Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race

Stutisheel's blog

July 19, Utpal: One of the Best Things I Ever Did

Every runner who comes to participate in the 3100 mile race has to have a deep inner feeling and conviction that it is the right thing to do. It also goes without asking that they also need to be incredibly fit and well trained. Over 19 summers many runners have come, and each has had their own unique inspiration. One that was strong enough to shake them loose from a comfortable life back home into doing something that is the hardest thing in the world to do.

Grahak’s story of how he came to be here for the first time is particularly special. It also shows just how much Sri Chinmoy knew and cared for both the inner and outer aspects of each of his students.

“In 2005 I had just finished a one mile race in Qingdao (Christmas trip in China). I got second, which was pretty rare for me. I was in the function room of the hotel. Sri Chinmoy was handing out the awards, and he said to me. Have you run our longest race?” Confused a bit he replied that he had done the race and come in second.

“Than he asked me again in the lobby of the hotel, the same question. Than it started to inspire me, or hit home, exactly what he was asking. After that it took me a year or 2 to get up the courage and I applied to do the race.

“It was definitely insightful by Sri Chinmoy because I had been thinking about the race. It was in the back of my mind after watching Rathin Bolton, the first Australian to run in the race.”