News #66: The 18th Annual Self-Transcendence 4/21 km Race – Erdernet, Mongolia, September 13, 2025

On September 13, 2025, the 18th annual Erdenet Self-Transcendence Marathon was held in Erdenet, Mongolia. This tradition drew 100 runners in total: 83 competed over 4 km, and 17 pushed through the 21 km course. The morning brought heavy rain, yet despite the cold, wet conditions, runners showed up with courage and ran with pride from the start to the finish.

  • Youngest runner: A. Bundmaa, 9 years old (Erdenet 1st School)
  • Oldest runner: J. Odgiiv, 76 years old (Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team)

Deep appreciation to all who supported the event: the Orkhon Province Sports Department, Health Department, Orkhon Police Department, and the team at the “Khangard” Sports Complex. Thanks also to contributors from schools in Selenge and Orkhon, the Erdenet Ultra Club, “Elite Runners,” “Hurd Erdenet,” and many others whose participation made this a memorable community gathering.

Event Information, Photos & Results:

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

News #65: Self-Transcendence 50 km & 100 km Races – Chelyabinsk, Russia, August 30, 2025

On August 30, 2025, the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team held the Self-Transcendence Super-Marathon in Chelyabinsk, Russia, featuring both 50-km & 100-km distances. The event was hosted at the City Ski Base and attracted runners from across the region.

Top Results

100 km
• Sergey Maskaykin (Men, 18-39) — 7:37:49
• Alexander Volkov (Men, 40-49) — 7:43:13
• Alexey Potapushkin (Men, 40-49) — 8:50:18
• Timur Akhmedyanov — 9:45:55
• Yana Vasilyeva (Women, 18-39) — 12:07:14

50 km
• Vladimir Pertsev (Men, 40-49) — 4:17:21
• Marat Baimukhametov (Men, 50-59) — 4:34:48
• Ekaterina Solovyeva (Women, 40-49) — 4:49:14
• Vyacheslav Dudin (Men, 60-69) — 6:05:54
• Yuri Vaganov (Men, 60-69) — 6:33:18
• Natalya Vaganova (Women, 50-59) — 7:17:51

Congratulations to all runners, volunteers, and organizers for an inspiring event full of heart and perseverance. The course was demanding, and conditions were tough – yet everyone showed amazing spirit.

Full results: ru.srichinmoyraces.org/chelyabinsk-supermarathon/previous-results/2025

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

News #64: Annual Sri Chinmoy Heart-Garden Run and Ceremony – October 12, 2025

On Sunday, October 12, 2025, the Sri Chinmoy Centre will hold the annual Heart-Garden Run and Ceremony at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, New York. Flushing Meadows holds special meaning — on October 11, 2006, both Sri Chinmoy Peace Street and Sri Chinmoy Heart-Garden were dedicated, an occasion in which Sri Chinmoy was present.

The program:

  • 9:45 AM – Children’s fun runs (100m / 800m)
  • 10:00 am – Children’s Peace Run program (20-30 minutes)
  • 10:00 AM – 2-Mile Run/Walk begins
  • 10:30 AM – Heart-Garden Ceremony, including:
    • Peace Walk with the Peace Torch
    • Singing performances
    • Torch-Bearer Awards honouring distinguished guests for their contributions
    • Inspirational words by our guests
    • Gifts, refreshments, and mixing

Participation is free of charge.

For full event details, please visit the official event page: us.srichinmoyraces.org/heart-garden-race
For more information about events, visit the official website: www.srichinmoycentre.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

News #63: The Self-Transcendence Marathon in Minsk – August 23, 2025

On August 23, 2025, the Self-Transcendence Marathon took place in Minsk in a scenic area near the National Library and along the water canal. This annual event continues to inspire runners of all levels, celebrating both endurance and the spirit of self-transcendence.

The marathon drew over 60 participants eager to challenge themselves. Olga Rizikova triumphed among women with a finishing time of 3:33:00, while Sergey Dydyshko led the men with an impressive 3:03:36. For many runners, this was their first marathon, making their accomplishment even more remarkable. Despite the hot weather and dirt-track conditions, all participants demonstrated determination, perseverance, and the joy of running together in a supportive and uplifting environment.

Congratulations to all runners, volunteers, and organizers for making this inspiring marathon a memorable celebration of self-transcendence! This race beautifully embodies the spirit and values of the Self-Transcendence events worldwide.

More Information:

To explore upcoming Sri Chinmoy races: www.srichinmoyraces.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy’s vision and legacy: www.srichinmoy.org.

News #61: Vasanti Niemz Completes 20 Bridges Swim Around Manhattan in Honor of UN’s 80th Anniversary

On September 12, 2025, Vasanti Niemz, 68, of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, undertook the legendary 28.5-mile 20 Bridges Swim around Manhattan, a remarkable journey celebrating 40 years of the SCMT Channel and Marathon Swimming, the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations and its Culture of Peace Program, and 55 years of Peace Meditation at the UN.

Supported by crew members Jamini and Pipasa, and with the Peace Torch on board, Vasanti set out from Pier A, completing the circumnavigation in a stunning 9 hours, 34 minutes, and 7 seconds — several hours ahead of her projected finish time. Her kayak pilot remarked that in all her years of experience, she had never seen such calm conditions under the George Washington Bridge. Throughout the swim, Vasanti dedicated her effort to peace, the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run, and the spirit of harmony that unites us all.

The next day, Vasanti biked a 20-mile loop around Lower Manhattan and carried the Peace Torch symbolically from the finish of the 20 Bridges swim at Pier A to the United Nations and back. 

Her inspiring journey also points to the upcoming “7 Minutes of Peace” Meditation on Sunday, September 21, at 9:00 a.m. EST, inviting people worldwide to join in a shared moment of reflection and unity.

This extraordinary swim stands as a testament to Vasanti’s endurance, dedication, and heartfelt commitment to peace. 
See also her longer report on: https://www.peacerun.org/us/news/2025/0912/5606/

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