Category: News

News #121: Opening Race of the Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series

Posted on by Yatkara

Runners on the Lovelock Track during Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series Race 1 at War Memorial Park

On Sunday, 11 January 2026, runners and walkers enjoyed a warm to hot, blue-sky mid-summer’s day for the first race of the Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series. The event took place at the peaceful, newly-refurbished Lovelock Track in War Memorial Park, Mt Roskill. This popular Auckland venue offered excellent conditions for athletes of all ages and abilities.

The Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series is a much-loved annual calendar of family-friendly races that combine physical challenge with inner joy and self-transcendence. Race 1 featured four distances: the Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon (21.1 km), 10 km, 5.6 km, and the fun Kids 2.5 km race. 

Half-Marathon Results

Neil Cheetham claimed a comfortable victory in the men’s Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon with a strong time of 1:48:51. James Carson followed in second place (2:06:31), and Michael Guffler finished third (2:13:24).

In the women’s category, Gayleen Carson took first place with an impressive 2:04:19. Millie Manning secured second with 2:19:36. These athletes demonstrated excellent endurance and determination on the scenic course.

10 km Race Highlights

Mark Andrew delivered a fine performance to win the men’s 10 km race in 42:15. Finn Campbell finished closely behind in 42:35, while the evergreen 61-year-old Rexhep Ajvazaj showed remarkable consistency with 42:59 for third place.

Melanie James dominated the women’s 10 km event, winning in 47:38. Anne-Marie Mujica placed second (54:31), and Rachel Rawles completed the podium in 58:51.

5.6 km and Kids 2.5 km Races

The shorter 5.6 km race brought family spirit to the forefront. Christopher Rawles won in 26:26, followed by his father Stephan Rawles (28:24) and Mauro Refosco (28:59). Emmy Hurcum took the women’s title in 29:09, with Loren Peart second (31:53) and Sarah Lockyer third (36:48).

In the joyful Sri Chinmoy Kids 2.5 km race, young Harvey Watson crossed the line first in 13:59. Riley Cunningham finished second with 16:15. The children’s race always adds special energy and smiles to the morning.

A Perfect Venue and Community Atmosphere

The newly-refurbished Lovelock Track provided an ideal setting for the Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series opening race. Located in the peaceful War Memorial Park, Mt Roskill, the all-weather synthetic track and surrounding green spaces created a calm yet energising environment. Runners appreciated the flat, well-maintained course under clear blue skies.

The series welcomes runners, walkers, families, and beginners alike. It promotes self-transcendence — the joyful effort to go beyond one’s previous limits without competing against others.

The warm summer weather enhanced the positive mood. Families gathered, friends cheered, and athletes of all ages enjoyed a sense of community and shared achievement. Events like this show how sport can bring people together in a spirit of goodwill and encouragement.

Results and Photos

Looking Ahead in the Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series

Race 1 marked an excellent start to the 2026 series. The Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series continues with multiple events throughout the year, offering regular opportunities for runners and walkers to stay active and inspired. More races are planned at War Memorial Park and Auckland Domain.

These events form part of the wider global Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team calendar, which organises hundreds of races worldwide each year. From short fun runs to ultra-distance challenges, the focus remains the same: personal growth, inner peace, and the joy of participation.

Why These Races Inspire Participants

Sri Chinmoy believed that physical activity and spiritual aspiration support each other. Regular running or walking helps develop qualities such as perseverance, focus, and gratitude. The Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series creates a welcoming space where beginners feel comfortable and experienced athletes can test their limits in a friendly atmosphere.

Parents appreciate the kids’ races that encourage healthy activity from a young age. Many families return race after race because of the positive, non-competitive spirit. 

The combination of perfect weather, excellent organisation, and enthusiastic participants made it a memorable morning for everyone involved.

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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 #120: 6-Hour Sri Chinmoy Swim Challenge in Hungary

Posted on by Yatkara

Swimmers during the 6-Hour Sri Chinmoy Swim Challenge in Gödöllő, Hungary

On Sunday, 8 March 2026, the 6-Hour Sri Chinmoy Swim Challenge took place successfully in Gödöllő, Hungary. This endurance event drew strong interest from the local and international swimming community. Registration opened in November, and all available spots filled within just two weeks.

Event Details and Organisation

The 6-Hour Sri Chinmoy Swim Challenge took place in a 50-metre pool. It featured 19 individual swimmers and 9 teams. Team members ranged from 2 to 6 people and rotated every 30 minutes. Organisers grouped 5 swimmers of similar speed in each lane. This setup created a fair and motivating environment for everyone.

Volunteers tracked distances accurately with tablets. Swimmers encouraged one another while they pushed to cover greater distances.

A dedicated team of 25 members from the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team handled all logistics. They managed timing, lane assignments, safety, and general organisation professionally. In addition, they prepared a delicious and nourishing buffet. This helped competitors maintain high energy levels throughout the demanding endurance challenge.

The Spirit Behind the 6-Hour Sri Chinmoy Swim Challenge

Sri Chinmoy encouraged people to combine physical discipline with inner aspiration. For decades, the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team has organised ultra-distance running races, multi-day events, and long-distance swimming challenges worldwide. These events embody Sri Chinmoy’s core message of self-transcendence.

Self-transcendence gives us joy in boundless measure. When we transcend ourselves, we do not compete with others. We do not compete with the rest of the world, but at every moment we compete with ourselves. We compete only with our previous achievements. And each time we surpass our previous achievements, we get joy.

— Sri Chinmoy, Lifting Up the World With a Oneness-Heart, Agni Press, New York, 1988

The 6-Hour Sri Chinmoy Swim Challenge in Gödöllő continues this inspiring tradition. It gives swimmers a structured format to test their endurance. At the same time, participants stay connected to the deeper purpose: inner progress and the joy of self-improvement.

Highlights of the Day

The atmosphere combined focused effort with a warm sense of community. Swimmers pushed their personal boundaries. They also encouraged one another throughout the day. This created an uplifting environment that captured the essence of Sri Chinmoy’s teachings.

Endurance events like this remind us of an important truth. True success in sport goes beyond distance covered. It also includes the inner qualities developed along the way — patience, perseverance, concentration, and the ability to stay cheerful even when the body grows tired.

Photos from the 6-Hour Sri Chinmoy Swim Challenge

View the official photos here:

Why These Events Matter

Sri Chinmoy taught that a balanced life includes regular physical activity together with meditation and inner focus. He often explained that the body and the soul support each other beautifully. Swimming, with its rhythmic breathing and full-body movement, offers an excellent way to practise presence and inner calmness while challenging physical limits.

Events such as the 6-Hour Sri Chinmoy Swim Challenge create accessible opportunities for athletes of different levels. Whether swimming solo for the full six hours or participating as part of a team, each person contributes to a collective atmosphere of aspiration and goodwill.

The quick sell-out of registration spots shows growing interest in meaningful endurance activities. In a world that often focuses on winning at all costs, Sri Chinmoy-inspired events offer a gentle reminder that the real victory lies in transcending our own previous achievements with a joyful and grateful heart.

This successful 6-Hour Sri Chinmoy Swim Challenge in Hungary adds another inspiring chapter. It shows how Sri Chinmoy’s vision of self-transcendence continues to motivate people across continents many years later.

Explore More

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 #119: Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile Celebrates 40 Years in London

Posted on by Yatkara

On 15 March 1986, Sri Chinmoy personally inaugurated the world’s first Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile

Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile Celebrates 40 Years

On Sunday, 15 March, several students from the London Sri Chinmoy Centre gathered in Battersea Park to meditate and walk the Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile, marking its 40th anniversary.

Exactly 40 years earlier, on 15 March 1986, Sri Chinmoy personally inaugurated the world’s first Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile in the same park and walked its path that day. 

The weather on this anniversary was glorious — bright and uplifting. The group followed in Sri Chinmoy’s footsteps, walking the measured one-mile loop with a sense of gratitude and quiet joy.

From Quiet Beginnings to a Vibrant Running Spot

In 1986, recreational running was still in its infancy among the general public. Today, Battersea Park was teeming with runners of all levels. It was wonderful to see how the park has become a popular place for fitness and outdoor activity.

Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile Celebrates 40 Years in London

This transformation is due in no small part to Sri Chinmoy’s inspiration. He encouraged people to combine physical exercise with inner peace and aspiration. The Battersea Park Peace Mile continues to serve as a dedicated space where runners and walkers can enjoy a measured mile while connecting with the ideal of peace.

The path runs through beautiful surroundings near the River Thames and close to the Buddhist Peace Pagoda, creating a serene and inspiring atmosphere.

The Inspirational Message

Run and become.
Become and run.
Run to succeed in the outer world.
Become to proceed in the inner world.

– Sri Chinmoy, Run and become, become and run, part 2, Agni Press, New York, 1979

This powerful message beautifully captures the spirit of the Peace Mile — balancing outer achievement with inner growth.

Lasting Legacy of the Peace Mile

The Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile was created as a blessingful gift and a place where people could run or walk while remembering the ideals of peace. Forty years later, thousands of Londoners have used this loop for exercise and reflection.

This anniversary walk reminded everyone of Sri Chinmoy’s vision: offering simple, accessible spaces that support both physical fitness and inner aspiration.

The celebration was simple yet meaningful — a quiet but powerful way to honour four decades of inspiration in the heart of London.

Related Links:

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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 #118: Vienna Celebrates Sri Chinmoy’s First Chico Marathon

Posted on by Yatkara

Participants meditate before the special run honoring Sri Chinmoy’s first Chico Marathon

On 8 March, a wonderful atmosphere filled the air as 32 enthusiastic runners and walkers gathered in Vienna, Austria, to celebrate the 47th anniversary of Sri Chinmoy’s Chico Marathon. The event took place on the scenic Sri Chinmoy Peace-Kilometer course, bringing together a dedicated community in a spirit of joy, fitness, and inspiration.

The morning offered perfect conditions for participants of all levels. Four participants completed the full marathon distance, while thirteen runners tackled the half-marathon and fifteen finished the 10 km race. Everyone who took part contributed to a beautiful collective celebration of endurance, inner strength, and the enduring legacy of Sri Chinmoy’s pioneering marathon run in Chico, California, back in 1979.

Marathon Finishers (42.195 km)

  • Tobias — 3:35:00
  • Shamita — 4:05:01
  • Mirjam — 5:19:13
  • Dohai — 5:49:49

Heartiest congratulations to these four determined finishers who showed remarkable perseverance over the full distance!

Half-Marathon Finishers (21.097 km)

Ekagra, Sushloka, Rupasena, Nico, Martin, Joachim, Reza, Deveshu, Tünde, Surasa, Nabhanya, Nidhruvi, Vishvarupani

A big round of applause to all thirteen half-marathon runners for their strong and consistent effort!

10 km Finishers

Ralf, Soham, Horst, Kapritha, Smarana, Niklas, Christian, Pratul, Urdhagati, Dagmar, Ana, Jalabala, Elisabeth, Rakshini, Julia

Fifteen dedicated participants completed the 10 km distance, adding energy and smiles to the celebration. Well done to every runner and walker who joined!

The Sri Chinmoy Peace-Kilometer in Vienna proved to be an ideal setting for this special anniversary event. This beautifully measured one-kilometer loop created a peaceful and motivating environment for all distances.

Events like this highlight the joy of combining physical challenge with inner aspiration. Whether running a full marathon, half-marathon, or 10 km, every step on the Peace-Kilometer carried the message of self-transcendence and peace — values that Sri Chinmoy emphasised throughout his life.

Related News & Events:

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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 #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

Explore More

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