Tag: Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team

Video #316: Swimming 20 Bridges Around Manhattan for Peace – Vasanti Sets Record

Posted on by Yatkara

On September 12, 2025, Peace Run team member Vasanti Niemz (68) from Germany completed the iconic 20 Bridges open-water swim around Manhattan Island, dedicating it to Peace, in honour of the United Nations’ 80th Anniversary, the 55th year of Sri Chinmoy’s Peace Meditations at the UN, and the upcoming International Day of Peace.

Vasanti became the oldest woman ever to finish this swim, completing 48.5 km in 9 hours 34 minutes (current-assisted). The Peace Torch was lit at Pier A at both the start and finish, and carried on the escort boat by her crew, Pipasa and Jamini. The event was organized by New York Open Water (NYOW), which provided safety support – pilot, observer, and kayaker.

For Vasanti, the Manhattan swim was a lifelong dream. With separate group starts now by speed and carefully timed with tidal currents, it became possible even for slower swimmers. This year’s swim also marked her 40th anniversary of her first English Channel crossing (Sept. 9, 1985) – a very special combination of personal history and global tribute.

Having now completed two of the three components of the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, she plans to attempt the Catalina Channel in August 2026, aiming for another age record.

Because the higher gears on her bike malfunctioned the next day, she wasn’t able to complete her intended Peace Triathlon (swim + 50 km bike + 5 mi run). Instead, after relighting the Peace Torch at Pier A, she did a leisurely 20-mile sightseeing bike loop along the Hudson and East River Greenway, with detours, dead ends, and a visit past the UN Headquarters. It made for a peaceful recovery ride.

More Information:

News #71: Self-Transcendence 24-Hour Track Race — London, United Kingdom

Posted on by Yatkara

On the weekend of 20–21 September 2025, 52 dedicated runners gathered at Battersea Park’s Millennium Stadium in London for the Self-Transcendence 24-Hour Track Race. Despite challenging, blustery conditions, participants embraced the physical and mental challenge of covering as many laps as possible within 24 hours.

In his debut at this distance, Julien Cazorla (FRA) led the men’s field with an impressive 242.939 km (150.955 miles). Paula Bedford (GBR) topped the women’s division with 188.605 km (117.193 miles). Notably, seven athletes surpassed the 200 km mark, and 31 runners completed over 100 miles, highlighting the event’s competitive spirit and the athletes’ endurance.

The race, organized by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in conjunction with Run and Become, is renowned for its superb organization and has been a fixture in the UK ultrarunning calendar since 1989. It serves as a testament to the principles of self-transcendence, perseverance, and community.

More Information:

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

News #70: Sri Chinmoy Duathlon – Tockington, Bristol, United Kingdom

Posted on by Yatkara

On 14 September 2025, the Sri Chinmoy Duathlon at Tockington, near Bristol, United Kingdom, delivered one of the fastest races in the series. All participants completed the course in under an hour, with 11 athletes finishing in under 40 minutes, and new women’s course records were set.

Colette Sanderson became the first woman to complete the Short Course, setting a new record of 33:57, while Christopher Clarke claimed victory in the Short Course/Open category in 26:59. In the full-distance race, Sonka Reimers established a new women’s course record of 34:33, surpassing the previous best by over a minute. The long-course overall winner was veteran 60+ athlete Alan Price, who finished in 34:18, demonstrating remarkable endurance and skill.

The 2025 season now comes to a close. Next year, the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team plans three Duathlons, a Try-a-Tri at Tockington, a three-race running series on the Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile in Eastville, and the signature Ice Cream Relay (3 × 1 Mile).

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 #69: Sri Chinmoy Yarra Boulevard Half Marathon, 10 km & 5 km – Melbourne, Australia

Posted on by Yatkara

On Sunday, 14 September, 2025, the Sri Chinmoy Yarra Boulevard Half Marathon, 10 km, and 5 km races were held in Richmond, Melbourne, Australia, along the scenic Yarra Boulevard. The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team organized the event, offering a fast, flat, traffic-free course, perfect for both seasoned runners and newcomers.

Half-marathon runners started with a 1.1 km loop followed by four laps of the 5 km circuit, while the 10 km and 5 km participants completed two laps and one lap, respectively. The event drew a spirited crowd, united by endurance, community, and the joy of running together.

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 #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.