Nirbhasa is originally from Ireland but currently lives in Reykjavik, Iceland. He is an enthusiastic multi-day runner, having completed four times the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race - the longest race in the world.
This year's 3100 Mile race took place this year in New York in September and October. In addition there were two (at least that we know of!) solo runs of 3100 miles, inspired by the race's message of self-transcendence and the unlimited power of the human spirit.
On 14 June of this year, Frenchman Patrick Malandain began a 3100 mile journey on a in his home town of Montivilliers in Normandy. Patrick is no stranger to ultra endurance events, having completed 10,000 kilometers in less than 100 days in 2016. He completed his journey on August 3rd on Day 51 - an average of around 102 km per day.
On 17 September, Shamita Achenbach-König began her 3100 mile journey in her home town of Vienna, completing her 52-day journey on November 7. Previously, Shamita participated in the 3100 Mile Race in New York in 2016, and featured in the documentary film 3100: Run and Become.
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The Power of Meditation: a 3100 TEDx talk
By Nirbhasa Mageeauthor bio »
26 July
About the author:
Nirbhasa is originally from Ireland but currently lives in Reykjavik, Iceland. He is an enthusiastic multi-day runner, having completed four times the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race - the longest race in the world.
Due to the pandemic, the 2020 3100 Mile Race was held in 2020 in Salzburg, Austria and Klaus Tiefenbrunner, a native Salzburger, had a front row seat! He spent many days at the race interviewing and filming the runners for an upcoming documentary, and became a real part of our 3100 race family.
Earlier this year, Klaus was invited to Samokov, Bulgaria to share his experiences of the 3100 mile race.
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.
Nirbhasa Magee, who finished the 2020 edition of the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile race was featured in an article in the Meath Chronicle. Nirbhasa is a native of Summerhill, Co Meath in Ireland and currently lives in Iceland. After the race, he spoke to the paper about the challenges and experiences of this unique race. He also explains how practising meditation with Sri Chinmoy opened up many new possibilities, which led him to seek a sense of self-transcendence in both meditation and ultra-distance running. Speaking of the race, Magee said:
"You actually learn a great deal about yourself, participating in this race, which was probably the hardest of the four I've done. It's almost like your a different person coming out of the race than you are going into it, there's a definite process of personal change and transformation that takes place, a process of personal growth. You really have to expand yourself to get past the problems that you face."
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 2020 edition of the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence Race was held in Salzburg, Austria with five runners attempting to complete the 3,100 miles (nearly 5,000km). Usually, the race is held in New York, US, but due to Covid could not occur this year. Undaunted by the challenges of organising this epic race at short notice, a team of volunteers put on an excellent race around a scenic 1km loop in Salzburg. Although the race numbers were limited to five runners, the event required the dedicated support of helpers, cooks, counters and marshalls to ensure the safe running of this event. Event organiser Priyavadin Reisecker, who runs The Heart of Joy cafe in Salzburg, ensured that the race was able to offer this unique event in the new location. The organisers and runners also had to deal with one of the wettest autumns on record and frequent rain - which made the race more challenging for the 16 hour days.
The standout performance of the race was the remarkable achievements of race debutant Andrea Marcato (38) from Italy. His time of 43 days, 12 hours, 7 minutes is a record for a first-time entrant and the fifth fastest finish of all time. He also set multiple Italian distance records during his run and is now ranked fifth worldwide. After finishing he said:
“I am really happy that I basically covered all the distances, which are available in the world. So I am really happy and satisfied now. The feeling of deep satisfaction, inner peace and joy, which I perceived for a whole month after finishing 10-day races motivated me to run the world's longest certified road race. A feeling which I did not get after 24-hour races.”
A report of his final day is available here, and some of Marcato's statistics can be seen in this summary here.
In second place, was Austrian Ushika Muckenhumer (52) who lives serendipitously close to the course. He finished with a personal best time of 49 days, 14 hours, 13 minutes and was ably encouraged by his family and friends. During the race, he also received the particular support of the Austrian President who sent the runners a message of good wishes for their feats of self-transcendence.
“I can't even imagine what it is like to run constantly through 52 days. Yes, I like to go hiking for a few hours. But running 52 days, 118 marathons - unbelievable! What a breathtaking endurance performance. You are assured of my respect. I wish all participating athletes, especially the Salzburg local hero Hubert Muckenhumer, all the best, lots of success and the necessary perseverance for the next extremely challenging days of running ” (link)
In third place was Nirbhasa Magee from Ireland. It was Magee's fourth finish out of four entries to the race - a great record made more remarkable for his period of illness during the race which left him with an understandable feeling of exhaustion. However, battling through tiredness, he walked for several days and was able to finish on the last day after accumulating a buffer in the earlier part of the race.
Ananda-Lahari Zuscin, 45, from Slovakia could not finish within the allotted time, but cheerfully raced for 51 days to accumulate 2799.6 miles. Zuskin has finished the race on six occasions and is one of the most frequent entrants, impressing watchers with his cheerfulness and determination, no matter how fast he is able to run.
Milan Javornicky, 46, from the Czech Republic was another first-time entrant and he achieved his own feat of self-transcendence, overcoming painful shin splints to manage 2,713.9 miles. Despite his obvious discomfort for much of the race, he was determined to keep going and run as best he could.
All five runners in their own different ways lived up to the ideal of self-transcendence, which Sri Chinmoy has made the heart of the race.
“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.”
– Sri Chinmoy
Sri Chinmoy, a spiritual teacher himself was a notable athlete, running several marathons and ultra-marathons. He founded the 3100 Mile Race in 1996 as the ultimate test for runners to challenger their own physical, mental and spiritual limits. In particular, speaking at the first awards ceremony on 2 August 1997, Sri Chinmoy envisaged the wider impact of this special race to spread goodwill and peaceful energy.
"This 3,100 miles is an unprecedented journey in our world-peace-manifestation-dream. World-peace can come into existence only when we are inundated with patience and perseverance. Infinite patience we need in our inner life and perseverance we need in our outer life.
These 3,100 miles remind us of one divine and supreme reality: we can and we must do everything at our command to transform the world of lethargy and unwillingness to be dynamic. Unwillingness we do not leave behind us. Therefore happiness remains always a far cry. Willingness to give, willingness to achieve, willingness to grow and glow should be the message of our souls. With our souls' blessings we can and will fulfil our earthly life." - Sri Chinmoy
Local support
The race also captured the imagination of many locals who got used to seeing the runners and helpers out on the course. Many remarked on how they were inspired by the runners and how the race had a noticeable impact on the atmosphere of the park
"I've been noticing the tent for days, but I thought it was just one of the many charity events. Now I know the data, facts and background. You need time to really understand it. These five men make the impossible possible. We come here every day now." Race coverage local press
Local Kindergarten teacher Präauer was reported in the local press as saying:
"Since the beginning of the race there has been a subtle and even more clear change in the living space in our area. The peaceful coexistence becomes visible every day. Total strangers talk to each other, look at each other, are interested....There is a new openness for many who enter and use this park: walkers, runners, cyclists, children and again more children, dogs, people of many nationalities and in between the athletes who meditatively and actively dedicate their life to peace. I am happy with everyone who experiences this. And I am happy for the many children who are watching enthusiastically and are given new role models." Article on the race
The event has been covered in several papers across Europe including
Letter of support from Brother David to the runners
By Tejvan Pettingerauthor bio »
7 October
About the author:
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.
Dear runners in the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence Race in Salzburg, my dear brothers,
Than you very much for the gift you give us all by your running. I, too, may - althrough from a great distance - participate in this magnificent festival of meditative sports: My thoughts and heartfelt blessings are with you.
In the spirit of Sri Chinmoy's understanding of sport, I wish each of you, that "sweet spot" where you simply become identical to your running. Then it's no longer about speed, it's no longer about any success; then you're just completely in the Now. But this Now is the fulcrum of a mysterious leverage through which your good intentions can lift the whole world higher towards the light.
Also to all helpers and all those who participate in this event, I would like to thank you an give them many good wishes.
In cordial connection
Your Brother David
---
Brother David Steindl-Rast is a world famous 94-year-old Austrian Benedictine monk who lived for 50 years in USA (Mount Saviour Monastery) and now he is living in Austria again for several years. He is also a well known author and has written many books. Brother David was always helpful and loving to the students of Sri Chinmoy. He calls them his brothers and sisters.
His first meeting with Sri Chinmoy took place, 1975 at the Interfaith Festival "Spiritual Summit Conference", where Mother Teresa also participated.
Nov. 2003: Meeting with Sri Chinmoy at "Aspiration Ground" New York
June 2017: Recieve "Torch Bearer Award", Salzburg, Austria from Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run.
Bruder David Steindl-Rast ist ein weltberühmter 94-jähriger österreichischer Benediktinermönch, der 50 Jahre in den USA (Mount Saviour Monastery) lebte und nun seit einigen Jahren wieder in Österreich ist. Er ist auch ein sehr bekannter Autor und hat viele Bücher geschrieben. Bruder David ist den Schülern von Sri Chinmoy sehr zugetan (er nennt sie „meine Brüder und Schwestern“) und hat sie nach außen immer unterstützt.
Sein erstes Treffen mit Sri Chinmoy fand 1975 beim Interfaith Festival „Spiritual Summit Conference“ statt, an dem auch Mutter Teresa teilnahm. Nov. 2003 Treffen mit Sri Chinmoy am „Aspiration Ground“ Juni 2017 Verleihung des „Torch Bearer Award“, Salzburg, Österreich.
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Audio: how I train for multi-day races
By Nirbhasa Mageeauthor bio »
9 January
About the author:
Nirbhasa is originally from Ireland but currently lives in Reykjavik, Iceland. He is an enthusiastic multi-day runner, having completed four times the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race - the longest race in the world.
Most ultra-runners have to balance training for many hours a day with the demands of their regular life, and Jayasalini Abramovskikh is no exception, working at least 9 hours a day at her job as an economist. Jayasalini has run our 6 and 10 day race many times, and in 2014 became the first Russian woman to complete the 3100 Mile Race. She talks how she keep her really long runs for weekends and public holidays, how she varies her training, and (interestingly) how she prefers to undertrain rather than overtrain.
In her interview, she also talked about how she got into ultrarunning in the first place:
Video: Jayasalini talks about her 3100 Mile Race experience
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A first-hand account of running the world's longest race
By Nirbhasa Mageeauthor bio »
1 September
About the author:
Nirbhasa is originally from Ireland but currently lives in Reykjavik, Iceland. He is an enthusiastic multi-day runner, having completed four times the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race - the longest race in the world.
Running in rhythm with the heart, Jayasalini Olga Abramovskikh's account of her epic finish of the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race, is now available in a new English translation.
In 2014, Jayasalini became the first Russian woman to complete the race when she crossed the line in 51 days, 12 hours and 31 minutes - less than 6 hours before the cut-off. Before she attempted this race, Jayasalini was also a regular participant in the Sri Chinmoy 6 and 10 day races held every April in Flushing Meadows, Queens, invariably finishing in the top three runners.
In the book - subtitled 'A book on the love of running, and the dream to cross the finish line of the longest race in the world' - Jayasalini talks about what inspired her to contemplate such a long race, her training and preparation, and her experiences during and after the race. Originally published in Russian, the English translation came out this month.
Nirbhasa is originally from Ireland but currently lives in Reykjavik, Iceland. He is an enthusiastic multi-day runner, having completed four times the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race - the longest race in the world.
Sandhani Fitch has been marking and certifying courses for Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team races ever since the very first race in 1977; here he shares a few interesting details about how the now-famous course for the 3100 Mile Race - a half-mile loop around a high school, sports field and playground - came to be chosen.
I have worked on Sri Chinmoy’s running races since the very first Sri Chinmoy 10.6 mile race in Greenwich, Connecticut. Sahishnu (Sczeziul, associate race director) and I plotted a scenic course in northern Greenwich that was a hilly single loop. Sri Chinmoy had just begun his own personal distance running career and by the following year, with one more similar Sri Chinmoy race in New Canaan, Connecticut, we got some feedback from him. The first directive was to select flat courses! Secondly, Sri Chinmoy wanted aid stations at one-mile intervals for the runners. A year or two later he recommended using a one-mile loop for most of our races, no matter the overall distance.
These outer conditions that he proposed laid the foundation for the multi-day ultras he asked us to stage in the following years. The race directors in short time evolved into the team we have now. Sri Chinmoy always had faith that we had the willingness to do what he asked. We never questioned his requests, and with the amazing help provided by so many Marathon Team members in so many ways, his vision became a reality.
In the early 1990’s Sri Chinmoy asked if his students could stage a 2700-mile race! It took about 4 years of searching for staging areas for the race until we finally saw that no park was going to let us occupy an area around the clock for 47 days. He then said to stage it within 5 minutes of our neighborhood. We, in turn, asked about running for 18 hours and closing the course for 6 hours, and he said fine. We were then left with the choice between our current 2-mile race course around Jamaica High School, or what is now our 3100-mile course which I measured and submitted for certification. Our concerns were that it was only a little over a half mile and that it was a concrete sidewalk and not a softer “blacktop” surface. You know the course Sri Chinmoy chose.
Two general but profound things I have always felt about Sri Chinmoy’s races: First, he created them according to his vision, and was never bound by the conventions of the racing community. The distance or the time was always somewhat different, the previously mentioned conditions were applied to all the races, and the services and human contact with the participants provided by all the team members volunteering was very significant.
Second, and most meaningful to me, is what Sri Chinmoy brought to the earth consciousness in and through these events. God alone knows what he does, but I have always been able to feel it. The reason he could do this is because the races are totally his creation, and are made possible by the self-giving of all his students and volunteers and, most importantly, the willingness and determination of the runners to conquer these enormous distances. The Marathon Team makes the commitment to put on these huge races, because the runners themselves are so committed to complete the task put before them.
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3100 Mile Race over the years
By Nirbhasa Mageeauthor bio »
26 December
About the author:
Nirbhasa is originally from Ireland but currently lives in Reykjavik, Iceland. He is an enthusiastic multi-day runner, having completed four times the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race - the longest race in the world.
Matthias van Baaren from Austria has given us many interesting graphics over the past couple of years, which helped inspire our charts display. He just sent us this interesting comparison of race times over the years, along with a few interesting tidbits; you can see the hi-res pdf version here »
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Day 42 graphs from Austria
By Nirbhasa Mageeauthor bio »
27 July
About the author:
Nirbhasa is originally from Ireland but currently lives in Reykjavik, Iceland. He is an enthusiastic multi-day runner, having completed four times the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race - the longest race in the world.
Our interactive daily graphs on the homepage were inspired by the graphs that Matthias van Baaren from Vienna has been sending us since the beginning of the race (he also sent us the fun Chicken Run graphic from a couple of weeks ago). We havent been able to get around to putting them all up, but here are some graphs from day 42 just to give you an idea. Thank you very much Matthias!
Clicking on the images will open up the associated PDF's in a new tab.
Position changes during race:
Versus the 59.6 mile per day time limit:
Furthest and least mileage covered by runners, by day:
Predicted finish (based on average speed by day 42):
Relative position of runners:
Distance covered (days 36-42):
Daily mileage:
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Impressions of the 3100 Mile Race - A time-lapse video
By Nirbhasa Mageeauthor bio »
1 August
About the author:
Nirbhasa is originally from Ireland but currently lives in Reykjavik, Iceland. He is an enthusiastic multi-day runner, having completed four times the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race - the longest race in the world.
This video was shot by one of our photographers during the 2013 race. The music is by Parichayaka Hammerl; the first track is his own composition and the subsequent tracks are his arrangements of Sri Chinmoy's melodies