running and a bright, cool start became a warm midday and afternoon, before cooler temperatures in the evening. The runners are using noticeably more ice over the last two days, as helpers keep neck sleeves filled with ice chunks to help keep body temperature under control.
It is a tradition of the Sri Chinmoy 3,100-mile race that significant milestones are celebrated by the ringing of small handheld bells. Today, there was a flurry of bell ringing as five of the runners reached 1,000 miles. Adrian Papuc was the first early this morning, with Mahasatya Janczak following at lunchtime.
Daniela Bojila reaches 1,000 Miles
In the late afternoon, Daniella Bojila reached her major milestone. for the first time in a time of 16 Days +9 Hours 31 Minutes 18 Seconds. Daniela is only the second female Romanian athlete to achieve this. Marie Alexandra Guler-Cionca is the other who recorded 15 days 21:23:50 in 2020.
Within the next hour, Milan Javornicky and our “Smiling American” Alex Ramsey also reached 1,000 miles in 16 days +09:45:15 and 16 Days +10:19:29, respectively.
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
The good weather is helping the runners continue on their journey towards the ultimate goal of 3100 Miles. But whilst the race has a mind-boggling ultimate goal, every moment and every lap count in this race. The runners deal with such a huge target by staying focused in the moment and reaching mini milestones throughout the day and throughout the race. An important milestone is when the runner's mileage total moves over to four figures. Yesterday Vasu Duzhiy and Geng Lu-Cong joined race leader Andrea Marcato in passing 1,000 miles. Today, more should follow.
