Race Director's updates

After just over 43 days of running, Andrea Marcato has won the 2022 edition of Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence Race. His remarkable achievement is his third consecutive win, and another impressive time, averaging over 71 miles since he began on 4 September.

Day 43 impressions

Elsewhere, other runners are making good progress in their aims to finish soon. 2nd and 3rd place Ashprihanal and Lo Wei Ming, both running 69 miles.

Nirbhasa Magee has finished the race on four occasions. But, this year was hit with Covid just before the race began. He ran for several days before being forced to rest and recuperate, but he came back to the course to continue his race. In this video, he explains his journey and the magic of running around the 3100 Mile circuit.

Huang Lan Yang ran 56.5 miles, she is averaging 59.9 miles with eight days to go.

At the start

The five minutes before the race begins, there is a hive of activity at the race.

Further reading

• Media links 2022
• Race Photos at Sri Chinmoy Ultra
• Race videos at Vimeo
• Photos and Videos at Instagram

Day 42 saw the top three runners all passing 70 miles, with Lo Wei Ming impressing with the days top mileage of 71.3 miles. The top two women Huang Lan Yang and Susan Marshal maintained their progress towards completing the race with both completing exactly 59.8 miles.

Lo Wei Ming, here with his wife, managed 71.3 miles.

Andrea Marcato looks set to finish on Monday morning

Kaneenika Janakova is the current women's record holder finishing in 48 days back in 2017. This race has been tough, giving a different experience of self-transcendence. In this interview she talks about how she has readjusted to new goals.

Vasu Duzihy

Further reading

• Media links 2022
• Race Photos at Sri Chinmoy Ultra
• Race videos at Vimeo
• Photos and Videos at Instagram

As we enter the final few weeks of the race, all runners are steadily accumulating miles as they settle into their own daily rhythms. Andrea Marcato led the pack yesterday with another 70+ mile day. As he observed in an interview the end is in sight, but anything can happen in this race and he continues to take the race lap by lap and focus on what he needs to do for each moment.

After losing ground mid-race, Stutisheel Lebedev continues to catch up to the daily average needed to finish. Another 65-mile day yesterday brings him closer to the goal.

Andrea talks about his race so far and how he becomes aware of how the race is more than just his personal effort.

Kaneenika Janakova is the women’s world record holder in the 3100 mile race yet she is having a different kind of race this year having to walk most of it due to some physical problems. But she has already covered over 2100 miles and quite happily keeps going as she plans to go the whole 52 days.

Andrea Marcato reaches 2,900 miles and a short interview with Arpan.

Further reading

• Race Photos at Sri Chinmoy Ultra
• Race videos at Vimeo
• Photos and Videos at Instagram

A day of heavy rain did little to dampen the spirits of the runners. Fortunately, good weather is forecast to return for this weekend and into next week, which will see the day's top runner Andrea Marcato get close to the ultimate finish.

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin had his best day since the first week as he passed 2,000 miles in style.

It is Ananda-Lahari's 18th race and in the interview we can see why he is so keen to keep returning to the race which has given him so many experiences of self-transcendence and personal growth

After about five days of decent dry weather we are now confronted with some pretty heavy rain again. But the runners are still upbeat and the helpers are trying to stay dry and warm.

The runners every day go around the same block. But, there is always a new perspective to see the race. The runners can also always find new things to observe and appreciate, especially as autumn draws in.

Counting in the rain.

Further reading

• Race Photos at Sri Chinmoy Ultra
• Race videos at Vimeo
• Photos and Videos at Instagram

On day 39, Andrea Marcato was the leading runner with 71 miles. He passes 2,800 miles and is just 300 miles from the finish. Susan Marshal, the leading female runner has benefitted from the good weather running her furthest distance 63 miles, since before the tail-end of Hurricane Ian. Vasu Duzhiy passed 4,000km just before the end of the day and all the runners continued their onward journey.

Early morning start

Huang Lan Yang is on 2,347 miles - a daily average of 60.1 miles

Stephen Redfern shares his thoughts on his 3100 Mile Race

Stephen has numerous challenges in this race. His feet go so bad, he had to take a few days out, but his cheerful acceptance of his situation is a key element of the 3100 Mile Race and in this video, he cheerfully explains what he has learnt from doing his first multiday race.

Stephen and Vasu

Vasu Duzihy is on 2490 miles, a daily average of 63.8 miles.

Further reading

• Race Photos at Sri Chinmoy Ultra
• Race videos at Vimeo
• Photos and Videos at Instagram

Day 38 saw all the top 8 runners pass the 59.6 mile mark, with Andrea Marcato the day's top runner with 72 miles.

It was also a special day for those associated with Sri Chinmoy, who entered mahasamadhi 15 years ago on 11 October 2007. Sri Chinmoy's spirit and inner presence can still be felt at this race which he founded back in 1997. The runners continued efforts at self-transcendence is a fitting way to honour Sri Chinmoy's life and own personal example of self-transcendence.

Lo Wei Ming and Vasu Duzihy

Nirbhasa Magee passed 1,000 miles after taking an extended break due to illness. He is slowly getting back into fitness and is happy to be out on the course for the rest of the race.

Kaneenika Janakova will likely pass 2,000 miles today.

Nina shares her thoughts on how her race is going and how she appreciates the family feeling of the race.

Lo Wei Ming continued his good form passing 2,500 miles and breaking his own 4,000km Taiwanese national record.

Asprihanal and Nirbhasa

The race goes into the night.

Further reading

• Race Photos at Sri Chinmoy Ultra
• Race videos at Vimeo
• Photos and Videos at Instagram

Lo Wei Ming had a superb day yesterday, reaching top honours with 74 miles for the day and passing the 2,400 mile mark - leaving "just" 700 miles. As runners start to come into the final stretch, it can be a testing time for the mind because the finish might feel close, but is also literally very far.

Helped by the good weather many of the runners had excellent days with the top three runners - Andrea, Asprihanal and Lo Wei Ming all passing 70 miles. It was also good day for Vasu Duzihy with 68 miles. The top two women Susan Marshall, Huang Lan Yang continue to progress at very similar rates with both getting to the magic 59.8 miles for the day.

Susan Marshall cheerfully shares her thoughts on overcoming the challenges of her first 3100 Mile Race

Stephen Redfern is doing his first official multiday race - though (as he says in the video) he did an unofficial multiday during lockdown around his garage! For a few years, it has been a dream of Stephen to do the 3100 Mile Race and his enthusiasm shows as he explains what he has been learning from the race - both physically and spiritually.

In a video in the slideshow, Vasu and Andrea recite a poem of Sri Chinmoy which is particularly apt for the 3100 Mile Race

Today
Patience from my heart
Will challenge
Tomorrow's impatience-mind
And conquer it.

Sri Chinmoy

Further reading

• Race Photos at Sri Chinmoy Ultra
• Race videos at Vimeo
• Photos and Videos at Instagram

As the race enters into its fifth week, the runners are getting into a good rhythm.

Every day the runners see both the rising sun and setting sun - a new feature of the race in the fall. It puts the runners in connection with the daily routine of Mother Earth - a feature often lost in modern life but for the runners out on the course ever day, they become finely attuned to their environment.

Both Asprihanal Aalto and Andrea Marcato ran consistently all day to pass the magic 70-mile mark. A remarkable achievement when you consider the previous 35 days of consecutive running. Vasu Duzhiy and Lo Wei Ming both maintain a steady pace, building up a good buffer of spare miles to finish well within the time limit. The top two women Susan Marshall and Huang Lan Yang are separated by just 10 miles with both exceeding 60-mile day and, like all the runners, inspiring each other to keep pushing the boundaries of self-transcendence.

Andrea Marcato share his thoughts on the race

Andrea impresses and inspires with his focused attitude to the race. As you can soon observe, every second counts as he seeks to gain the maximum performance from every aspect of his being - mind, body, spirit and the support of his helpers.

Asprihanal's Race so far

The modest Finn, Asprihanal Aalto has finished the race 15 times, has won on nine occasions, and is the current world record holder, finishing the 2015 edition of the 3100 Mile Race in just over 40 days. Within a few weeks, when he finishes for the sixteenth time,  he will have completed nearly 50,000 miles (80,000km) just on the 3100 Mile Race circuit. What drives the runners to come back every year can be hard to articulate, but as Asprihanal says, it is the inner progress the race affords.

Vasu passes the Enthusiasm Singers

Susan Marshall enjoys the encouragement.

The runners' laps are counted by a team of counters who come from all other the world to help with the race.

Lo Wei Ming with the rising sun in the background.

Further reading

• Race Photos at Sri Chinmoy Ultra
• Race videos at Vimeo
• Photos and Videos at Instagram

A sunny day greeted the runners. It was cold in the shade but quite warm on the sunny side of the course. Even on one lap a runner could experience a significant fluctuation in temperature. But, this is a hallmark of the race - numerous ups and downs which the runners seek to take in their stride. Overall, the weather suited many of the runners - with the sun and a new influx of visitors helping to add to the energy of the race.
 

Andrea Marcato was the day's top runner with remarkably his third consecutive day of exactly 72.4 miles,

Ashprihanal Aalto had a good day, making his first 70 mile + day for quite a while.

In this interview Ashprihanal talks about his race so far.

Lo Wei Ming, comfortably in third place, also had an excellent day with 69 miles.

Stephen Redfern took a brief, well-deserved celebration for passing the 3,000km mark. This was particularly resonant for the Australian Stephen because 3,000km is roughly equivalent to running the length of Australia. It is reminders like this which help to put in context the very large distances the runners are covering.

After recovering from a recent cold, Susan Marshall had one of her best days for a while, reaching the all important target of 59.8 miles - just above the daily average to finish.

Stutisheel shares his thoughts on the race, in particular how a runner may start the day feeling very tired and sleep deprived, but the magic of the course and inspiration of Sri Chinmoy help to give an unexpected source of energy.

Kaneenika Janakova edging towards 2,000 miles

Further reading

• Race Photos at Sri Chinmoy Ultra
• Race videos at Vimeo
• Photos and Videos at Instagram

Another sunny day helped to raise spirits and also the mileage of the runners. Andrea Marcato again set the pace with a 72.4 mile day. Andrea will likely pass 4,000km today and at the current pace is approximately 10 days from finishing. Asprihanal bounced back from a difficult few days with an excellent 68 miles. Both Stutisheel Lebedev and Huang Lan Yang passed the 2,000 miles with both managing good daily mileage.

Andrea Marcato

Susan Marshal maintains a narrow lead over Huang Lan Yang in the leading female runners.

The top 7 runners are within striking distance of reaching the ultimate goal. (59.6 mile average required)

Ananda-Lahari has started 18 editions of the 3100 Mile Race. His enthusiasm for the race and living in the moment is legendary.

Stephen Redfern had to adjust his goals after blisters forced a temporary rest. But, he is back out on the course enjoying the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of the race.

Video - Andrea Passes 2400 Miles

Further reading

• Race Photos at Sri Chinmoy Ultra
• Race videos at Vimeo
• Photos and Videos at Instagram

The sun finally came out on the runners after a difficult few weeks of rain. The better weather raised spirits and helped the runners pick up the pace. Susan Marshall who has impressed in her debutant race, cheerfully passed through the 2,000 mile mark and still has a good chance of finishing the race at her first attempt.

More videos by Arpan in the slideshow

Further reading

• Race Photos at Sri Chinmoy Ultra
• Race videos at Vimeo
• Photos and Videos at Instagram

Another day for the runners, and the Heavens once again blessed the race with abundant rain. It didn't slow down Andrea Marcato, who was the day's strongest runner, with a return to his incredible form of 70+ miles. Stutisheel had another good day with 63 miles and hopes to make up for lost time to injury. But, overall, it was another difficult day in the wet and cold, and the runners will be cheered by forecasts of drier, milder weather to come.

Lo Wei Ming's t-shirt says "Never Give Up" - Never has a philosophy been put into practise more, than by the runners of this year's 3100 Mile Race.

"Never give up
Your self-transcendence ideal."

Sri Chinmoy

Takasumi Senoo ran the race in 2021 (see account of his experience here). He was helped by Huan Lan Yang. This year the role's are reversed.

The loneliness of a long-distance runner. Early morning in Queens, New York.

The weather warms up

Further reading

• Race Photos at Sri Chinmoy Ultra
• Race videos at Vimeo
• Photos and Videos at Instagram

Another cold, wet day made outer life difficult for the runners again.  Andrea Marcato was the day's top runner with "only" 65 miles. A rare day for the flying Italian with less than 70 miles, but indicative of the challenging conditions. Asprihanal Aalto, Lo Wei Ming, Vasu Duzihy, Stutisheel Lebedev, Huang Lan Yang and Stephen Redfearn all passed the magic 59.6 mile daily average. Susan Marshall who has made an impressive debut to this race, is leading the women with 1,903 miles just ahead of second place Huang Lan Yang.

Despite the rain, the runners continue to progress steadily increasing their daily mileage. Andrea extends his lead at the top. Lo Wei Ming is maintaining his excellent consistency after setting a new personal best (and Taiwanese national record) for 3,000km just recently. After the recent relentless downpours, there are very welcome forecasts of dry, milder air on the horizon.

 

The inner happiness is the key to this race.

"Smile, smile, smile
At your mind
As often as possible.
Your smiling will considerably reduce
Your mind’s tearing tension."

Sri Chinmoy

Further reading

• Race Photos at Sri Chinmoy Ultra
• Race videos at Vimeo
• Photos and Videos at Instagram

In previous editions of the 3100 Mile race, the runners have had to contend with the stultifying heat of a New York mid summers, with temperatures rising upwards towards 100 degrees. Moving the race to the fall has this year, brought a different kind of challenge from Mother Nature, with one of the wettest races in living memory.

From a practical point of view running through the incessant rain brings many practical challenges for the runners who are fighting wet feet and clothes. But, this race is all about transcending whatever a runner faces, so our eleven runners keep going, smiling through the rain and clocking up as many miles as they can.

“He is happy
Because every day he tries
And actually does
A little more than he thinks he can.”

– Sri Chinmoy

The weather forecast suggests one more day of heavy rain, but then hopefully dry conditions will return.

Andrea is continuing his good run of form, Asprihanal has been picking up the pace after a difficult few days and Nirbhasa has been back out on the course.

Stephen Redfern has new helpers, with his parents flying over from Australia to help the remainder of his race. As Stephen says "it will be a massive new experience for them."

Further reading

Race Photos at Sri Chinmoy Ultra

Race videos at Vimeo

Photos and Videos at Instagram

Yesterday was another cold and blustery day, Lo Wei Ming passed 3,000km in a new personal best - 20 hours faster than the previous year.

Race director Rupantar shares a few thoughts on the 3100 Mile Race so Far

As we enter into the ‘home stretch of the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100-Mile Race, the end is very clear for some of the runners, while others just focus on their day by day effort.  Dealing with every conceivable injury, virus, and rash, these heroes of the road are living examples of Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy of self-transcendence.

Andrea is off like a rocket every morning and alternates between walking and running, despite Arpan’s urging that he run more. Susan uses her speed to go home early while reaching her daily mileage goal, a luxury few of the runners enjoy. Ashprihanal has been hampered the past few days with a hip injury and has yet to regain his championship form.

Vasu, aided by his young handler Sasha, remains focused and has been able to overcome a few small injuries and stay on course to finish. Steven has miraculously recovered from severe blisters and other injuries and still has hopes of finishing the race. Stutisheel, after a brilliant start, had to overcome a muscle injury and is back on course again.

Nina with her handler/husband Takasumi (who finished the race in 2021), has settled in with just over 59 miles a day, just enough to finish the race within the 52-day time limit. Kaneeneka and Ananda-Lahari remain positive despite several setbacks. And Nirbhasa is back on the course after a long struggle with regaining his strength.

If there has been one constant in the 26 years of this race, it’s that this race is extremely, unbelievably difficult. Every day, in every step, the race challenges the runners physically, mentally, spiritually and psychically, in every conceivable way. And you can add financially.  I have had the privilege of starting the race each year and it still amazes me how the runners drag themselves to the start and once the clock strikes 6, off they go, regardless of how they feel. So, please stay tuned wherever you are enjoying the race. Still a few weeks to go. Also, if you would like to help sponsor any food for the runners, then it is very welcome.

Rupantar

Race Photos at Sri Chinmoy Ultra

Race videos at Vimeo

Photos and Videos at Instagram

The runners have to contend with many challenges in running the 3100 Mile race. This year's race has been one of the wettest for many years and yesterday morning, the runners and mini village experienced a strong downpour as the after effects of Hurricane Ian filtered into the New York area. Fortunately, the rain eased in the afternoon, but the lingering wet made it a difficult day for the runners.

The rain didn't slow down Andrea Marcato who is relentless in his efforts to try and complete over 70 miles per day.

You can see in the video that Andrea stops only briefly for a photo by 2,000 miles and is eager to get back running as quickly as possible. In the 3100 Mile Race there is no opportunity to rest on your laurels, each day, the runner needs to climb a new peak of self-transcendence. It is a race lasting 52 days, yet every moment counts.

Ashprihanal Aalto has finished the 3100 Mile race fifteen times, an unprecedented achievement. The past few days have been challenging for Asprihanal but he has the confidence of his long experience in multi-days to keep going and wait for the body to heal.

Later in the day, the rain did start to ease. Arpan's video captures the mood at the race, with counters sheltering in a van to protect the counting sheets from the rain.

Kaneenika is getting close to halfway point.

"Remain cheerful,For nothing destructive can pierce throughThe adamantine wall of cheerfulness."

Sri Chinmoy

In difficult conditions like today, a runner's cheerfulness and inner resources are the best antidote.

Nina (Huang Lan) is smiling on her way to 59.2 miles - more or less on target for average daily mileage.

Stephen Redfearn is making an excellent comeback, managing 57 miles yesterday. Stutisheel also made 60 miles after a recent setback. Susan Marshall is doing very well, with yet another 60+ mile day. Vasu and Lo Wei Ming are also managing a similarly strong consistent mileage. Nirbhasa Magee also made his first return to the course to test his energy levels. No matter what the difficulties or set backs, there is an invisible pull for the runners to come back to the course.

Related

• Day 28

Full Race report for Day 29

Race Photos by Alakananda

Race videos at Vimeo

Photos and Videos at Instagram

Andrea Marcato continues to extend his lead, hitting the 70 mile+ mark for another consecutive day and being the first runner past 3,000km. Lo Wei Ming, Vasu Duzihy and Susan Marshall are all maintaining their consistency and Stutisheel Lebedev made a promising rebound to pass the half-way mark of the race. Huang Lan Yang also made it past the half way mark has is currently on course to finish the race at her first attempt. It was also great to welcome Stephen Redfern back to the course, who managed 40 miles on his recovering feet.

The previous day Gary Corbitt, the son of legendary ultra runner, Ted Corbitt came to the race to speak with the runners and share his enthusiasm and encouragement with the runners. Over the years, Ted Corbitt was a great friend of Sri Chinmoy and the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team. In a video with Arpan and Gary, Andrea explains his technique of running and fast walking which enable him to both accumulate miles but also relax some of the running muscles. The technique he has used for the past three years is obviously working well for him as he has extended his lead at the top of the race passing 1,800 miles. Kaneenika explains to Gary how Ted Corbitt inspired her during a difficult moment.

Race Photos by Alakananda

Race videos at Vimeo

Photos and Videos at Instagram

The top seven runners have now passed 1,500 miles as the race enters into the mid-way point of its 52-day journey.

Gary Corbitt, the son of legendary ultra runner, Ted Corbitt came to the race to speak with the runners and share his enthusiasm and encouragement with the runners. Over the years, Ted Corbitt was a great friend of Sri Chinmoy and the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team. In a video with Arpan and Gary, Andrea explains his technique of running and fast walking which enable him to both accumulate miles but also relax some of the running muscles. The technique he has used for the past three years is obviously working well for him as he has extended his lead at the top of the race passing 1,800 miles.

Race Photos by Alakananda

Race videos at Vimeo

Photos and Videos at Instagram

Andrea Marcato has been super-consistent in the past few days, running all hours and through all conditions. He has slightly extended his lead at the front of the race, but each runner keeps going with their own inner race, always striving for their own goals of self-transcendence. Stephen Redfern, who took time out because of severe blisters on his feet hopes to be back on the course on Friday.

As of day 23, the top 7 runners are averaging above the magic 59.6 miles daily average.

Photos by Alakananda

SCMT videos at Vimeo

SCMT at Instagram

It has been a challenging few days, as the runners contend 'historic rain' in the words of Race Director Rupantar. Andrea Marcato still maintains an impressive pace with consecutive 70+ miles day. - Stephen Redfearn has been going well in his first attempt at the race, but had to attend a foot specialist due to severe blisters on his feet. Three runners Andrea, Ashprihanal and Lo Wei Ming have now passed the 1,500 miles.

As of day 23, the top 7 runners are still averaging above the magic 59.6 miles daily average, but as the race edges closer to halfway, the runners know they still have a herculean task to keep going and accumulating as many laps as they can.

Photos by Alakananda

SCMT videos at Vimeo

SCMT at Instagram