
Stories from the world's longest certified road race

The Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race has been in progress since September 4, and is now nearing its half-way point. Runners have 52 days until October 25 to complete the distance, which means that they have to run 59.6 miles (95.9 km) on average every day. The runners start at 6am every morning and run laps around the same city block in Queens, New York until 12 midnight.
You can keep in touch with the runners' progress on the official race website:
This year 11 runners started. Andrea Marcato, a 2-time winner of the race, is currently leading ahead of the race record holder and 17-time finisher Asprihanal Aaalto from Sweden. Susan Marshall from New Zealand is currently leading the women's race and has just crossed the 1500 mile mark.
The race often attracts friends from the ultra-running community. Recently, Gary Corbitt visited the runners to offer encouragment to the runners
The race was founded in 1997 by spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy, who saw these races as a unique opportunity for self-discovery and transcending one's own boundaries.
Running offers us the message of transcendence. In our running, every day we are aiming at a new goal. It is like a child who studies in school. First he studies in kindergarten, then he goes to primary school, then to high school, college and university. After getting his university degree, still he is not satisfied. He wants to achieve more wisdom, more knowledge. Similarly, every day we are running towards a goal, but when we reach that goal, we want to go still farther. Either we want to improve our timing or increase our distance. There is no end. Running means continual transcendence, and that is also the message of our inner life.
Sri Chinmoy
The race gets a lot of visitors and well-wishers. During this year's race we had a very nice visit by former President Xanana Gusmāo of Timor-Leste, who led his country to independence over 30 years ago.

President Gusmão (fourth from left, in yellow cap) in front of the race scoreboard.
Related:
- Susan Marshall also ran the 6-day race in April this year, you can read about her race experience...
Sports & Self-Transcendence
More stories from Sri Chinmoy's students.

In the Whirlwind of Life
Pradeep Hoogakker The Hague, Netherlands
'It was like I was seeing who Guru really was: this extraordinary, beautiful being inside a physical body'
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
Now you are in the boat
Kaushalya Casey Toronto, Canada
Muhammad Ali: I was expecting a monster, but I found a lamb
Sevananda Padilla San Juan, Puerto Rico
Sri Chinmoy meets St. Peter
Paramita Jarvis Kingston, Canada
A New World
Apaga Renner Graz, Austria
In the Right Place, At the Right Time
Eshana Gadjanski Novi Sad, Serbia
The Swimming Relay
Toshala Elliott Auckland, New Zealand
Is it unspiritual to care about winning?
Tejvan Pettinger Oxford, United Kingdom
'Always say things in such a way as to inspire people, not discourage them'
Pradhan Balter Chicago, United States
The connection between Sri Chinmoy's music and my soul
Kamalakanta Nieves New York, United States
You only have to keep your eyes and ears open
Gannika Wiesenberger Linz, Austria
I felt a bell ringing in my heart
Charana Evans Cardiff, WalesSuggested videos
interviews with Sri Chinmoy's students

Selfless Service
Brian David Seattle, United States
From religion to spirituality
Muslim Badami Auckland, New Zealand
How meditation helped me swim the English Channel
Abhejali Bernardova Zlín, Czech Republic
Growing up on Sri Chinmoy's path
Aruna Pohland Augsburg, Germany
What is it like on the Peace Run?
Nikolaus Drekonja San Diego, United States
My favourite part of Sri Chinmoy's path
Muslim Badami Auckland, New Zealand