Category: 3100-Mile Race

News #117: The Surprising Story of Kouros & Sri Chinmoy

Posted on by Yatkara

Yiannis Kouros and Sri Chinmoy

The world of ultrarunning is often a mirror for our inner journey. Recently, the prominent Russian magazine Marathoner (reaching 40,000 subscribers) published a major feature on the legendary Greek runner Yiannis Kouros. The article beautifully highlights the historic bond between Yiannis Kouros and Sri Chinmoy’s vision of Self-Transcendence, showing how the outer world of sports can perfectly reflect the inner world of the spirit.

A Life of Self-Transcendence: Who is Yiannis Kouros?

Yiannis Kouros is widely regarded as the most prolific ultradistance runner in history. With over 150 world records, his achievements are a testament to what a human being can do when they move beyond the limitations of the physical mind. He competed in distances ranging from 100 km to a staggering 1,000 miles (1,609 km).

For Kouros, running was never just about the body. He was famous for entering a deep, meditative state that allowed him to continue long after his physical strength should have been exhausted. He proved that when we reach deep within ourselves, we find a reservoir of energy that the mind cannot explain.

Finding Harmony: Yiannis Kouros and Sri Chinmoy’s Philosophy

The Marathoner feature explores why Kouros was drawn to the races organized by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team (SCMT). The connection between Yiannis Kouros and Sri Chinmoy’s races was built on a shared understanding that running is a form of spiritual practice.

Sri Chinmoy, who ran many marathons and ultramarathons himself, saw the track as a place to manifest the soul’s potential.

This philosophy became the foundation for hundreds of races worldwide, including the iconic 3100-Mile Race. For Kouros, these events weren’t just competitions; they were opportunities to manifest the power of the inner will.

The 24-Hour World Record in New York

In 1984, Kouros returned to New York to participate in the Sri Chinmoy 24-Hour Race. It remains one of the most historic performances in the history of the sport:

  • World Record: 284 km in 24 hours.
  • Inner Focus: During the race, he also broke the records for 100 miles and 200 km.
  • The Witness: Observers described his running as “breathtaking,” noting how he moved with incredible speed while appearing completely absorbed in a state of inner peace.

The “Hurricane Race”: Inner Strength Against the Storm

One of the most remarkable stories in the history of Yiannis Kouros and Sri Chinmoy’s races took place during Hurricane Gloria. While most of New York was shut down due to 40 mph winds and torrential rain, the SCMT 24-hour race continued.

Sri Chinmoy himself was there to give the start. Despite the extreme weather, Kouros ran 286.463 km, setting yet another world record. It was a vivid demonstration that the peace and determination we find within can overcome any outer obstacle.

Legendary Achievements and the Spartathlon

Kouros first gained international attention at the Spartathlon (246 km from Athens to Sparta).

  • 1983 Breakthrough: He finished in 21h 53m, a time so fast that many found it hard to believe.
  • The Record: He eventually improved his time to 20h 25m, a record that stood for 39 years.

His multi-day feats are equally extraordinary:

  • 6-Day Race (New York): 1,022 km world record.
  • Sydney to Melbourne (~960 km): He won by a full day’s margin.
  • 1,000-Mile Race (New York): 10 days, 10 hours, and 30 minutes.

A Mind-Over-Matter Approach

Kouros’s training was very different from most modern athletes. He often ran only about 12 km a day, believing that the real secret to endurance was mental and spiritual strength rather than high mileage. He famously believed that after 100 km, everyone suffers the same; the difference lies in the ability to control the mind and let the inner spirit guide the feet.

A Lasting Legacy

It is deeply inspiring to see mainstream media like Marathoner recognize the connection between Yiannis Kouros and Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy. It reminds us all that we are not just physical beings, but spiritual seekers on a journey of constant self-transcendence.

Link to original article (Russian): Marathoner Magazine Feature

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For more information about sports events, visit the official website: www.srichinmoyraces.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

News #108: Sri Chinmoy Centre Russia 2025 – Epic Media Breakthrough

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Nearly 100 Media Features on Harmony Run, Ultrarunning, Sri Chinmoy Teachings, and More

In 2025, Sri Chinmoy Centres in Russia received extensive media attention for Sri Chinmoy’s Path initiatives, with nearly one hundred articles, videos, and audio reports across Russian outlets. The Harmony Run dominated coverage, spanning over 7,000 kilometers through Russia. In small towns and villages, it became a major community event, earning eager local press. Many reports are archived on the official site: www.harmonyrun.ru.

Harmony Run 2025 – 7,000+ km Inspiring Communities Across Russia

The run launched in Smolensk with greetings from Governor Vasily Anokhin, covered widely in regional media. Olympic champion Nadezhda Talanova ran ~20 km with the torch alongside elite athletes like Elena Sidorenkova (world 24-hour record holder), Anna Korolko (winter swimming champion), and Vasily Larkin (100 km champion). The torch passed to Belarusian runners at the border after visits to towns like Pochinok, Yelnya, Roslavl, Desnogorsk, Shumyachi, and Khislavichi. Veteran Svetlana Khisamutdinova (81) ran daily segments, embodying Sri Chinmoy’s inspiring words:

Age is in the mind and not in the heart …

– Sri chinmoy. The Body’s Fitness-Gong. The Soul’s Fulness-Song

On the Zyuratkul Ridge, the run joined an eco-festival “Earth – Our Home of Unity” at Zyuratkul Nature Reserve. Participants climbed to the 1,175 m summit amid a week-long vegetarian experiment for all. Yuri Moskalyov and Nikolai Duzhy led efforts.

In Transbaikalia (Chita), Minister of Sports Andrey Seryodkin met participants on August 6, praising their promotion of health and unity. The torch arrived on August 5 from diverse cities, with the youngest runner aged 12.

In Bikino (Primorsky Krai), the relay included a route from “Bikin” stele to Glory Memorial, flower-laying ceremony, rest at Lokomotiv Stadium, and continuation to Orenburgskoye village with bread-salt welcome, concert, and run. It proceeded to Luchegorsk, Ussuriysk, and Vladivostok.

A 2025 Harmony Run photo slideshow captures the journey’s spirit.

Ultra running Spotlight – First Russian 6-Day Run

The inaugural Russian 6-day “Self-Transcendence” run (August 8–14, 2025, Voronovo, New Moscow) drew 28 participants from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus. Men’s winner Sergei Verbitsky (Tula) covered 708 km; women’s Larisa Psuykalova (Chelyabinsk, 60+) ran 510 km. Interviews revealed strategies like minimal sleep, on-the-move eating, and a positive mindset.

Haborovsk’s Andrey Komyagin earned silver (630 km).

Stories of Sri Chinmoy and Followers – Personal Triumphs and Philosophy

Music, Film, and Anniversaries – Cultural Echoes of the Sri Chinmoy’s Path

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For more information about events, visit the official website: www.srichinmoycentre.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

News #90: Discover Sri Chinmoy and the Legendary 3,100-Mile Race

Posted on by Yatkara

A recent feature article in Marathon Runner magazine, Russia’s leading publication for running enthusiasts with a readership of 40,000, delves into the life and philosophy of Sri Chinmoy, the founder of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team (SCMT), and the inspiration behind the world’s longest certified footrace – the Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race.

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English Translation:

Sri Chinmoy: The Story and Philosophy of the Founder of the 3,100-Mile Race

By Irina Kebo – 10/31/2025

The name of Sri Chinmoy, the 20th-century philosopher and humanist, has appeared often in Marathoner magazine. Many of his students call him “Teacher” and proudly belong to the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team.

Nikolai Duzhiy runs the astonishing Self-Transcendence Race in New York every year – a nearly 5,000 km (3,100 miles) race over 51 days. He has won it three times (2013, 2017, 2018) and is a consistent finisher.

Svetlana Khisamutdinova ran her first marathon at age 50. Now over 80, she amazes thousands with her energy and ability to run not just tens, but hundreds of kilometers. Her track record includes countless marathons, ultramarathons, and multi-day races.

These athletes are students of Sri Chinmoy, but who was their mentor? Let’s get to know him and his philosophy – not just about running, but about life itself.

Who is Sri Chinmoy?

Born on August 27, 1931, in East Bengal (now Bangladesh), he was the youngest of seven children and named Chinmoy Kumar Ghose. “Sri” is an honorific, showing respect to a spiritual teacher.

Chinmoy lost his parents as a teenager. From an early age, he showed talent in sports and creativity, which later flourished in many areas:

• Music: He composed over 23,000 songs in languages including Sanskrit, Bengali, English, and French. Some are short mantras; others honor countries, landmarks, and individuals who contributed to humanity. He mastered dozens of instruments, including piano, organ, flute, cello, and the Indian bowed esraj, and gave hundreds of free concerts worldwide –sometimes playing 15 to 20 instruments in a single performance. His largest audience was over 19,000 in Montreal, 2000.

• Painting: Chinmoy created millions of drawings and paintings, often abstract, vibrant, and harmonious. He called his style Jharna Kala (“Fountain of Art”). Birds often appear in his work, symbolizing peace, freedom, and the soul’s aspirations. His artwork has been exhibited globally, from JFK Airport to the UN Secretariat and the Museum of Contemporary History in Russia.

• Literature: A prolific writer, Chinmoy wrote poems, essays, short stories, plays, and commentaries on Plato, Mozart, and Dostoevsky. Over 1,600 works have been published. His main themes include self-knowledge, harmony, and human values. He lectured at universities worldwide, including Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, Harvard, and Moscow State University. He received awards such as the UN Society of Writers’ Award for Excellence and the Gandhi Peace Prize.

Despite his artistic and literary achievements, Chinmoy is best remembered as a humanist, philosopher, and advocate for peace and unity, admired by figures like Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, and Princess Diana. He passed away in October 2007, leaving behind a rich legacy in art, music, literature, and human inspiration.

Sri Chinmoy’s Philosophy

Sri Chinmoy taught that everyone has the right to life, freedom, happiness, and the development of spiritual and physical potential. His works express love for the world and for each individual.

Don’t try to change the world. You will fail. Try to love the world. And look! The world has changed forever.
– Sri Chinmoy

He encouraged overcoming the ego, cultivating compassion, and seeking harmony within oneself. True happiness comes from love and inner balance, which exists in everyone, though not all find it.

Athletic Achievements

Chinmoy led an active life: he was a competitive athlete, weightlifter, tennis enthusiast, and long-distance runner. He completed 22 marathons and 5 ultramarathons. He also organized the Harmony Run, a global torch relay symbolizing unity and peace. Since 1987, participants have covered over 650,000 km across 155 countries. The torch has even reached space, the North Pole, and Mount Elbrus.

The Self-Transcendence Race

Known as the “Everest of ultramarathons,” this race is 3,100 miles (4,988 km) long. Participants run an 883-meter loop in Queens, New York, daily from 6 a.m. to midnight, with 51 days to finish. Daily distances range from 70 to 100 km, supported with food, massages, and medical care.

The race tests mental resilience as much as physical stamina. In 2025, Andrea Marcato of Italy won in 46 days, 16 hours, 19 minutes, and 8 seconds, while Nikolai Duzhiy, at age 59, finished second in 48 days, 4 hours, 57 minutes, 52 seconds – his 13th participation. Only a few runners have ever finished; the race embodies the human spirit’s limitless potential.

Just as a bird needs two wings to fly, a person needs harmony between body and spirit.
– Sri Chinmoy

Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team

Although Sri Chinmoy is no longer alive, the team he founded in 1977 continues organizing ultra-distance races worldwide. Team members pursue ambitious goals in running, swimming, mountaineering, and other challenges, striving for progress in both the outer and inner worlds.

Run to achieve success in the outer world. Reach to make progress in the inner world.
– Sri Chinmoy

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For those interested in exploring the profound connection between running and spiritual growth, the full article offers an in-depth perspective. While currently available in Russian, its insights transcend language barriers, resonating with readers worldwide.

Learn More and Explore Resources

To find out more, visit the official website: www.3100.srichinmoyraces.org. 
For more information about races, visit the official website: www.srichinmoyraces.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

News #89: Anne Kadet’s 3100 Mile Race Article “Running in Circles for 3100 Miles!”

Posted on by Yatkara

Participants starting the 3100 Mile Race around Thomas A. Edison High School, Queens

Journalist Anne Kadet recently travelled to Queens, New York, to cover the remarkable Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race. She shared her reflections in an insightful Substack article titled “Running in Circles for 3100 Miles!”

🔗 Read the full story

In her account, Kadet captures the quiet yet powerful atmosphere of this unique event. Only ten runners take part. There are no road closures, no crowds—just a few volunteers and local supporters cheering on the edges of a high-school block. Yet, despite its simplicity, the race radiates a deep spiritual energy.

Voices from the track:

  • Alex Ramsey (USA) finds “joy and newness in each lap,” even after circling the same route thousands of times.
  • Arpan D’Angelo, a volunteer, compares the loop to the rhythm of the cosmos: “That route is like the motion of the moon and of atoms. That’s how the universe works.”
  • Rupantar La Russo, the race director, explains: “The mind says, ‘3100 miles? You’re kidding me?’ But when you go beyond the mind and into the heart, nothing is impossible.”
  • Harita Davies, the only New Yorker in the race, adds: “You have to live it one day at a time. The world badly needs inspiration.”

As Kadet observes, the run becomes meditation in motion. Repetition turns into spiritual discipline, and endurance becomes an inner practice. A simple block in Queens transforms into a pathway of insight and self-discovery.

Although Kadet admits she could never run 3100 miles herself, the runners’ determination inspires her belief that “I, too, can accomplish whatever I truly feel inspired to do – even if my mind says it’s impossible.”

Discovering Inner Strength through Outer Pathways

This story is far more than a race report. It reveals how ordinary streets can become sacred ground and how perseverance opens the heart to transformation. Whether you run, meditate, or simply seek inspiration, the 3100 Mile Race shows that what seems impossible may, in truth, mark the beginning of a deeper journey.

More Information & Resources

For more information about races, visit the official website: www.srichinmoyraces.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

News #81: New York Post – 3100 Mile Race 2025

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Alex Ramsey crossing the finish line at the 3100 Mile Race 2025

The 3100 Mile Race 2025 recently received coverage in the New York Post following its completion in Queens, New York. Founded in 1801, the New York Post ranks as the third-largest newspaper in the United States by print circulation. Its article highlighted one of the world’s most challenging and unique endurance events. The race, which requires runners to circle a single city block in Queens for 52 days, demonstrates remarkable physical stamina and spiritual perseverance.

You can read the full article here:
World’s longest 3,100-mile marathon is a hellish 50-day loop around a tiny NYC block: ‘eternity’s road’

Highlights from the Race 2025

Additionally, a video featuring highlights from the 3100 Mile Race 2025 offers a vivid glimpse into the runners’ remarkable journey.

You can watch the highlights here: 
Video #323: Highlights of the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race 2025

Global Spotlight on Self-Transcendence

The 3100 Mile Race 2025 attracted elite runners from across the globe, each striving to complete an average of 60 miles per day. Importantly, the New York Post article emphasized not only the physical challenge but also the spiritual dimension of the race. It showcased the participants’ extraordinary mental strength, unwavering discipline, and deep devotion. Furthermore, the story highlighted Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy of self-transcendence—the practice of surpassing personal limitations. Consequently, the race serves as an example of how individuals can achieve incredible feats through focus, endurance, and inner commitment.

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin running past the score board during the 3100 Mile Race 2025

2025 Race Results: Ten Runners Complete the Challenge

In 2025, ten dedicated athletes participated, with eight completing the full 3,100 miles. Notably, five of them achieved this feat for the first time, illustrating both perseverance and determination.

Top Finishers:

  • Andrea Marcato (Italy) – 46 days, 16 hours, 19 minutes, 10 seconds
  • Vasu Duzhiy (Russia) – 48 days, 4 hours, 57 minutes, 52 seconds
  • Mahasatya Janzik (USA) – 48 days, 14 hours, 37 minutes, 45 seconds
  • Alex Ramsey (USA) – 50 days, 9 hours, 53 minutes, 11 seconds
  • Adrian Papuc (Romania) – 50 days, 12 hours, 23 minutes, 23 seconds
  • Milan Javornicky (Czech Republic) – 50 days, 15 hours, 53 minutes, 55 seconds
  • Daniela Bojila (Italy/Romania) – 51 days, 8 hours, 17 minutes, 28 seconds
  • Lucong Geng (China) – 51 days, 16 hours, 26 minutes, 57 seconds
  • Ananda-Lahari Zuscin (USA) – 2,829.2 miles
  • Harita Davies (New Zealand) – 2,790.8 miles

Lucong Geng completing the 3100 Mile Race 2025

A Legacy of Inspiration

Over nearly three decades, the 3100 Mile Race has represented the highest ideal of endurance running. Through perseverance and spiritual aspiration, it continues to inspire thousands across the globe. In addition, the recognition by the New York Post reinforces the race’s universal message: every step taken with sincerity can become a journey toward inner peace and oneness. Consequently, the race stands as both a test of physical limits and a celebration of the human spirit.

Explore More

For more information about upcoming events, visit srichinmoyraces.org
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy’s life and philosophy, visit srichinmoy.org