Tag: ультрамарафон

News #92: Inspiring Sri Chinmoy 6-Hour Race in San Diego 2025

Posted on by Yatkara

Two runners holding awards and medals in front of a results board at the Sri Chinmoy 6-Hour Race in San Diego 2025

The San Diego Sri Chinmoy 6-Hour Race returned to Lake Miramar on November 9, 2025, bringing together 52 runners and walkers, ranging in age from 16 to 89, for a truly inspiring day of determination, joy, and self-transcendence. Under the bright and warming morning sun, participants embraced the six-hour challenge with unwavering energy and camaraderie, fully embodying the spirit of Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team events. This year’s race was not only a test of physical endurance but also a celebration of personal growth, friendship, and the joy of running.

Race Overview

Participants completed multiple 5-mile loops around the scenic Lake Miramar course. Extra mileage was earned by visiting one of three outpost aid stations, each staffed by enthusiastic volunteers providing water, fruit, and encouragement. In addition to tracking distance, the stations encouraged runners to pause, refocus, and push past mental limits. Each lap became more than a physical challenge—it became a journey of self-discovery and inner strength.

Notable Performances

This year, the San Diego Sri Chinmoy 6-Hour Race showcased remarkable performances across all age groups.

  • In the men’s division, Jose Herrera (27) achieved an impressive 45 miles, earning his third consecutive victory since the race’s debut in 2023. His consistency and endurance continue to inspire both new and returning participants.

  • First-time female competitor Fontayne Washington covered 37.5 miles, placing 4th overall. Her performance highlighted the growing diversity and talent in the race, demonstrating that dedication and preparation can overcome any challenge.

  • Veteran runner Piotr Jek (57) completed 41 miles, finishing 2nd overall and first in the Men’s 50–59 category. His achievement shows that age is no barrier to excellence, particularly in an event emphasizing personal growth and perseverance.

Results & Event Info 

  • View the Full Race Results here
  • See Race Photos here
  • Check the Event Page here

Special Moments and Community Spirit

Beyond the impressive distances, the event offered memorable moments that celebrated community and resilience. Winners received giant homemade apple pies from Jyoti-Bihanga Vegetarian Restaurant, along with free meal certificates. Goody baskets were provided for all category winners, ensuring that every participant left with a token of accomplishment.

Meanwhile, a curious and unexpected visitor – a rattlesnake – appeared near the race staging area early in the morning. Safely behind a fence, it stayed for hours, observing the runners with quiet patience. Its presence added a touch of excitement and a reminder of the unpredictability of nature, perfectly complementing the race’s message of persistence and awareness.

Runner Experiences and Reflections

Participants completed the race with determination and perseverance, supporting one another throughout the six-hour challenge. Many shared smiles and encouragement at the aid stations, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and community that defined the San Diego Sri Chinmoy 6-Hour Race. Families, friends, and volunteers played a vital role in cheering the runners, assisting at aid stations, and keeping spirits high throughout the day. The combination of personal effort and community support made the event both meaningful and unforgettable.

Looking Forward to 2026

The San Diego Sri Chinmoy 6-Hour Race 2025 was a resounding success, and organizers are already looking ahead to the 2026 edition, tentatively scheduled for Sunday, November 8, 2026. Whether you are a seasoned ultrarunner or a first-time participant, the race promises another day of endurance, camaraderie, and inspiration.

A day of determination, smiles, and shared achievement reminds us of Sri Chinmoy’s timeless message: “Run and become. Become and run.” This philosophy continues to resonate through every lap, every mile, and every personal victory.

Learn More and Get Involved

 

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 #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