Tag: running

News #68: Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series – Race 7, Half & Quarter Marathon, 4.5 km, and Children’s 1.5 km

Posted on by Yatkara

On Sunday, 14 September 2025, runners and walkers gathered in the beautiful Auckland Domain in New Zealand under a fine, breezy, early-spring sky for Race 7 of the Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series.

Race Highlights:

  • Half-Marathon (21.1 km): Nikolas Drakos finished first in 1:19:05, followed by Johnathon Hew (1:27:59) and Mark Andrew (1:33:07). In the women’s division, Lisa Harris won with 1:55:23, with Claire Twomey (2:08:30) and Daisy Hodder (2:09:47) placing second and third.
  • Quarter Marathon (10.55 km): Thirteen-year-old Abigail Bethell won outright in 43:58, breaking the women’s course record by over three minutes. She was followed by her mother Amanda Bethell (48:34) and Zara Benton (52:56). In the men’s quarter, the top three were Leo Ebner (45:51), Laxmikant Sinha (48:52), and Oscar Sheweiry (52:41).
  • 4.5 km Race: Christopher Rawles won the men’s race (21:54), with Tais Stevenson (25:27) and James McLennan (29:32) following. In the women’s race, Larissa Wildsmith claimed first (23:46), followed by Jeewon Kim (25:46) and Lisa Brown (29:30).
  • Children’s 1.5 km: In the boys’ category, Harvey Watson crossed in 6:54, followed by Villa Zhang (7:09) and Theo Maslin (8:18). In the girls’ category, Harriet Maslin won in 7:06, with Elsie Ward and Sienna Boyle tying at 8:26.

The day unfolded with unwavering courage, quiet determination, and an uplifting spirit of unity — reflecting the deeper ideals of Sri Chinmoy’s path to service, oneness, and inner growth.

More Information:

To explore upcoming Sri Chinmoy races: www.srichinmoyraces.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy: www.srichinmoy.org.

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

Posted on by Yatkara

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.

Video #310: First-Ever 6-Day Self-Transcendence Ultra Marathon in Moscow – August 8–14, 2025

Posted on by Yatkara

The inaugural 6-Day Self-Transcendence Ultra Marathon, organized by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, took place in Moscow from August 8 to 14, 2025. Held in the serene Voronovo district, athletes circled a picturesque pond with dancing fountains on a certified track that harmoniously blended nature and endurance. Despite challenging weather conditions – including rain, cold, and heat – participants pushed their physical and mental limits, with the top performer covering an impressive 706 km over the six days.

The event also featured shorter formats, including a 3-Day Race, a 48-Hour Race, and a 24-Hour Race, offering accessible entry points for varying endurance levels. A total of 40 runners from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia embarked on this daring multi-day journey, ranging from veteran ultramarathoners to newcomers exploring the limits of the human spirit.

The next 6-Day Self-Transcendence Race is scheduled to be held in Moscow on July 10, 2026.

For registration and details, please contact: +7 916 518-83-19

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 #53: Sri Chinmoy 50 km & 100 km – Paris, Bois de Vincennes – July 19, 2025

Posted on by Yatkara

https://www.inspirationheartworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/News-53-1-Sri-Chinmoy-50-km-100-km-–-Paris-Bois-de-Vincennes-–-July-19-2025.jpg

On July 19, 2025, the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team brought together ultrarunners for the 50 km and 100 km races at the scenic Bois de Vincennes in Paris. The race village was relocated this year, and the course was extended by approximately 280 m to include a turnaround, presenting new challenges handled with resilience and determination.

At 8:00 AM, 47 athletes set off for the 100 km, navigating a flat, partially shaded 1.589 m loop amid woodland paths. The 50 km saw a remarkable 69 starters and an impressive 60 finishers. Despite changing weather forecasts—from heat to potential storms – the skies largely held until a light evening rain added intrigue at the finish.

Outstanding performances included fast-paced wins in both distances and inspiring results across several age categories, including veterans and septuagenarians. The strong turnout and personal triumphs made the event truly memorable.

Quick Access Links:

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 #25: The Hill Season Podcast – The Maserati Experience: 3,100 Miles of Spiritual Elevation and 10 Days in Bulgaria

Posted on by Yatkara

In this inspiring episode of the Hill Season Podcast, Bulgarian ultra-distance runner Ivan Dimitrov sits down with two remarkable athletes just after they completed the 10-day race in New York—and right before heading into the 10-day race in Bulgaria.

They begin with a deep dive into the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team and the intense world of multi-day ultrarunning. Expect rich insights into training, mindset, and recovery. Around the 50-minute mark, the conversation shifts into how meditation and spiritual practice can help you thrive not just in racing, but in daily life.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here

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