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A new course record 14:01 for Kevin Campbell at the Scottish 5km Road championship.

Stefanie Tucker takes the women’s title

Another Master’s record for Falkirk’s Fiona Matheson.

Full results HERE    

RACE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDING DRONE FOOTAGE :        RACE VIDEO HIGHLIGHT  

Kevin Campbell of Cambuslang took the men’s Scottish Athletics 5km road title in the annual Sri Chinmoy event at Silverknowes, Edinburgh, with his fellow club member Stefanie Tucker making it a Cambuslang double in taking the women’s title.

Pre-race rain relented just before the start, and minimal wind off the Firth of Forth led to fast times.

A small group set a good early pace, but Campbell then increased the pace, reaching the 3 km mark comfortably in front. Ben Macmillan (Falkirk) was in second, a few seconds back with a small group featuring Aberdeen’s Sean Chalmers, Cambuslang’s Callum Tharme,  James Alexander (Garscube) and Robbie Ferguson (Kilbarchan) a few yards back.

Campbell continued to push the pace and was a clear winner, just missing the 14-minute barrier in 14.01. Macmillan took second in 14:08 with Chalmers in 14:12, repeating his 3rd place from 2025.

Alexander, in 5th with 14:17 took the Scottish U/20 title in a new U/20 course record of 14:17.

In the women's race, Cambuslang’s Stefanie Tucker was a clear leader at 3km. Central’s  Grace Whelan, Kirsty Walker (Edinburgh AC, and Gala Harriers’ Katie Rourke  were a few seconds back, followed by Lasswade’s Amy Franklin.

Tucker also stayed strong in the final 2 km to achieve her goal of dipping under 16 minutes in 15:57.

Whelan took second in 16:12, with Rourke taking the bronze medal in 16:16.

Charlotte Rose-Burton, from Edinburgh University, took the Scottish women's under-20 title in 17:12.

In the Masters Category, there was another outstanding run from Falkirk’s Fiona Matheson. She took advantage of the ideal conditions to lower the British Female V65 5km road best performance to 18:58. (gun time) This was only a week after setting a new British Masters 0/65 record over the 10km distance in Grangemouth.

Adam Gray of Penicuik took the Men's V40 title in 14:58,  a second ahead of Corstorphine’s Dermot Cummins.

Moray Anderson, possibly in his first race in a new age category, took the MV50 title in 16:29, with  Chris Upson of Cambuslang taking the MV60 title in 17:31.

Lothian Running Club’s Phil Jurczyk,  in 41:51, was first MV80.

In the other Scottish women’s Masters titles, there were wins for Dundee Hawks,  Sandy MacDougall in 17:21 at MV40, Shettleston’s Avril Masson at MV50 in 18:35.

Fife’s Innes Bracegirdle was 1st FV70 in 23:54

Kevin Campbell led Cambuslang to the team title, backed up by Callum Tharme in 4th and Ryan Thomson in 9th. Edinburgh University were second, and Shettleston were third.

The Edinburgh AC  trio of Kirsty Walker, Mercss Sanchez-Oliver, and Hannah Cox took the women’s team gold medals from  Central AC and Shettleston.

Results  Men

1. Kevin Campbell. Cambuslang     14:01
2. Ben MacMillan    Falkirk Vics       14:08
3. Sean Chalmers    Aberdeen.        14:12

Women

1. Stefanie Tucker      Cambuslang . 15:57
2. Grace Whelan      Central AC     15:59
3. Katie Rourke       Gala Harriers   16:16

Master's category positions

• MV40 1. Adam Gray             Penicuik Harriers 14:58
• WV40 1. Sandy MacDougall  Dundee HH         17:21
• MV50 1. Moray Anderson    Corstorphine       16:29
• WV50 1. Avril Masson.        Shettleston          18:35
• MV60  1. Chris Upson       Cambuslang          17:31
• WV60  1. Fiona Matheson.  Falkirk Victoria    18:58
• WV70  1. Innes Bracegirdle     Fife AC             23:54
• WV70   2. Liz Bondi                  Lothian  RC     29:10
• MV80. Phillip Jurczyk             Lothian RC       41:51

Juniors

• Men U/20 1, James Alexander.   Garscube.    14:17
• Wom U/20 Charlotte Rose-Burton EDin Uni HH 17:12
• MU17 1. Ben Baillie                East Kilbride    14:43
• WU17 1. Rachel Caves           Harmeny         17:56

All results TBC.

A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE HELPERS WHO CHEERFULLY HELPED, DESPITE THE DOWNPOUR OF RAIN.   WE REALLY ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO YOU ALL.

A record field of 30 runners attended the fifth annual Sri Chinmoy 10 Day Race in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The group was led by Gábor Rakonczay of Hungary with 1217.535 km (756.54 miles), followed by Luke Ivory (GRB) with 1179.070 km (732.64) and Marcin Józefaciuk (POL) with 1154.735 km (717.52 miles). 

In the women's race, Annabel Hepworth(AUS) won with a solid 1043.265 km, and Huang Lan Yang (TWN) came second with 1019.715 km. At third place came the experienced Ilvaka Nemcova (CZE), who made an impressive push to reach the 1000 km mark with 1005.585 km or 624.84 miles. 

A new course record was set in the 6 Day Race by Switzerland's Matteo Tenchio with 762.24 km (473.63 miles) plus a 72h Swiss record. The first timer, Lilien Kiss, won the women's race, reaching 603.665 km or 375.10 miles.

Full results you can see here. 

Gallery

Interviews

 

 

In a remarkable day at the London Marathon, two elite male runners passed under the magical two hour barrier for a marathon distance during race conditions. First over the line and passing the two hour barrier was Kenyan athlete Sabastian Sawe in a world record time of 1:59:30. Second place was Yomif Kejelcha (Ethiopia) in a time of 01:59:41. Third place Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 02:00:28 was still inside the former world marathon record. In the women's race Tigst Assefa (Ethiopia set a new women's only world record in a time of 02:15:41.

It was a record breaking race in many respects, however, history will forever place a special mention on Sabastian Sawe's first marathon under two hours. A timing that was once considered 'impossible' in a way similar to the 'four minute mile' broken by Roger Bannister on 6 May 1954. To achieve this feat required an average pace of 4:33 per mile, an average speed of 13.16 mph. Yet, with London not considered the fastest course for marathon, Sewa has already talked about the possibility of running faster. It is notable that this is only his fourth ever marathon.

Whilst certainly improvements in technology of running shoes and the science of nutrition have helped improved performance, the results also illustrates the potential for human self-transcendence and the breaking of barriers once thought impossible.

Sub-Two Hour Prediction

In 1988 Sri Chinmoy wrote a prediction about a sub-two hour marathon

"Somebody has to come from Africa and break the record. Under two hours — I envision it. Somebody will run under two hours." Run and Become, part 21

At the time, the marathon world record was 2:06:50

In 2005, Sri Chinmoy met Paul Tergat, the then current world record holder in a time of 2:04:05. At the time Sri Chinmoy said.

"Paul Tergat, the world’s fastest marathoner, covered the distance in two hours, four minutes. His record is four minutes over two hours, so my prediction is still hanging in mid-air!

I am praying that one day he or somebody else will run under two hours. Whoever runs under two hours will be given by me a very special honour, plus I shall meet with his plane fare and all his expenses, whether he comes from Kenya or anyplace else. I shall honour him most lovingly, cheerfully and proudly.

Who knows, who knows? There will be someone in the near future. I do not want to say in the distant future — no! In the near future, someone will be able to fulfil my prediction.

Paul Tergat and Sri Chinmoy meeting recorded in the "Inner Meaning of Sport"

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This shows the progression of the men's world record for marathon since 1998. 

In 1900, the best known time was 2.59.45, Michel Théato (Luxembourg/France

In 1945, the best known time was 2:26:07 Sohn Kee-chung (ompeting for Japan)

In 1952, Zátopek ran 2:23:03 in the Helsinki Olympics - effectively the fastest time ever run in an Olympic marathon.

In 2019, Eliud Kipchoge ran 1:59:40 (in an unofficial Challenge with rotating pacemakers and special course, not used for official records.

On 19 April, the Sri Chinmoy 10 Day Race began. During the 10 day race period, there are also 3 and 6 Day races happening. The race was founded by Sri Chinmoy a pioneer of ultra distance races. The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team have promoted multi-day races since the 1980s, with initial incarnations of multi-day races such as the 1,000 Miles and the Five Day Race. It has been a Ten Day Race since 1996.

Results 2026 10 Day Race

In the 10 day event Kyohei Yoshizawa won with a distance of 714 miles. Holding off a challenge from 3100 Mile finisher Radu Budan, who finished 2nd with 655 miles.

In the women's event Nayaja Perugini finished first with 600.6 miles, just managing to cover an average of 60 miles a day. In 2nd place was Susan Marshall with 475 miles.

Results 6 Day Race

In the six day event, Mark Dorian was the only male entrant, finishing 1st with a distance of 312.6 miles. In the women's event Gesiane Nascimento finished first with 299.1 miles. 2nd place was Mona Majkovska with 294.7 miles.

Results 3 Day

In the three day event, 3100 Mile record holder Ashprihanal Aalto finished 1st with a distance of 232 miles, and in the women, Vasuprada Funk was 1st with a distance of 151 miles.

Follow this year's race at Sri Chinmoy 10 Day Race

Utpal's videos of the race

Stutisheel's videos of the race.

 

In warm, blue-sky conditions Keith Burrows 231.107 km (Owairaka Athletic) and Siân Johnson 165.768 km (Gisborne) ran excellent races to achieve clear victories in the 28th Sri Chinmoy 24-Hour Track Races/ Athletics New Zealand Championships, at Auckland's AUT Millennium Stadium on Sat/ Sun 21-22 March 2026 ... Keith, surpassing his 2025 (men 50-54) race record by 12.195 kms, and adding a 5th NZL championship to his victories in 2020-22-23 & 2025.

Troy Field 205.222 km (Hunua) was the men's runner-up, followed by David Middlemiss 201.947 km (Hamilton City Hawkes).

Summer Yu-Fan Hsiao 159.477 km (Whangaparāoa) and promising 25-year-old Maggi Forsyth 127.200 km (Greymouth Athletic) were 2nd & 3rd women.

Jason Cameron presented Athletics New Zealand 24-hour national championship Gold, Silver & Bronze medals to the leading 3 men & women.

Winners, Keith and Siân will join previous 24-hour race champs and have their names engraved on the respective Richard Tout and Sandy Barwich 24-Hour Perpetual Trophies.

Dan Franklin 136.000 km (Tokoroa) ran a very fine (men 75-79) 24-hour race record ... adding 16.328 kms to the late Colin Clifton's 2003 mark (119.672 km).

Edwin Van Wijngaarden C33, Hank, The Netherlands (19:25:35) observed by race-walking judges, walked 100-miles (160.9344 km) in under 24-hours, and was awarded a New Zealand Centurion medal by Philip Sharp, President of the New Zealand Centurion Walkers Club.

Fellow walkers, Barend Arie De Vries C34, Tweelingstad, The Netherlands (20:48:45), Detlef Santy C35, Langemark, Belgium (21:33:13), Kim Janssens C27, Mol, Belgium (23:16:48), David Billett C31, Adelaide, Australia (23:33:44), Gunter Luypaerts C36, Antwerpen, Belgium (23:40:51), Johan Stesmans C37, Beringen, Belgium (23:40:51) and Remco Luhrman C38, Hellevoetsluis, The Netherlands (23:44:29) also achieved New Zealand Centurion/ repeat NZL Centurion status.

In the Sri Chinmoy 12-Hour Race, New Zealand 24-hour representative Wayne Botha 107.469 km (Takapuna Harriers) was the men's winner, from Dave Clarke 81.291 km (Hamilton City Hawkes)) and George Sanders 30.000 km (Malvern, USA).

Fellow New Zealand 24-hour representative Sue Hunter 107.006 km (Hamilton City Hawkes) won the women's 12-hour ... followed by her NZL team mates Dawn Tuffery 106.574 km (Hamilton City Hawkes) and Vivian Cheng 70.000 km (Wellington Harriers).

Karl Kalders 64.523 km (Owairaka Athletic) won the Sri Chinmoy 6-Hour Race ... followed by Kgomonare Mosiane 56.206 km (Hastings Harriers) and Simon Kozak 42.080 km (Auckland).

Qiqi Huang 55.057 km (Auckland) won the women's 6-hour ... followed by Michelle Kozak 50.069 km (Auckland) and Tracy Utting-Buchanan 48.081 km (Gisborne).

Related

• Preview of 24 hour championship at NZ Athletics

 

Recently there have been several events to mark the 40th Anniversary of "Historic Swims for 1986  International Year of Peace" which began in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, 1986.

This event continues a legacy that began on January 1, 1986, when three United Nations staff members—Adhiratha Keefe, Sunil Davidson, and Shraddha Howard—stepped into the frigid waters of Hiroshima, Japan. Their symbolic swim around the sacred Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island launched an extraordinary worldwide movement that would span over 35 locations across continents. The original peace swimmers, members of the Peace Meditation Group at the United Nations led by Sri Chinmoy, combined contemplative practice with meaningful action. Before each swim, participants gathered to pray and meditate together, held banners displaying peace ideals, and sang inspirational songs about harmony and oneness. This powerful blend of inner reflection and outer action continues to inspire peace swims today. 

The project is supporting the goals and ideals of the United Nations.

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- Follows article by George Keefe

From Inner Peace to Outer Action

The inspiration for these peace swims emerged from a deep spiritual practice and personal commitment that transcended professional boundaries. All three swimmers were members of the Peace Meditation Group at the United Nations, led by Sri Chinmoy, which had been meeting regularly since 1970.

Their personal commitment to meditation and inner peace naturally evolved into community expression beyond their official responsibilities as International Civil Servants. These swims, preceded by silence, demonstrated how contemplative practice can inspire meaningful real-world engagement and ripple outward to touch the lives of others.

Before each swim, participants would gather to pray and meditate together, creating moments of profound silence and intention. They would hold banners in various languages highlighting the 1986 UN-proclaimed International Year of Peace, sing inspirational songs about harmony and oneness, and collectively focus their hearts on creating a more peaceful world. This beautiful combination of inner reflection and outer action became the hallmark of the movement, showing that peace begins within and naturally expresses itself in service to others.

A Sacred Beginning in Hiroshima

The choice of Hiroshima for the first swim carried deep significance and profound respect.

Swimming around the sacred Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island, these UN staff members chose a location that represented both the urgent need for peace and humanity’s remarkable capacity for healing and renewal. The swimmers expressed heartfelt gratitude to the local leaders and people of Japan who had turned their experience of profound tragedy into a timeless warning for humanity. Their commitment to peace and their ongoing reminder of the potential devastation of war remains a precious gift to the world—a beacon of hope emerging from darkness. Five days later, on January 6, they swam in Nagasaki Harbor, supported by the Peace Museum Director and the Mayor’s Office, honoring another community that chose to transform suffering into a powerful call for peace.

An Enthusiastic Global Response

The response was overwhelmingly positive. Media coverage was enthusiastic, with television stations, newspapers, and radio reporters eager to share this inspiring story. UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar commended their “intrepid endeavors” and noted that “there could be no more fitting venue than Hiroshima and Nagasaki to make such a demonstration.”

This encouragement fueled the swimmers’ determination to spread their message of hope even further.

A Journey of Unity Across Continents

Inspired by this warm reception, the swimmers joyfully continued their mission throughout 1986 and into 1987, traveling at their own expense to beaches, harbors, and lakes across the globe. Their journey became a celebration of humanity’s shared aspirations for peace. They brought their message to diverse locations—from the turquoise waters of Bermuda to the Dominican Republic, from Puerto Rico to Costa Rica, from Panama to Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Peru. They swam in American locations including Virginia Beach, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, New Orleans, Phoenix, and San Diego. At each stop, they found communities eager to embrace the vision of a more peaceful world, united in the understanding that we are all part of one human family.

A Message That Endures

Video by Utpal

The 2026 anniversary swims are highlighting the continued importance of the goals of the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the timeless message of the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

These principles remain as vital and inspiring today as they were forty years ago, offering a roadmap for building the peaceful world we all wish to see.

The Power of Inspired Action

What made these swims remarkable was their blend of spiritual inspiration and practical dedication. The swimmers didn’t wait for perfect conditions or elaborate planning—they acted on their vision with courage and faith.

They worked joyfully with local communities, media, and peace organizations wherever they went. Their approach was wonderfully inclusive, welcoming anyone who wished to participate, witness, or support their message. This openness created connections across cultures, languages, and backgrounds, demonstrating that peace is indeed possible when hearts unite in common purpose.

Continuing the Legacy Today

Today, as we mark the 40th anniversary, commemorative swims have already taken place in Croatia—in Dubrovnik on January 1, 2026, and Split on January 8—bringing together new generations in the same spirit of meditation, prayer, and peaceful action.

These anniversary celebrations show that the vision planted forty years ago continues to flourish, inspiring new swimmers to take the plunge for peace.

An Enduring Message of Hope

The peace swims remind us that individual actions, rooted in deep inner practice and carried out with dedication and love, can create positive waves that reach around the world. They demonstrate that working for peace doesn’t require elaborate resources—just sincere commitment, heartfelt intention, and the courage to transform inner conviction into outer action. As we face contemporary global challenges, the example set by these dedicated swimmers forty years ago offers timeless wisdom and genuine hope: combine contemplation with action, embrace practical solutions, and never underestimate the power of individuals working together with open hearts for humanity’s highest aspirations.

The cold waters of Hiroshima welcomed three courageous souls on that New Year’s Day in 1986. Their warm hearts created ripples that continue to spread today, reminding us all that peace is not merely an ideal to contemplate—it is a living reality we can create together, one dedicated action at a time.

Article by George Keefe (brother of Adhiratha Keefe)

More articles on swimming for Peace are available at 

Substack - swimming for peace

The 29th edition of the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race saw eight out of the ten runners complete the goal of 3,100 miles. This included five first time finishers. Alex Ramsey (USA), Adrian Papuc (Romania), Milan Javornicky (Czech Republic), Daniela Bojila (Italy/Romania) and Lucong Geng (China). This increases the number of runners who have ever finished the race from 52 to 57. Given that the race is in its 29th year, it is still a very elite group. 

Andrea Marcato (Italy) was once again the winner of the race in a time of 46 Days + 16:19:10. It is his sixth consecutive first place, an unprecedented achievement. Vasu Duzhiy (a former three-time winner) was 2nd place in a time of 48 Days + 04:57:52. Vasu, from St Petersburg, Russia is 59 years old, but retains a youthful energy. It is the 13th time he has completed the race out of 13 starts. 

Mahasatya Janczak (Poland) finished on the podium in a time of 48 Days + 14:37:45. It is the second time he has completed the race, and this year was nearly two days quicker than in 2023. Over the last half of the race, Mahasatya was one of the strongest runners, actually increasing his mileage towards the end.

Alex Ramsey (USA) is only the third American man to complete the race, and his frequent smiles and positivity were inspiring to other runners and helpers. Adrian Papuc (Romania) successfully completed the race at his second attempt in a time of 50 Days + 12:23:23. Adrian had a great attitude to learning from his first effort and also enjoying his time on the course. 

Milan Javornicky (Czech Republic) is another runner who learnt from previous experience. In 2020, he completed 2713.9 miles, In 2023, 3031.5 miles and this year finally completed the 3100 miles in a time of 50 Days + 15:53:55. A great example of self-transcendence.

Daniela Bojila (Italy/Romania) was attempting the 3100 Mile Race for her first time. With great determination and consistency, she finished on the last day in a time of 51 Days + 08:17:28. Lucong Geng (China) also finished on the last day, with just a couple of hours to spare. His time was  51 Days + 16:26:57. Lucong started the race very well, but encountered numerous challenges, - cold, injuries and breathing difficulties. But, with great determination, he continued to the end.

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin (Slovakia) finished with 2829.2 Miles. It was his 21st 3100 Mile race, something he has finished six times. Harita Davies (USA) finished with 2790.8 miles. Harita has finished the race on four previous occasions and is the sixth-ranked woman.

Helpers

The race is much more than the ten runners; it requires the selfless effort of a team of dedicated organisers, counters, cooks, medical staff and helpers. The race village creates a unique atmosphere with people from all over the world being brought together in a spirit of self-transcendence and selfless offering.

Founder

The race was founded by Sri Chinmoy, with the first 3100 Mile race run in 1997. It was the culmination of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team's pioneering efforts in the world of multiday running. Sri Chinmoy believed that spirituality and sports could go together with distance running a perfect opportunity to practise self-transcendence.

“There is only one dream
That will always be perfect
In your lifetime,
And that is the dream
Of self-transcendence.”

– Sri Chinmoy

Final Results 

1. Andrea Marcato       46 Days + 16:19:10
2. Vasu Duzhiy             48 Days + 04:57:52
3. Mahasatya Janczak 48 Days + 14:37:45
4. Alex Ramsey            50 Days + 09:53:11
5. Adrian Papuc            50 Days + 12:23:23
6. Milan Javornicky       50 Days + 15:53:55
7. Daniela Bojila             51 Days + 08:17:28 
8. Lucong Geng             51 Days + 16:26:57   

• Ananda-Lahari Zuscin.    2829.2 Miles 
• Harita Davies                   2790.8  Miles

Perfection Journey Blog

Utpal captured many moments and finishes from this series. See full blog at Perfection Journey

Highlights of the 3100 Mile Race

Relive some highlights of the race.

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Precious and fun moments of the 3100 Mile Race in 2025

Race organiser Stutisheel Lebedev captures an insight into this great race. 

All Results

• Results 1997-2025

Photos

• Sri Chinmoy Ultra Photos 
• US Gallery  

Video Channels

• Perfection Journey Films - Vimeo Channel
• Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team Vimeo Channel
• Stutisheel 3100 Mile Playlist YouTube Channel  
• Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team 3100 Mile Race   Youtube Channel

Media

• Welcome to the 3100 Mile Race - Daily Mail
• Multi-Day Runners Are Alarmingly Sane  - Run Outside Online
• Hoover Grad Alex Ramsey set to finish 3100 Mile Race 
• The World's Longest Footrace by Cafe Anne
• Andrea Marcato 3100 Mile Winner - www.lavocedivenezia.it 
• Previous media

On Sept. 12, 2025, Vasanti Niemz, a Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team member from Heidelberg, Germany, became the oldest woman to complete the iconic 20 Bridges marathon swim around Manhattan Island at age 68, in a time of 9 hours 34 minutes. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of her first open water marathon swim, an English Channel solo on Sept.9, 1985, she dedicated the swim to Peace and the ideals of the United Nations in honour of their 80th anniversary.

"Swimming around Manhattan was an old dream of mine," she explains. But only since a few years, when the swim started to be organised in smaller groups of similar speed by New York Open Water (NYOW), did slower swimmers also get a realistic chance to complete the 48,5 km (28,5 mile) challenge, which has to be timed well with the tidal currents.

The inspiration to sign up came after a DNF in the English Channel September 2024, when Vasanti's third EC solo was aborted after less than 8 hours for safety reasons by the pilot near the separation zone in the middle of the Channel, because the wind had picked up more than predicted against a strong current, and 5 more Channel boats decided to turn round at the same time. Swimming around Manhattan is considerably easier than swimming the English Channel and less weather dependend, but it has its own challenges - and beauty. Tidal currents are powerful around Manhattan, but they carry you, if timed correctly. However, especially at the beginning into the East River and at the end in the Hudson a strong headwind plus chaotic waves from boats, ferries and jet skies can make the swim quite "interesting" with big swells and lots of chop.

Of course it is very special to go on such a "sightseeing tour" around the Big Apple from the water, and particularly so with so many memories from over 40 years of visiting New York, running the NYC marathon, participating and performing in the Peace Meditations at the United Nations, remembering carrying the Peace Torch in so many Peace Runs starting or ending at Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza in front of the UN with UN ambassadors etc.

On the day of the swim, swimmer, helpers and kayaker were taken by boat from the North Cove Marina down to Pier A in Lower Manhattan, where the swim started around 10:20 am into a nice sunny day, along with another slightly faster swimmer from Brazil with her own support team. Water temperature was 22-23 °C, air similar. No ferries were crossing the path, which would have meant either sprinting or waiting, but turning from the Hudson at the tip of Manhattan into the East River the wind picked up and the swells were considerable.

The first 2-3 hours are crucial. If the swimmer cannot stay on schedule and keep up the predicted speed, we were told, the swim can be aborted early, because tides would be missed. Vasanti was aware and focused, using "PEACE" and "GRATITUDE" as mantras, basically throughout the swim, just swimming as calmly and powerfully as possible without worrying about the conditions. At the United Nations a friend working there came out to cheer us (swims can be followed online via a tracker) - but remained invisible from the water. Still it was nice to know someone was there, especially as the water outside the UN was quite "troubled" - what a metaphor! 

Towards Wards and Randalls Island, where our Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team used to have multi-day-races for a number of years, and into the Harlem River the water became calmer - calmer even than Lake Zurich! And we were ahead of schedule, what a boost! The 15 bridges of the Harlem River started flying by! Feeding rhythm was every 30 minutes from the kayak, all very easy-going. At the Spuyten Duyvils swing bridge, where the Harlem River meets the Hudson, our kayaker needed a short break, but when we tried to wait for her the current just pushed us gently through the open bridge into the vastness of the mighty Hudson. It was so incredibly calm and welcoming - just peace and freedom!  And we were one hour ahead of schedule.

45 minutes later we passed under George Washington Bridge, the last intermediate goal, again faster than expected. From here it is just downhill - or not?

Towards Lower Manhattan, into the sunset, the wind started to pick up again against the current, as per the forecast, and for the last hour or so the water become quite choppy again with bigger swells. Warm miso soup and some ginger tea with honey helped during the last few hours. And it seemed like everyone enjoyed the journey into the sunset with the glittering lights of the Manhattan and Jersey skylines - and some bioluminescence in the waves towards the end for the swimmer.

Green saftety lights were attached to swimmer and kayak for the last few miles. And then Pier A came again faster than expected, to enthusiastic cheers by onlookers along the dark promenade. Finish time  9 hours 34 minutes - over an hour ahead of our official schedule and more than 2 hours earlier than we had been prepared for, just in case. Thanks to great currents :)

The next day, Vasanti took a friend's spare bike by subway into Manhattan, to bike from Pier A with the Peace Torch to the UN and potentially all the way around Manhattan. (The idea was a symbolic triathlon, but it did not happen.) Due to gear problems, she just enjoyed a different kind of leisurely sightseeing along part of the swim route along the Hudson and East River and lit the Peace Torch at the United Nations for a moment of silence and a prayer for peace. Since it was a weekend, there were no flags and no visitors allowed inside. Then she biked back to the Hudson to finish the loop. Moderate biking is definitely a great recovery activity after a long swim!

The English Channel and Manhattan 20 Bridges are part of the "Triple Crown of Open Water", the third "crown" being Catalina Channel in California. This may be the next goal. One enthusiastic helper already volonteered. Wish us luck :)

More photos in the slider above. See also the report with some more photos on  https://www.peacerun.org/us/news/2025/0912/5606/

And a short video: 

New York Open Water:  https://www.nyopenwater.org/

 

 

THE 2025 SRI CHINMOY SELF-TRANSCENDENCE, 3,100 MILE RACE.

The longest certified road race in the World.

What, Where, Who, Why, How, When?

The annual Sri Chinmoy 3,100-mile got underway in New York at 6 am this morning. Yes. You read that correctly. A THREE THOUSAND, ONE HUNDRED MILE RACE!

While several thousand runners have descended on Chamonix this week to take part in the annual UTMB trail races in the beautiful surroundings of the Alps, 10 intrepid adventurers will take on this awe-inspiring challenge of running for up to 52 days around a small block in the NewYork suburb of Queens from August 30th to October 20th.

What exactly is the 3,100-mile race?

In simple terms, it is an opportunity to run 3,100 miles on a 0.5484-mile loop around a suburban block in the borough of Queens, New York. A total of 5,653 laps or 118 marathons. The course has been certified by USATF, and each lap run is meticulously recorded.

How does the race work?

The course is open for 18 hours a day, from 6am in the morning to midnight, when there is a mandatory six-hour break for all runners. Runners are encouraged to be at the course at 6 am to start each day.

They can run continuously all day, and some do, but most break up the day with walking breaks, food, massage breaks, and power naps. They can finish their day at a time of their choosing. Most runners have a daily goal they wish to achieve, to keep them above the mythical redline, which is the daily total needed to reach the 52-day cut-off.

Isn’t running a small loop boring?

Although running a small loop for such a long time may sound crazy, it is a familiar concept to multi-day runners. Conventional 24 or 48-hour races, or slightly longer six and ten-day races, are generally held on a 400-metre track or a small road loop.

They are easy to manage logistically, as the essential food and drink needed to survive the event are available regularly each lap, along with medical attention and the important moral and physical support from personal helpers and race volunteers.

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE RACE

You can view live webcams, the leaderboard, and all the latest daily news at the race website https://3100.srichinmoyraces.org/

You can also send messages to the runners, which are printed off each day and handed to them at the race. They appreciate these messages like anything, knowing runners and friends from around the world are following their progress.

Follow the race on instagram https://www.instagram.com/scmtny/

WHERE IS THE RACE?

Want to visit the race to check things out? This is where you need to get to.

Do drop by and offer the runners some encouragement.

165-65 84th Ave, Jamaica, NY 11432

WHY 3,100 Miles?

The race is organised by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team. They have been organising ultra races globally for over 40 years. This will be the  29th edition of the 3,100 race.

The Sri Chinmoy Marathon team in New York started by organising their first ultra race over the classic 24-hour distance in the late 1980s. Ultra running was not the popular sport and pastime it has become today.

Sri Chinmoy (1931-2007), the founder of the marathon team, was a spiritual teacher, artist, musician, poet, and humanitarian. He also placed a huge emphasis on physical fitness and self-transcendence of the human spirit over adversity. A simple concept of always striving to push one's boundaries, that all running, especially ultra-distance running, embodies completely.

As runners competed and became competent at 24 hours, Sri Chinmoy encouraged his students to organise longer races to enable runners to challenge themselves further. 48-hour, 6-day, 10-day, 1,000-mile, and 1,300 and 2,700-mile races followed over the next few years until 3,100 miles was set as an ultimate challenge in 1997.

Although the race is officially 3,100 miles, after the customary celebration at 3100 miles, most runners continue and run the thirteen extra laps needed to reach 5,000 km, a distance at which national and international rankings are maintained.

THE 2025 RACE

Ten runners from nine different countries started the race. This year, the runners come from New Zealand, Poland, Russia, Romania, Italy, Slovakia, China, the USA, and the Czech Republic.

Sadly, Australian Multi-day specialist Annabel Hepworth was a late withdrawal due to injury.

Andrea Marcato, with five consecutive wins at the event, starts as the favourite. The 42-year-old Italian has the third fastest time for the race. He clocked 42 days, 17 hours, 38minutes, and 38 seconds in 2021.

Andrea is a former member of the Italian 24-hour squad, as well as being an experienced long-distance open water swimmer.

• Vasu Duzhiy is a three-time winner in his 12 finishes at the race.
• Another multiple finisher, Ananda-Lahari Zuscin,  started his 21st, 3,100-mile race. He has a record of six finishes and just loves the special atmosphere the race creates.
• In 2023, Mahasatya Janczak became the first Polish runner to complete the race. He is back for more and hopes to surpass his previous time of 50 days + 17:38:38
• For Milan Javernicky, it will be his third attempt at the distance. In 2023, he came very close to accumulating 3031.5 miles in the 52 days.
• Romanian Adrian Popic is returning with unfinished business. He struggled with shin and foot issues in 2023 but feels he learned a lot about his physical issues that will help him be stronger in this years race.
• Harita Davies from New Zealand is running her 5th race. She has a best time of 50 days+13:23:14. That time, along with several intermediate distances are New Zealand national records.

Three runners are running their first 3,100-mile races

• Daniela Bojilla from Italy has several competent 6 and 10-day races to her credit.
• Lu-Cong Geng is the first Chinese athlete to run the 3,100-mile race. He is a very experienced multi-day runner and, if he paces things well in the early stages, should run well.
• Alex Ramsay has run numerous 6 and 10-day races and will be relishing the challenge of taking on the 3,100-mile race.

Sadly, Australian Multi-day specialist Annabel Hepworth was a late withdrawal due to injury.

WHAT DO I GET FOR RUNNING 3,100 Miles?

A good question you might well ask?

With the only tangible reward at the event, a t-shirt  a trophy and the usual spontaneous rounds of applause, runners must have their own special reasons for running such a long distance. Check out the 3,100 mile race runner video interviews  HERE

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvLu_ukPrpZekBKigLvofd9WNDXIhIqsa

Five-time winner Andrea Marcato offered his own thoughts.

”The name of the race says it all. Self-transcendence means going beyond your own limits to improve yourself. You become a better runner but also a better human being. You can become more capable of extending your skills in any field of life.”

At the end of the day, although extreme in nature, it is a race like any other with a start, a course, and a finish line. Just like an 800-metre or 5,000-metre race, it is a lesson for anyone in personal preparation, goal setting, planning, and execution. Several weeks of it!

A record number of entrants helped to make a great edition of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon team events at Rockland State Park. The event included a midnight marathon, a 12 hour race and 24 hour races. Highlights included Yoseph Levin breaking the Midnight Marathon men's record in a time of 2:55:16. In the 24 hour François Decelles from Canada topped the leaderboard with 114.99 miles. First lady, was Gesiane Nascimento (101.4 miles) from the promoting Sri Chinmoy Marathon team.

Video of event

This video gives a flavour of the event and some perspectives from the participants.

Pete Colaizzo who entered the 24 hour race, gives a write-up on substack

"..The Rockland Lake race consisted of a 12-hour and a 24-hour ultra – fixed time ultras basically means that you go as you please and cover as much distance in the allocated time – as well as a “Midnight Marathon,” which, yes, started at midnight!." keep reading on substack

Photo gallery - Photos are searchable by bib number, and all photos are free to download / share.  

 

Results: Sri Chinmoy-6-10-day-race-2025-results.pdf

This year's Sri Chinmoy Ten, Six and Three Day Races 2025 began on 19 April. The event promoted by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team is the oldest continuously running six-day and ten-day race in the world. The race takes place on a 0.75-mile loop course in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, New York City, from April 19-29, 2025. This year also marks the beginning of the inaugural Sri Chinmoy Three-Day (72-Hour) Race which gives runners the opportunity to experience the multi-day adventure on a smaller scale.

The race includes some stellar runners, such as 3100 Mile Record holder Ashprihanal Aalto, Finland. The race started in great weather, though this time of the year is known for its unpredictability, with past editions frequently flooded with rain.

The race was founded by Sri Chinmoy, who frequently visited the Race whilst living in New York. Sri Chinmoy felt that the ‘self-transcendence’ aspect was particularly important in ultrarunning. There comes a point in a race when one's physical prowess has reached its limit. To continue on, the runner must rely on his or her own inner determination, and tap into the infinite spiritual power that is within us all. Over the next 10 days, each runner will get the opportunity to transcend their own limits in the physical, mental and spiritual aspects.

More links

• Sri Chinmoy-6-10-day-race-2025-results.pdf
• 3, 6-10 Day Race
• Photos of 3-6-10 Day Race

A video about the 3100 Mile Race which includes historic footage from 2005-2007, when the race founder, Sri Chinmoy came to the race. It also features interviews with runners from the 2024 race, who continue this initial inspiration in their own unique way.

 

Video of the race

Finishers

1. Andrea Marcato - 43 days +03:04:06.
2. Ashprihanal Aalto - 44 days +09:22:13.
3. Wei-Ming Lo - 45 days +12:37:55.
4. Pushkar Mullauer - 46 days +10:41:04
5. Radu Budan - 47 days +05:58:18
6. Vasu Duzhiy - 47 days 10:51:33
7. Budjargal Byambaa - 48 days+15:13:10

Grahak Cunningham (47, Australia)         -   2,534 miles           
Ananda-Lahari Zuscin (49, Slovakia)        -   2,338 miles         
Annabel Hepworth (51, Australia)              -   2,185 miles             
Nina Huan-Lan Yang (46, Taiwan/Japan)   -  2,121 miles           
Stutisheel Lebedev (54, Ukraine)               -  1,593 miles      

Further Reading

• Media Articles 2024
• Stutisheel's article on 3100 Mile Race
• Tarit article on first 10 days
• Tarit article on first 30 days

Photos and videos

• Photos - Sri Chinmoy Ultra Photo
• Results of all races
• US SCMT Photo Gallery 
• SCMT Vimeo
• SCMT Youtube

As I write this, it is  Day 11 of the Sri Chinmoy 3,100-mile race. For ten days, runners have been circling the legendary 0.5488 mile loop in suburban Queens, New York.

Why run around a loop when you could be running a similar distance coast to coast, from California to New York in the USA or from Northern Norway to the Mediterranean in Europe?  

One of our previous blog posts explains the 3100 set-up.

30th August 2024 saw 12 runners start on their journey of inner and outer adventure.

Except for the real ultra nerds, it is a race that goes on, away from the public eye. Your average ultra-running enthusiast does not have the time. or inclination, to follow hour-by-hour or day-by-day, let alone the general running community.

So here is an attempt to put into a few words what has been going on for the first ten days of the race.

On day one, there was the customary burst of enthusiasm that happens at any ultra, as finally, after weeks of preparing, the race starts, and some runners appear to have more enthusiasm than common sense.

The Flying Finn, Ashprihanal,  a sixteen-time finisher and seven-time winner has returned to the race after an absence of a few years, He  logs an impressive 96.5 miles on day one 

Andrea Marcato, the Smiling Italian, who has won the race for the past four years, logs an equally impressive 96 miles.

Burdjargal Byambaa the Mongolia Wizard is running his first 3100 but is ready for the challenge after a string of quality six and ten day races. He currently has the best distances for 6 and 10 days gobally in 2024. He ran a more controlled effort of 87.7 miles.

Day 2 saw these three leading protagonists settle down a little and run 85 miles, 82.5 and 76.8 respectively.

Days 3, 4 and 5 would see the Mongolian, now warming up, run consecutive 80-mile days, and with Aalto, the Flying Finn, “consolidating” with daily mileage in the mid-70s,  took the lead.

Behind these two, Andrea would have an off day on day 3, possibly paying for the efforts of the first two days, logging only 64 miles. However, days 4 and 5 saw him return to mileage in the mid-seventies and keep him very much in touch.

Burdjargal and Andrea were steady on days 6 and 7, while Ashprihanal took a dip with two days in the mid-60s feeling what he felt was the effects of a head cold.

Days 8 and 9 saw Budjargel develop foot issues, resulting in lower mileage. He was down to 47 miles on day nine.

With Ashprihanal and Andrea throwing down daily mid-seventies, it enabled the Finn to regain the lead, with the Italian claiming a 78-mile day 9 to close the gap on the leader to only 5 miles.

Possibly inspired at closing the lead down, Andrea ran an inspired day 10  of 78.4 miles.

He briefly took the lead at one point, but day ten finished with the Finn rallying and finishing the day a mere lap ahead of the Italian.

Meanwhile, Budjargal seems to have managed his foot issues and ran a solid 69 miles to finish the day, only 12 miles behind the first two.

Although they will all seemingly profess to be racing the distance rather than each other, one cannot help but feel that there is also a friendly rivalry developing as they all strive to bring the best out of each other.

Behind these three,  previous 3100 finishers, Swiss runner Pushkar Mullauer,  the Russian Vasu Duzhly, the Taiwanese Wei Ming Lo and newcomer Radu Budan from Romania have been steadily racing themselves rather than each other, steadily logging above the daily 60 miles needed to achieve the race cut off.

Australian Annabel  Hepworth, running the 3100 for the first time and one of two female runners in the field, after an adrenaline-charged first day of 78 miles, seems to have settled into a steady routine in the low sixties as she feels her way into the race.

 

Fellow Aussie Grahak Cunningham, a previous winner of the event and a four-time finisher, knows how to handle himself to achieve a finish and has started steadily.

Huang-Lan Yang, or Nina, returning after coming up short in two previous attempts, is also easing into the race, knowing that her steady regular days are the best way to handle this vast journey.

3100 regulars, Stutisheel and Ananda-Lahari, are also making steady progress on their own personal 52-day odyssey.

By: Tarit Stott

Follow Race at 3100 Mile Race

Update Average Mileage after Day 11

 

Current course record and World Record for 3100 miles. 

Ashprihanal Aalto  - 40 Days 9 Hours  06 Minutes 21 Seconds from 2015.

Average daily miles 75.9 /123.559 km per day

The 27th annual Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence Race 3100 Mile Race began on 30 August and will run for 52 days until it finishes on 20 October. This year fourteen runners took to the start line to take part in the ultimate test of ultra-distance running.

The race was founded by Sri Chinmoy, a keen runner himself, who felt there was a strong connection between both physical and spiritual self-transcendence. As the runners testify, this is a race which brings to the fore all their inner reserves and determination; it can be life-transforming experience for both the runners and helpers.

In this year's race, the runners include Asprihanal Aalto from Finland, a nine-time winner of the race and current course record holder in a time of 40 days+09:06:21. Also returning to the race is Andrea Marcato, who has won the past four editions of the race. Another three-time winner is Vasu Duzhiy from Russia. Other returning 3100 Mile runners include Stutisheel Lebedev (Ukraine), Grahak Cunningham (Australia), Ananda-Lahari Zuscin (Slovakia), Wei-Ming Lo (Taiwan), Pushkar Mullaer (Switzerland), Nina Huang-Lan Yang (Taiwan). There are also three runners attempting the race for the first time. Budjargal Byambaa (Mongolia), Annabel Hepworth (Australia), and Radu Budan (Moldova).

As well as the eight runners, there is a crew of dedicated volunteers who put on the race, including counters, medics, cooks and the organising crew.

• 3100 Mile home page  - with Web Cam and race director's videos.