Category: News

News #87: Sri Chinmoy Ultras NZ – 50/100 km Races

Posted on by Yatkara

Runners at the start of the Sri Chinmoy Ultras NZ 2025

Sri Chinmoy Ultras NZ – A Celebration of Endurance and Spirit

The Sri Chinmoy Ultras NZ returned on November 2, 2025, to Hagley Park North in Christchurch, New Zealand. This inspiring event once again united competitive spirit with the deeper philosophy of self-transcendence. It also served as the Athletics New Zealand 100 km National Championships, drawing runners from across the country and abroad. The atmosphere combined the focus of a national title race with the warmth and joy that define Sri Chinmoy’s sporting legacy.

Remarkable 100 km Performances

In the women’s 100 km, Konoka Azumi (Owairaka Athletics, AUK) achieved a new course record of 8:15:12, surpassing the previous mark by only nine seconds. Meanwhile, Ben Taylor (North Canterbury Athletics) won the men’s event in 9:10:18. George Young and George Mills followed close behind, both showing remarkable consistency and endurance.

Exciting 50 km Races

In the 50 km distance, Vajin Armstrong (Christchurch, CAN) led the men’s race, finishing in 3:16:23 and missing the course record by less than a minute. Mat Wiseman (Christchurch, CAN) was an early leader but was overtaken by Vajin in the final kilometers. David Shadbolt (Rolleston, CAN) finished third. In the women’s 50 km, Hannah Oldroyd (Kaiapoi, CAN) triumphed with 3:23:09, improving her own 2023 best, while Siobhan Griffiths (Rotorua, BOP) and Natasha Demster (Christchurch, CAN) completed the top three. These races highlighted both physical endurance and the inner calm that comes from focusing beyond personal limits.

Vajin Armstrong running during the 50 km race, later becoming the winner, at the Sri Chinmoy Ultras NZ 2025 in Christchurch

Relay Highlights and Team Spirit

Another highlight of the day was the 100 km 4-person relay. The winning team, Motus Rollston, finished in 7:34:16. They were followed by Four of a Kind and Sports Doctors. The relay brought an atmosphere of excitement and unity, where each runner’s effort contributed to the shared success of the team. Runners shared smiles, teamwork, and steady encouragement throughout the day.

Atmosphere and Reflections

Throughout the event, Hagley Park glowed under clear spring skies. Gentle sunshine, green trees, and cheering supporters created a peaceful yet vibrant setting. Many runners described entering a calm, steady rhythm where every lap became a simple act of mindfulness. As the day ended, athletes, volunteers, and families gathered at the Lotus Heart Indian Vegetarian Restaurant to celebrate achievements and share stories.

Photos, Results, and Event Highlights

A Continuing Legacy of Inspiration

Sri Chinmoy’s races continue to inspire runners worldwide. They remind us that endurance is not only about distance but also about discovering inner strength and peace.

Learn More

News #86: Pavaka’s Group and Vedic Fire Complete Balkan Tour 2025

Posted on by Yatkara

Pavaka Group performing Sri Chinmoy compositions on stage during Balkan Tour 2025

A Musical Journey Across the Balkans

In late October and early November 2025, Pavaka’s Group and the Vedic Fire Ensemble completed a remarkable concert tour across the Balkans, performing in five cities with a total of seven concerts. The tour schedule included:

  • Oct 27 – Sofia, Bulgaria
  • Oct 28 – Plovdiv, Bulgaria
  • Oct 29 – Niš, Serbia
  • Oct 30 – Belgrade, Serbia
  • Oct 31 – Skopje, North Macedonia
  • Nov 1 & 2 – Skopje, North Macedonia

The tour brought audiences together for evenings filled with inspiration, stillness, and heartfelt connection through music.

Soulful Performances of Sri Chinmoy’s Music

Each concert featured arrangements of Sri Chinmoy’s compositions – songs dedicated to peace, beauty, and the joy of self-transcendence. Pavaka’s Group, renowned for their warm acoustic sound and rich harmonies, blended guitars, bass, and percussion to create an immersive atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Vedic Fire Ensemble delivered vibrant instrumental pieces with uplifting, almost celestial energy. Together, they offered a balance of meditative calm and dynamic intensity.

Audience Connection and Impact

Audiences responded with quiet reverence and smiles of appreciation. Concert halls in Sofia and Skopje experienced moments of collective silence after each piece—a reflection of the music’s profound impact. Many attendees described the concerts as “a direct experience of peace,” highlighting how Pavaka’s Group and Vedic Fire Ensemble continues to inspire listeners and create meaningful connections worldwide.

Continuing Sri Chinmoy’s Legacy

Sri Chinmoy (1931–2007) composed over 20,000 devotional songs dedicated to the inner journey of the human spirit. Through tours like this, Pavaka’s Group and Vedic Fire bring his music to new audiences while honoring his legacy and spreading the message of inner peace and self-transcendence.

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News #85: VIII Self-Transcendence 6-Hour Race – San Vito di Gaggiano, Italy

Posted on by Yatkara

Participants running the Self-Transcendence 6 Hour Race at San Vito di Gaggiano 2025

The Self-Transcendence 6-Hour Race returned on October 19, 2025, to San Vito di Gaggiano, offering athletes a unique endurance challenge along the scenic Bosco dei Cento Passi loop. Organized by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, this annual event draws runners seeking not only to test their physical limits but also to explore the deeper spirit of self-transcendence through movement and mindful perseverance.

Pushing beyond limits, step by step

The race is more than a competition – it’s a celebration of human determination, patience, and inner focus. Participants ranged from seasoned ultra-athletes to first-time entrants pursuing personal milestones. Lap after lap, runners found a rhythm that was both meditative and physically demanding. The quiet forest trail, dotted with golden autumn leaves, offered a serene backdrop, encouraging reflection and a sense of harmony with nature. Each stride became a dialogue between body and mind, fatigue and resolve, effort and awareness.

Remarkable achievements and inspiring moments

While the event emphasizes personal growth, exceptional performances stood out. One female runner covered 67.116 km in six hours, a testament to endurance, pacing, and consistency. Yet, beyond the statistics, the race shone in the small, human moments: a runner encouraging a neighbor to keep going, volunteers offering words of support, and spectators cheering quietly along the trail. These gestures embodied the race’s ethos—self-transcendence is as much about shared experience as it is about individual effort.

A community of support and connection

The looped course created a sense of unity. The shared energy of participants, volunteers, pacers, and spectators transformed the forest into a space of encouragement and reflection. Many runners commented on how the autumn scenery, gentle trails, and collective spirit made each lap both challenging and uplifting. The finish line marked not just physical achievement but a moment of personal insight, gratitude, and joy.

Official results and further information

News #84: Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon 2025 in Chelyabinsk, Russia

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Runners starting the Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon in Chelyabinsk, Russia

A Celebration of Running and Self-Transcendence

On 11 October 2025, runners gathered in Chelyabinsk, Russia, for the Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon 2025, also known as the Self-Transcendence — Autumn Half-Marathon. Organized by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, the event once again united athletes and enthusiasts who share a passion for running, peace, and personal growth. The race took place at the city’s Municipal Ski Base, offering a scenic and inspiring setting surrounded by autumn colors.

A Scenic Course and Inspiring Atmosphere

The 21.1 km course combined natural park trails and quiet city streets, giving participants both beauty and challenge. As the race began, the crisp October air and golden leaves created an uplifting mood. Many runners spoke about how the calm environment and rhythmic sound of footsteps encouraged reflection and focus.

Moreover, the event attracted participants of all ages and fitness levels. From experienced half-marathoners to first-time runners, everyone found joy in testing their limits. The race was not only about competition but also about connection — with nature, with others, and with one’s inner strength.

Highlights and Memorable Moments

A total of 47 runners took part in the event. The course was well marked and supported by cheerful volunteers who offered water, encouragement, and smiles at every stage. In addition, families and local spectators came to cheer for the athletes, adding warmth and community spirit.

As runners crossed the finish line, they celebrated both physical achievement and inner fulfillment. Some achieved personal bests, while others simply enjoyed the experience of being part of something harmonious and uplifting. This beautiful blend of effort and serenity truly reflected the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team’s motto — Run and Become.

Looking Ahead

The Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon in Chelyabinsk continues to grow each year, attracting new runners and spreading the message of self-transcendence. Future editions will keep promoting joy, discipline, and spiritual awareness through running. Whether you come to compete or to experience peace through movement, this event invites everyone to discover the beauty of running as meditation in action.

Learn More

For race results and event details, visit the official page: Self-Transcendence — Autumn Half-Marathon

Explore upcoming Sri Chinmoy races and results: www.srichinmoyraces.org
Learn about Sri Chinmoy’s life and teachings: www.srichinmoy.org

Video #326: Vienna to Paris 2019 – Shamita Achenbach-König’s 1,200 km Ultra Solo Run

Posted on by Yatkara

Introduction

In early 2019, Shamita Achenbach-König completed an extraordinary 1,200 km solo run from Vienna to Paris over 16 days. A cellist from Vienna and an ultra-runner for over 25 years, Shamita approached this journey as both a physical and spiritual challenge. Inspired by Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy, she embraced long-distance running as a form of meditation, self-reflection, and connection with the heart and soul.

Shamita ran the equivalent of two marathons each day, facing harsh weather, low temperatures, and challenging terrain. Her dedicated support crew from the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team helped her stay positive and focused, while minor injuries and obstacles became opportunities to practice patience, perseverance, and mindfulness.

This journey highlights how ultra-distance running can serve as a spiritual path. Shamita’s run from Vienna to Paris exemplifies self-transcendence, inner strength, and harmony between body, mind, and soul.

Reflections and Spiritual Journey

During the 16-day adventure, Shamita combined endurance with meditation, viewing each step as part of a larger inner journey. She demonstrates how aspiration, focus, and persistence can transform physical challenges into profound personal growth. Her experience shows that long-distance running can be a doorway to peace and spiritual insight.

Shamita’s 2025 Solo Run – Vienna to Oslo

Shamita Achenbach-König running during her solo run Vienna to Oslo 2025

Building on her 2019 journey, Shamita’s 2025 solo run from Vienna to Oslo covered 2,000 km over 19 days, running 80–90 km per day for up to 14 hours daily. Along the way, she climbed more than 6,300 meters, traversing hills and small mountains across six countries: Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. This latest adventure demonstrates her continued dedication to long-distance running as a spiritual practice, combining endurance, self-discipline, and meditation.

For more details on Shamita’s 2025 solo journey from Vienna to Oslo: Shamita’s 2025 Solo Run

Explore More

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