
Inspiration and Records at the 3100 Mile Race
In the 27th edition of the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence Race, Tswi Wen-Ya attained a new women's world record for the 3100 Mile Race, in a time of 45 days +12:28:44. The diminutive runner from Taiwan, overcame tiredness, heavy rain and numerous physical challenges to set this remarkable new record which involved running an average of 68 miles for 45 days straight. After a short victory celebration, she continued to set a new world record for 5,000km in a time of 45 days +14:56:42.
The race saw fourteen runners take to the start line, and each runner had their own unique experience of self-transcendence. The first place finisher was Andrea Marcato from Italy. it was his fourth consecutive 1st place in the 3100 Mile Race and comes after an amazing year which included two ten day races and other ultra-distance events. His time of 43 days+13:33:23 was not a personal record, but he joins the Finnish men's world record holder Ashprihanal Aalto for being the only runner with four consecutive first places.
The race was inspired by Sri Chinmoy who saw distance running as a unique challenge to bring to the fore all the inner and outer resources of the competitor. Sri Chinmoy taught the real goal was not the outer accomplishment, but the inner progress which can come from transcending our previous capacities, and remaining cheerful whatever happens during the race.
“We compete not for the sake of defeating others, but in order to bring forward our own capacity. Our best capacity comes forward only when there are other people around us. They inspire us to bring forward our utmost capacity, and we inspire them to bring forward their utmost capacity”
– Sri Chinmoy
The race inspired many people who both took part, but also who came to help or cheer on the runners. This video gives an insight into the thoughts, feelings and experiences of the runners
3100 Mile Race Feature on US National Public Radio
Related
Sports & Self-Transcendence
More stories from Sri Chinmoy's students.

In the Right Place, At the Right Time
Eshana Gadjanski Novi Sad, Serbia
A Mountain Meditation
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
The spiritual life is normal to me
Shankara Smith London, United Kingdom
My inner calling
Purnakama Rajna Winnipeg, Canada
My Life with Sri Chinmoy: a book
Tejvan Pettinger Oxford, United Kingdom
My first Guru
Adarini Inkei Geneva, Switzerland
Failures are the pillars of success
Anugata Bach New York, United States
A love that was thick like butter
Mahatapa Palit New York, United States
Connecting the dots
Lunthita Duthely Hialeah, United States
The very first time I heard about my spiritual Master
Banshidhar Medeiros San Juan, Puerto Rico
Sri Chinmoy meets an old friend
Pradhan Balter Chicago, United States
Check your Front Tire
Arpan De Angelo New York, United States
The oneness of all paths - personal experiences
Nirbhasa Magee Dublin, IrelandSuggested videos
interviews with Sri Chinmoy's students

My spiritual search from childhood
Hemabha Jang Jeonju, South Korea
Things I have learnt from the spiritual life
Sanjay Rawal New York, United States
Beginnings of a spiritual journey
Mahatapa Palit New York, United States
Finding your spiritual Master
Gannika Wiesenberger Linz, Austria
How I got my spiritual name
Pradeep Hoogakker The Hague, Netherlands
2 things that surprised me about the spiritual life
Jayasalini Abramovskikh Moscow, Russia