Sri Chinmoy ran 22 marathons between 3 March 1979 and 20 Feb 1983. His best time was 3:55:07 in his second marathon - the "Heart-Watchers Marathon" Toledo, Ohio.
Marathon is An unimaginable joy-experience Of the heart. Marathon is An unbearable suffering-experience Of the body, the vital and the mind.
- Sri Chinmoy, My Race-Prayers, part 3. (Sri Chinmoy was peaking at the start line of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon at Rockland Lake State Park, New York on 14 August 2007.)
This remained Sri Chinmoy’s personal best time for the marathon.
"The Toledo Marathon in 1979 was my best marathon. I did it in 3:55. It was so cold that day! Sometimes I was running on the left side so I could pass people, but sometimes I ran in between people to keep warm. In the beginning, before the sun came out, it was twenty-four degrees, so I was running in between people. Even so, at one point my back was freezing.
Prior to the race start, Sri Chinmoy met with Olympic triple gold medallist Emil Zatopek and ultramarathon champion Don Ritchie. Read an account of the race as reported in Anahata Nada, 1979.
7. 2 December 1979
Time: 4:33:55 Pace: 10:27 Jersey Shore Marathon Asbury Park, New Jersey
This race is Sri Chinmoy’s 7th marathon completed in the first nine months of taking up the sport.
*. 1 February 1980
Time: 6:01:27 Pace: 13:47 Solo walking marathon Streets of Briarwood and Jamaica
Sri Chinmoy commenced walking at 1:30 a.m. His 3-mile route went along the Grand Central Service Road and continued on neighbourhood streets. He did not want this marathon to be counted among his official times.
8. 24 May 1980
Time: 4:30:00 Pace: 10:18 Solo run Munich, Germany
9. 1 June 1980
Time: 5:18:31 Pace: 12:09 Sri Chinmoy Marathon San Mateo, California
Sri Chinmoy began his long-distance running career in San Francisco, California, on 1 June 1978. This race was held in honour of the second anniversary of this most significant date.
10. 1 February 1981
Sri Chinmoy Inspiration Marathon Hampton, New Hampshire
Photo by Bhashwar
Time: 5:22:11 Pace: 12:17
11. 7 March 1981
Time: 4:30:21 Pace: 10:19 Bidwell Classic Chico, California
Sri Chinmoy returned to the race where he had recorded his personal best time two years previously with the hope that he would run another fast time, but he suffered greatly from cramps from mile seventeen onwards. Read Sri Chinmoy’s account of the race.
12. 25 October 1981
New York City Marathon New York, NY
Time: 4:36:20 Pace: 10:32
Sri Chinmoy’s bodyweight was 146½ lbs.
13. 2 May 1982
Time: 4:26:56 Pace: 10:11 Newsday Long Island Marathon Long Island, NY
Sri Chinmoy recorded personal best split times for: 25 km, 2:20.30; half- marathon, 1:54:30; and 13 miles, 1:54:04.
14. 24 October 1982
Time: 4:44:41 Pace: 10:51 New York City Marathon New York
Time: 5:20:03 Pace: 12:12 Solo run Flushing Meadow Park, NY
21. 6 February 1983
Time: 5:56:59 Pace: 13:37 Sri Chinmoy Inspiration Marathon Hampton, NH
Omitting rest stops, Sri Chinmoy’s time was 5:29:59.
22. 20 February 1983
Time: 5:25:20 Pace: 12:25 Solo run Hempstead Turnpike, Long Island, NY .
Omitting a rest stop after 15 miles, Sri Chinmoy’s time was 5:10:33.
Note about these statistics
These statistics and notes were maintained by Savita. In the heyday of Sri Chinmoy’s distance running, there was a long chart taped to a wall on his front porch and Savita would enter all his race results on it so that he could see at a glance his progress.
236th place out of 300 runners; Pace 8:49; Splits 9:05/ 9:06/ 8:53/ 8:34/ 8:41/ 8:44/ to end 1:31
7 MILES
1
56:24
31 Dec 1978
Sri Chinmoy Race
Antigua, West Indies
Pace 8:03
2
51:18
30 Mar 1980
Sri Chinmoy Race
Fairfield, CT
Pace 7:20; Splits 6:51/ 7:20/ 7:20/ 7:33/ 7:35/ 7:30/ 7:09; This race is one of the highlights of
Sri Chinmoy’s long-distance running career; it eclipsed all his best times from 3 miles to 7 miles.
3
59:31
4 Jan 1981
Sri Chinmoy Race
Tobago, West Indies
Pace 8:30
4
59:06
20 Sept 1981
Sri Chinmoy Race
Rockland State Park, NY
Pace 8:27; Splits 8:37/ 7:41/ 8:32/ 8:27/ 9:11/ 8:41/ 7:57
5
58:09
25 Apr 1982
Sri Chinmoy Race
Rockland State Park, NY
Pace 8:18; Splits 8:57/ 8:33/ 8:25/ 8:25/ 8:09/ 7:55/ 7:43
6
unknown
25 May 1982
‘50 Oneness-State-Songs’
Greenwich Town Hall track,
Connecticut
Solo run;
Sri Chinmoy aimed to run 7 miles in each US state
7
58:54
1 Jun 1982
‘50 Oneness-State-Songs’
Jamaica High School Track, New York
Solo run; Pace 8:25;
8
54:06
5 Jun 1982
‘50 Oneness-State-Songs’
California
Solo run; Pace 7:44; straight out and back course; Bodyweight 138 lbs
9
1:08:03
17 Jun 1982
‘50 Oneness-State-Songs’
Maryland
Solo run; Pace 9:43
10
54:01
24 Jun 1982
‘50 Oneness-State-Songs’
Vermont
Solo run; Pace 7:43; straight 7-mile course; Bodyweight 138 lbs
11
55:33
29 Jun 1982
‘50 Oneness-State-Songs’
Chicago, Illinois
Solo run; Pace 7:56
12
54:53
10 Jul 1982
‘50 Oneness-State-Songs’
Boston, Massachusetts
Solo run; Pace 7:50
13
59:15
19 Jul 1982
‘50 Oneness-State-Songs’
North Carolina
Solo run; Pace 8:28
14
55:58
20 Jul 1982
‘50 Oneness-State-Songs’
South Carolina
Solo run; Pace 8:00
15
52:58
27 Jul 1982
‘50 Oneness-State-Songs’
Westerly, Rhode Island
Solo run; Pace 7:34
The unofficial split of 47:11 for 10km is a personal best
16
57:06
10 Aug 1982
‘50 Oneness-State-Songs’
Lums Pond State Park, Delaware
Solo run; Pace 8:09
Information missing for Sri Chinmoy’s 7-mile run in New Jersey
17
1:07:16
24 Apr 1983
Sri Chinmoy Race
Rockland State Park, NY
Pace 9:37; Bodyweight 148½ lbs
18
1:36:09
8 May 1983
Sri Chinmoy Race
Flushing Meadow Park, NY
Race walking; Pace 13:44
19
1:11:46
26 May 1984
Sri Chinmoy Race
Jamaica High School Track, NY
5:30 am start; Pace 10:15; Sri Chinmoy ran 5 miles, then walked and ran
Sri Chinmoy ran the initial 13 miles plus several other segments of this relay
2
2:41:03
29 Aug 1979
Sri Chinmoy Race
Jamaica High School Track and around
Pace 12:23
3
Not recorded
22 Mar 1980
Solo run
One-mile course around Sri Chinmoy’s house
Sri Chinmoy began at 2:00 am, intending to run 30 miles, but stopped at 13 miles due to injury. He had been running at 7:30 pace.
4
2:01:30
13 Sep 1981
During Sri Chinmoy Marathon
Plainsboro, NJ
Pace 9:21; Splits 9:07/ 9:00/ 8:37/ 8:29/ 8:16/ 8:16/ 8:17/ 10:20/ 10:06/ 10:22/ 10:41/ 10:26/ 9:31; Sri Chinmoy completed the first 7 miles in 1:00:02 (Pace 8:34)
Sri Chinmoy’s two-mile races are closely linked to the weekly Runners Are Smilers races that he introduced for his students in the summer of 1984. He regularly attended these races on Saturday mornings, frequently participating in them and offering a prayer to the runners at the conclusion. The races were held even when he made his annual Christmas Trips abroad and were a highlight of these spiritual holidays. Although Sri Chinmoy recorded his best time in 1981, at the age of 49, he continued to participate, even when his injuries compelled him to walk the course.
These statistics have been compiled over many years by Savita, Vidagdha and SCMT. They are incomplete at the present time. Any additional statistics or photographs would be welcomed. Please use the contact form.
On 1 May 1985 the Sri Chinmoy 1000-Mile Race began in Flushing Meadow Park and continued until 16 May. During this time, Sri Chinmoy completed 208 miles walking to the race and around the course.
For the next two months, Sri Chinmoy continued to run/walk most of the weekly Runners Are Smilers races in the local area, but he did not want them recorded as races. He merely added the mileage to his weekly total. On 26 April 1986, the Sri Chinmoy 1000-Mile Race began in Flushing Meadow Park and continued until 11 May. Sri Chinmoy completed a total of 65 miles during the race, walking to the race from his home and around the course.
Sri Chinmoy placed 3rd in the men’s 40-49 years age group; 27th in the men’s division; and 33rd overall in a field of 63 participants. Click here for a partial list of results.
4. 5 Apr 1981
Time: 13:54
Pace: 6:57
Splits: 6:33/7:21
Sri Chinmoy Race
Compo Beach, Westport, Connecticut
Sri Chinmoy placed 2nd in the men’s 40-49 years age group; 37th in the men’s division; and 44th overall in a field of 94 participants. Click here for a partial list of results.
5. 9 Apr 1981
Time: 13:44
Pace: 6:52
Splits: 6:44/7:00
Sri Chinmoy Race
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
Sri Chinmoy placed 1st in the men’s 40-49 years age group.
6. 8 May 1981
Time: 16:12
Pace: 8:06
Sri Chinmoy Race
Toronto, Canada
7. 13 June 1981
Time: 17:01
Pace: 8:30
Sri Chinmoy Race
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
Sri Chinmoy placed 3rd in the men’s 40-49 years age group; 38th in the men’s division; and 62nd overall in a field of 73 participants. Click here for a partial list of results.
8. 30 June 1981
Time: 17:05
Pace: 8:32
Sri Chinmoy Race
Pelham Bay, Bronx, NY
Sri Chinmoy ran and racewalked this event.
9. 12 July 1981
Sri Chinmoy Race
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
Time: 15:51
Pace: 7:55
In this event Sri Chinmoy placed 3rd in the men’s 40-49 age group and then, 20 minutes later ran a 5-mile race.
10. 28 July 1981
Time: 14:33
Pace: 7:16
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
11. 3 August 1981
Time: 15:34
Pace: 7:47
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
150th Street, Jamaica, NY
12. 4 August 1981
Time: 15:21
Pace: 7:40
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
13. 6 August 1981
Time: 27:40
Pace: 13:50
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
Sri Chinmoy ran and racewalked this event.
14. 11 August 1981
Time: 14:59
Pace: 7:29
1st heat
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School, Jamaica, NY
15. 11 August 1981
Time: 15:50
Pace: 7:55
2nd heat
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School, Jamaica, NY
16. 13 August 1981
Time: 14:30
Pace: 7:15
Splits: 6:52/7:38
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Brooklyn, NY
17. 18 August 1981
Time: 16:28
Pace: 8:14
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
18. 21 August 1981
Time: 17:23
Pace: 8:41
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School, Jamaica, NY
19. 24 August 1981
Time: 15:30
Pace: 7:45
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School, Jamaica, NY
20. 31 October 1981
Time: 13:51
Pace: 6:55
Sri Chinmoy Race
Santa Barbara, California
Sri Chinmoy ran the first 400m in 1:21, and the first mile in 6:43. His bodyweight was approx. 146½ lbs.
21.7 November 1981
Time: 15:07
Pace: 7:33
Sri Chinmoy Race
Marine Park, Brooklyn, NY
Starting at 8:00 a.m., this was the first of two races Sri Chinmoy ran that day.
22. 7 November 1981
Time: 14:46
Pace: 7:23
Sri Chinmoy Race
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
Starting at 11:00 a.m., this was the second race of the day for Sri Chinmoy. In 1981 he ran a total of 21 two mile-races; five races under 14:00.
23. 20 February 1982
Time: 15:50
Pace: 7:55
Age Group Race
Alley Pond Park, Queens, NY
Sri Chinmoy won 1st place in the men’s 50 years and over; and placed 14th overall out of 31 participants. His bodyweight was 145 lbs.
24. 27 February 1982
Time: 14:23
Pace: 7:11
Age Group Race
Cunningham Park, Queens, NY
Sri Chinmoy placed 22nd overall out of 32 participants. His bodyweight was 140½ lbs.
25. 20 June 1982
Time: 15:09
Pace: 7:34
Queens Day Race
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
Sri Chinmoy’s bodyweight was down to 138 lbs.
26. 11 January 1984
Time: 23:02
Pace: 11:31
Sri Chinmoy Race
Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela
27. 4 March 1984
Time: 31:32
Pace: 15:46
Sri Chinmoy Race
Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY
28. 11 March 1984
Time: 25:26
Pace: 12:43
Sri Chinmoy Race
Marine Park, Brooklyn, NY
29. 1 April 1984
Time: 20:45
Pace: 10:22
Splits: 10:58/9:47
Sri Chinmoy Race
Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY
30. 26 June 1984
Time: 15:31
Pace: 7:45
Splits: 7:54/7:37
Inaugural ‘Runners Are Smilers’
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
Sri Chinmoy won 1st place in the men’s 50 years and over. His bodyweight was 148 lbs.
31. 3 July 1984
Time: 14:47
Pace: 7:24
Splits: 7:18/7:29
Runners Are Smilers
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
Sri Chinmoy ran a personal best for 1984, winning 1st place in the men’s 50 years and over. His bodyweight was 149 lbs.
32. 10 July 1984
Time: 14:48
Pace: 7:24
Splits: 7:15/7:33
Runners Are Smilers
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
Sri Chinmoy came 4th in the men’s 50 years and over, despite right knee pain. His bodyweight was 145 lbs.
33. 17 July 1984
Time: 15:25
Pace: 7:43
Splits: 7:28/7:57
Runners Are Smilers
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
Sri Chinmoy ran with increased right knee pain.
34. 24 July 1984
Time: 15:23
Pace: 7:42
Runners Are Smilers
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
Sri Chinmoy’s bodyweight was 148 lbs.
35. 31 July 1984
Time: 14:53
Pace: 7:27
Splits: 7:06/7:47
Runners Are Smilers
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
Sri Chinmoy’s bodyweight was 145 lbs.
36. 14 August 1984
Time: 15:49
Pace: 7:55
Splits: 8:03/7:46
Runners Are Smilers
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
On 16 Aug 1984 Sri Chinmoy competed in a 3,000-metre race around Jamaica High School in a time of 16:46.
37. 4 September 1984
Time: 25:55
Pace: 12:58
Runners Are Smilers
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
Sri Chinmoy racewalked this event.
38. 26 January 1985
Time: 17:45
Pace: 8:53
Runners Are Smilers
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
Sri Chinmoy ran and racewalked this event.
39. 23 February 1985
Time: 29:02
Pace: 14:31
Splits: 15:56/14:41
Runners Are Smilers
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
Sri Chinmoy had fasted for 8 days prior to this race and lost almost 15 lbs. His bodyweight was 155½ lbs.
40. 2 March 1985
Time: 25:16
Pace: 12:38
Splits: 15:23 walking/9:53 running
Runners Are Smilers
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
Sri Chinmoy ran a pre-race warm-up mile in 11:38.
41. 3 March 1985
Time: 24:03
Pace: 12:01
Splits: 14:06 walking/9:57 running
Green Leaves & Ripe Fruits
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
42. 9 March 1985
Time: 19:37
Pace: 9:48
Splits: 9:29 running/10:08 walk/run
Runners Are Smilers
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
Sri Chinmoy walked 2 more miles after the race. His bodyweight was 152 lbs.
43. 16 March 1985
Time: n/a
Pace: n/a
Runners Are Smilers
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
There was no overall time recorded; the 2nd mile was timed at 9:19.
44. 24 March 1985
Sri Chinmoy 2-Mile Race
Berlin, Germany
Time: not recorded
Pace: n/a
Read an article about this race by Animesh Harrington, first published in Runners: Oneness-World Harbingers magazine in 1985.
1st place out of 9 participants; Bodyweight 144½ lbs
7
2:54
7 Mar 1982
Green Leaves and Ripe Fruits
1st place out of 4 participants
8
3:14
25 Apr 1982
Green Leaves and Ripe Fruits
1st place out of 5 participants
‘Green Leaves and Ripe Fruits’ was a series of races for children under 10 and adults over 50, consisting of 400m and 800m.
9
5:01
27 May 1983
World Family Day
Greenwich, Ct
10
3:26
15 Aug 1983
Jamaica High School Track, NY
1200 METRES
1
8:17
27 May 1984
World Family Day
Greenwich, CT
400m splits: 3:03/2:40/2:34
1500 METRES
1
6:25
20 Jul 1981
Sri Chinmoy Race
San Juan, Puerto Rico
2
6:15
21 Jul 1981
Sri Chinmoy Race
San Juan, Puerto Rico
3
9:54
22 Jul 1981
Sri Chinmoy Race
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Walking
4
6:30
27 Jun 1982
Sri Chinmoy Race
Jamaica High School Track, Jamaica, NY
5
7:22
15 Aug 1984
Sri Chinmoy Race
Jamaica High School Track, Jamaica, NY
ONE MILE
1
6:35
30 Jul 1981
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School Track and around
2
6:23
2 Aug 1981
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School Track and around
Sri Chinmoy’s personal best time
3
6:54
5 Aug 1981
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School Track environs
4
13:40
9 Aug 1981
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Near Sri Chinmoy’s house
Walking (not during official race)
5
6:49
12 Aug 1981
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
150th St, Jamaica, NY
6
6:39
16 Aug 1981
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School Track environs
800m splits: 3:09/3:30
7
7:10
19 Aug 1981
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School Track environs
8
6:58
23 Aug 1981
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School Track environs
9
6:48
26 Aug 1981
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School Track environs
10
6:54
18 Oct 1981
Hudson Toyota One-Miler
Jersey City, New Jersey
Bodyweight: 144½ lbs; Race started at 10:30 am;
Sri Chinmoy raced a 1.5 mile race at 9:30 am
and another 1.5 mile race at 2:10 pm.
11
8:34
29 Oct 1981
Sri Chinmoy Race
Jamaica High School Track
Event for ‘slow’ girls
12
6:49
29 Oct 1981
Sri Chinmoy Race
Jamaica High School Track
Event for boys only
13
6:59
21 Feb 1982
Long Island Road Runners Race
Eisenhower Park, LI
Bodyweight: 143 lbs;
Sri Chinmoy came 22nd out of 35 starters.
14
6:52
28 Feb 1982
Age Group Race
Eisenhower Park, LI
Bodyweight: 142½ lbs;
Sri Chinmoy came 25th out of 49 starters
15
7:10
5 Aug 1982
Sri Chinmoy Race
Woodstock, NY
16
7:54
12 Aug 1982
Sri Chinmoy Race
Jamaica High School Track
17
7:06
12 Aug 1982
Long Beach, NY
18
7:05
13 Aug 1982
Sri Chinmoy Race
Jamaica High School Track
19
7:15
17 Oct 1982
Long Island Road Runners Club
Eisenhower Park, LI
Bodyweight: 134 lbs; Splits 1:38/1:54/2:01/1:42
20
12:55
31 Mar 1984
Sri Chinmoy Race
Jamaica High School Track
Walking
21
8:17
10 Jun 1984
New Hyde Park
22
6:47
12 Jul 1984
Suburbia Federal Savings Run
Long Beach
Bodyweight: 146½ lbs
23
6:42
15 Jul 1984
Eisenhower Park, LI
Bodyweight: 142½ lbs;
Sri Chinmoy played 2½ hours of tennis
the evening before
24
8:44
15 Mar 1986
Peace Run
Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile, London, UK
On 5 and 6 April 1986, Sri Chinmoy’s students ran 200 miles in relay teams in an event called ‘200 God-Mile-Smiles’. Sri Chinmoy ran ten separate one-mile legs for his team, which completed the 200 miles in 23 hours 33 minutes 46 seconds. Sri Chinmoy’s mile legs were as follows:
25
8:07
26
8:49
27
9:07
28
8:25
29
9:09
30
9:09
31
8:30
32
8:21
33
8:38
34
7:55
35
9:11
20 Apr 1986
5th Annual Pelham Parkway Pacers (‘Cahit Pacers’)
Bronx, NY
On 1 June 1986, in honour of the 8th anniversary of Sri Chinmoy’s long-distance running, two 26-member boys’ teams and two 26-member girls’ teams ran a 26-mile relay. Sri Chinmoy ran the first mile with the first person on each team, plus he ran the extra 385 yards for each team to complete the marathon.
36-39
Not recorded
1 Jun 1986
Sri Chinmoy’s mile times were not recorded,
but his 385-yard splits were 1:18/1:21/1:22/1:18.
40
8:43
8 Jun 1986
Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile
Berlin, Germany
41
9:56
12 Jun 1986
Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile
Zurich, Switzerland
On 16 August 1986, in honour of Sri Chinmoy’s successful 300-lb lift, his students ran a 300-mile relay. Sri Chinmoy ran four one-mile legs
42
8:36
16 Aug 1986
‘300-Oneness-Smile-Miles’
Flushing Meadow Park, NY
43
8:48
16 Aug 1986
‘300-Oneness-Smile-Miles’
Flushing Meadow Park, NY
44
9:01
16 Aug 1986
‘300-Oneness-Smile-Miles’
Flushing Meadow Park, NY
45
9:59
16 Aug 1986
‘300-Oneness-Smile-Miles’
Flushing Meadow Park, NY
46
21:09
19 Dec 1998
Runners are Smilers
Singapore
Sri Chinmoy completed one mile walking; very painful
47
23:27
26 Dec 1999
Runners are Smilers
Curitiba, Mexico
Sri Chinmoy completed one mile walking
48
20:12
29 Dec 1999
Runners are Smilers
Curitiba, Mexico
Sri Chinmoy completed one mile walking
49
17:10
31 Dec 1999
Runners are Smilers
Curitiba, Mexico
Sri Chinmoy completed one mile walking
50
19:34.53
4 Jan 2000
Runners are Smilers
Curitiba, Mexico
Sri Chinmoy completed one mile walking
51
16:54
5 Jan 2000
Runners are Smilers
Curitiba, Mexico
Sri Chinmoy completed one mile racewalking
52
17:42
8 Jan 2000
Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
Sri Chinmoy completed one mile walking before Runners are Smilers
These records are a work in progress. A number of results from Sri Chinmoy’s early years in America have, unfortunately, been lost over time. Again, other events in which Sri Chinmoy participated may come to light. This table contains a mixture of official races and key training sessions. Since Sri Chinmoy placed more emphasis on personal progress than on competition, he regarded both marks as equally important. His training sessions are also valuable indicators of the dedication he brought to his beloved track and field events. In later years, when the condition of his knees would no longer permit him to sprint or jump, he still participated wherever possible in the throwing events. These records are from the notebooks and records of Bipin, Ketan, Savita, Chetana and Vidagdha.
Sri Chinmoy’s Track Records in the West
Time
Date
Race
Location
Notes
25 METRES
1
4.66
24 Aug 1983
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School Track, Jamaica, NY
Using spikes and starting blocks
2
3.50
24 Aug 1983
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School Track, Jamaica, NY
Using spikes and standing start
30 METRES
1
5.45
21 Aug 1983
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School Track, Jamaica, NY
47 METRES
1
8.14
27 Aug 1983
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School Track, Jamaica, NY
47 sprinters competed in honour of Sri Chinmoy’s birthday
Sri Chinmoy competes in the Sri Chinmoy Masters Games held at Technicon Stadium, University of Port Elizabeth, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He runs the 100 metres in 16.68 seconds and the 200 metres in 35.58 seconds.
400 METRES
23. 27 September 1983
V World Masters Games
Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Race no. 506
Time: 1:12.66
This is Sri Chinmoy’s best time in the West. The heats began at 3:00 p.m. and Sri Chinmoy ran in the first heat. His bodyweight was 135 lbs.
400-METRE RACEWALK
1. 25 August 1989
Sports Day
Victory Field, Long Island, NY
Time: 2:21
There were four participants, including Nirvik and also Uttama (Puerto Rico).
If you have photos to contribute to this section, kindlycontact the editor.
Sri Chinmoy considered the 100-metre race to be the blue ribbon event of track and field. From his Ashram days he had excelled at this distance, winning it for sixteen consecutive years. Officially, his best time in the Ashram was 11.7, recorded using hand timing. The race was run on the Ashram’s cinder track. Sri Chinmoy used a single wooden starting block and ran barefoot. In practice, the same timekeepers recorded a best for him of 11.3.
• Bullet point denotes official race
* Asterisk denotes electronic timing
1. May 1972
Time: not known
Strides: 65 (taken from video)
Sports Day
This was Sri Chinmoy’s first recorded 100-metre race in the West. He did compete in Sports Day the previous year, 1971, but was injured at the 60-metre mark and did not complete the distance.
2. 25 August 1975
Sports Day
Woodstock, New York
Time: not known
3. 25 August 1976
Sports Day
SUNY at New Paltz
Photo: Abakash
Time: 14.70 sec
Strides: 64
Sri Chinmoy (lane 3) competed against much younger runners: Shraddha (lane 2), Pulak (lane 4) and Sunil (lane 5). Sunil stood first.
4. 30 August 1980
Time: 16.01 sec
Pan American Track & Field Masters Championships
San Juan, Puerto Rico
His other running achievements during August 1980 were: 800 metres in 2:59.9 (5 August), 2 miles in 13:53 (11 August), and 47 miles on his birthday in a time of 11 hours and 28 minutes (27 August—just three days before his competition in Puerto Rico).
5. 31 July 1981
Time: 15.60 sec
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School, Jamaica, New York
Sri Chinmoy and many of his students participated in a special series of 31 races on 31 consecutive days from 27 July to 27 August. This Grand Prix was held in honour of Sri Chinmoy’s 50th birthday. The races ranged in distance from 100 metres to 5 miles and the cumulative mileage for the Grand Prix came to 50 miles. Sri Chinmoy competed in every one of the 31 races.
6. 31 July 1981
Time: 15.50 sec
Sri Chinmoy Grand Prix
Jamaica High School, Jamaica, NY
7. 20 August 1982
Photo: Madhava
Sports Day
Fox Lane High School, Bedford, New York
Photo: Madhava
Photo: Kedar Misani
Time: 15.20 sec
Strides: 63 approx.
Earlier in the season, Sri Chinmoy had twice raced the old imperial distance of 100 yards. On 20 June, against Karabi, Nilima and Dipali, he recorded a time of 14.5 seconds. On 27 June, against Trishakash and Sanatan, he recorded a time of 14.1 seconds.
8. 25 August 1983
Sports Day John Jay High School, Cross River, NY
Time: 15.14 sec
Strides: 66.5
Sri Chinmoy is competing once more against his students Shraddha (lane 1) and Pulak (lane 5).
From 3 August to 9 September, Sri Chinmoy completed 50 races ranging from 25 metres to 800 metres. This included sixteen 100-metre races at various venues, including St John’s University, Jamaica High School, Rockland State Park and 149th Street. (Only the official Sports Day result is included in this list).
9. 23 September 1983
World Masters Games
Sixto Escobar Stadium
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Race no. 506
Photos: Dhananjaya
Time: 14.48 sec
Strides: 64 approx.
The march past of athletes during the opening ceremony of the V World Masters Games in Puerto Rico in 1983. Sri Chinmoy (in the pale blue tracksuit) is holding a Puerto Rican flag.
Sri Chinmoy competed as a member of the Puerto Rican Team at their invitation. He opened the Games with a silent meditation and his students sang a song he had composed, which became the anthem of the Games. The 100-metre heats began at 4:40 p.m. At age 52, Sri Chinmoy was in the 50-54 year age category. He wore race number 506 and ran in lane 6. He chose not to wear spikes, but he did use Newton starting blocks that he had purchased in Puerto Rico. He finished 6th in his heat. This time stood as his personal best in the West until 1992.
10. 23 July 1988
Sri Chinmoy Masters Games
Victory Field, Queens, NY
Solo race
Time: 22.81 sec
Strides: 104
This race marked Sri Chinmoy’s return to sprinting after a break of five years due to injury. His physique had also changed significantly because of his strenuous weightlifting regime. The star athlete at this meet was the great Olympian discus thrower and 4-time gold medallist Al Oerter, who hurled the discus 58.45 metres. He also inaugurated the Sri Chinmoy Peace Discus Mound at Victory Field.
11. 20 August 1988
Time: 24.00 sec
Sports Day
Victory Field, Queens, NY
Photo by Bhashwar Hart
Due to injury, Sri Chinmoy slowly jogged 100 metres and requested Olympic gold medallist Sudhahota Carl Lewis to racewalk beside him as a handicap. Also at Victory-Field, Sri Chinmoy lifted Sudhahota overhead with one arm as part of his “Lifting Up the World with a Oneness-Heart” programme, which he had begun just two months earlier.
Sri Chinmoy was to run a total of eight 100-metre races with Sudhahota Carl Lewis. The following year, on 11 November 1989, Sri Chinmoy held a Celebrity Relay on the road in Flushing Meadow Park in which 16 runners ran 100 metres each. The four final runners were: Ted Corbitt, Addwitiya Roberta Flack, Sri Chinmoy and Sudhahota.
Sri Chinmoy accepted the baton from Addwitiya Roberta Flack…
…and passed it to Sudhahota Carl Lewis who ran the anchor leg.
12. 25 August 1989
Sports Day
Victory Field, Queens, NY
Time: 15.82 sec
Strides: 76.5 approx.
13. 14 July 1990
Sri Chinmoy Masters Games
Victory Field, Queens, NY
Time: 15.47 sec
Strides: 72.5
Sri Chinmoy won his event, defeating Trishakash of Canada in the 55-59 year age division, running in lane 3 without spikes or blocks.
14. 24 August 1990
Sports Day
Victory Field, Queens, NY
Time: 15.40 sec
Strides: 75.5
Sri Chinmoy defeated Trishakash and Nirvik (San Francisco) in the Men’s Over 55 category. He did not use spikes or starting blocks and ran in lane 2.
15. 18 January 1992
Solo time trial
University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands
Time: 14.13 sec
16. 12 March 1992
First solo time trial
National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan
Time: 13.91 sec
Sri Chinmoy ran without spikes, using a standing start. He recorded his best ever time in the West to date. It was very significant for Sri Chinmoy personally to run on the same track and in the same lane–number 5–where his dear friend Sudhahota Carl Lewis had set the world 100-metre record of 9.86 seconds in the World Championships a few months previously (25 August 1991). One can even see that he has adopted Sudhahota’s open-hand style of running. After his record-breaking event, Sudhahota gave Sri Chinmoy the shoes he wore during the race as a token of his gratitude for Sri Chinmoy’s inner and outer encouragement.
17. 12 March 1992
Second solo time trial
National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan
Time: 14.52 sec
18. 22 March 1992
Time: 14.60 sec
Solo time trial
Warsaw, Poland
Indoor event
19. 22 March 1992
Time: 14.73 sec
Solo time trial
Warsaw, Poland
Indoor event
20. 4 July 1992
Time: 13.87 sec (new personal record)
Strides: 68.25
Average stride length: 57.68 inches
Number of strides per second: 4.92
Queensboro Community College,
Queens, NY
Sri Chinmoy ran with spikes. He raced with Suparashan (Germany). This race was recorded on two video cameras.
21. 11 July 1992
Sri Chinmoy Masters Games
Victory Field, Queens, NY
Time: 13.67 sec
(new personal record)
Strides: 65.5
Average stride length: 60.1 inches
Number of strides per second: 4.8
Sri Chinmoy won first place in the 60-64 year age category, beating his friendly rival Tom, against whom he was to race many times. This was Sri Chinmoy’s best ever timing in the West. It was projected after this race that if Sri Chinmoy were to increase his stride length to 62 inches and maintain the same stride frequency, he would take 63.5 strides for the 100 metres and his final time would be 13.22 seconds.
22. 1 August 1992
Eastern Regional Championships
Randall’s Island, Manhattan
Race no. 14
14.59 official electronic timing
13.88 unofficial hand timing
Strides: 65.5
This was Sri Chinmoy’s fastest electronic timing.
23. 10 October 1992
Time: 16.35 sec
Strides: 75.5
Solo time trial
Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Germany
Sri Chinmoy fulfilled a cherished dream by running on the same track where his childhood idol Jesse Owens had won the 100-metres at the 1936 Olympic Games.
24. 17 October 1992
Robertson Stadium
University of Houston, Houston, Texas
Time: 14.33
Strides: 69
The 61-year-old Sri Chinmoy ran with 31-year-old Sudhahota Carl Lewis who had recently competed at the Barcelona Olympics where he anchored the American 4x100-metre relay team to set a new world record and win the event. Out of his immense respect for Sri Chinmoy, Carl was instrumental in having Robertson Stadium dedicated as a Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossom during Sri Chinmoy’s visit. This track was the home of the famed Santa Monica Track Club under coach Tom Tellez. At the dedication ceremony, Carl said, “These peace-blossoms remind us of the noble goals, cherished dreams and fond hopes that we all share, and they bring forth the universal longing for peace from deep within our hearts.” Others attending the ceremony included track and field champions Michael Marsh, Floyd Heard, Leroy Burrell and Michelle Finn, as well as Carl’s mother, Ambalika Evelyn Lewis, and his sister, Carol.
25. 17 October 1992
Robertson Stadium
University of Houston, Houston, Texas
Time: 14.62
Strides: 70
After a few moments’ rest, the pair raced again. In the background, on the far left as they cross the finish line, can be seen Sudhahota's Santa Monica teammate, the great 200-metre runner Floyd Heard.
26. 5 June 1993
Metropolitan Athletics Congress Masters Meet
St Johns University, Queens, New York
Time: 14.84
Official electronic timing
Strides: 69.75
Sri Chinmoy used starting blocks for the event. Out of three participants in his age division, he placed second, being narrowly defeated by his friend-rival Tom. Sri Chinmoy won the silver medal in both the 100 and 200-metre events.
27. 10 July 1993
Sri Chinmoy Masters Games
Victory Field, Queens, New York
Time: 15.29
Strides: 73
Sri Chinmoy ran with Rupantar LaRusso, director of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team. The temperature was 102˚F
28. 13 October 1993
X World Veterans Championships
Miyazaki, Japan
Race no. 079
15.34 electronic timing
14.58 video timing
Strides: 67.5
Sri Chinmoy ceased training for Miyazaki on 29 July because of a severe knee injury. He did not run at all during August and September. He resumed running on 2 October, just eleven days prior to his 100-metre heat in Miyazaki. His weight during September had dropped from 156 to 150 pounds. On his second day of training, he ran 100 metres in 18.03 in the gully at Aspiration-Ground. On 4 October, he ran 100 metres in the gully in 16.79, taking 78 strides. On 5 October, he left for Miyazaki. His race number was 79 and he ran in lane 6, using starting blocks. There were 8 participants in Sri Chinmoy’s heat and he placed 4th. There were 103 competitors altogether in the 60-64 age category.
29. 12 November 1993
Robertson Stadium
University of Houston, Houston, Texas
Time: 14.80 sec
Strides: 70
Sri Chinmoy flew to Houston to celebrate the first anniversary of the dedication of the University of Houston’s Robertson Stadium Track as a Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossom. Once more, he and Sudhahota Carl Lewis ran 100 metres together on the track. They completed two time trials, with the start being given by Carl’s sister Carol Lewis (seen in the second photograph).
30. 12 November 1993
Robertson Stadium
University of Houston, Houston, Texas
Time: 15.38
Strides: 72
This was Sri Chinmoy’s 6th race with Sudhahota Carl Lewis.
31. 18 December 1993
Sri Chinmoy Masters Games
University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
Time: 15.59 sec
Strides: 74.5
32. 28 December 1993
Photo: Dhanu
Sri Chinmoy Masters Games
Apia Park, Apia, Western Samoa
Time: 15.10 sec
Strides: 72.75
33. 8 January 1994
Sri Chinmoy Masters Games
National Stadium, Suva, Fiji
Time: 14.81 sec
Strides: 69.5
34. 15 January 1994
Sri Chinmoy Masters Games
Tereora National Stadium, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Time: 15.12 sec
Strides: 72
This was Sri Chinmoy’s first race on a grass track. He stood first out of 5 runners. Among his fellow competitors were (from left, 1st photo): Nayak (Seattle), Nirvik (San Francisco) and Tirthika (London).
35. 21 January 1994
Sri Chinmoy Masters Games
Stade Pater, Papeete, Tahiti
Time: 15.29 sec
Strides: 73.5
Photo by Dhanu Alaimo
Sri Chinmoy is competing against two local runners and his student Nirvik (race no. 5, top photo).
36. 4 June 1994
Metropolitan Athletics Congress
Masters Meet
St Johns University, Queens, New York
Time: 15.15 sec
Official electronic timing
Strides: 64.75
Sri Chinmoy came 4th in his age category and 5th overall. He had lowered his bodyweight to 142 pounds and also his extensive training to lengthen his stride is evident. Here he is racing against his good friend and rival Tom, who finished in 14.98. After the race Mr Tracy Sundlun, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Athletics Congress (MAC), commented, “Obviously the highlight of this afternoon’s track meet was the last 100-metre race, which featured Sri Chinmoy. Sri Chinmoy is one of the truly great master runners and also one of the leading persons in our country spiritually.”
37. 16 July 1994
Sri Chinmoy Masters Games
Victory Field, Queens, New York
Time: 15.80 sec
Strides: 72
38. 16 July 1994
Invitational Race
Victory Field, Queens, New York
Time: 15.07 sec
Strides: 69
Sri Chinmoy ran with his dear friend Alexandr Gorelik from the Russian Foreign Ministry (in the cap) and his student Abakash. Unfortunately, Sri Chinmoy injured himself in this race and could not run again for eleven months.
39. 10 June 1995
Metropolitan Athletics Congress Masters Meet
St Johns University, Queens, New York
Time: 16.62 sec
Official electronic timing
Strides: 73
Tom’s time was 16.70.
Sri Chinmoy returned to sprint training only two days prior to this race.
40. 17 June 1992
USATF Masters Meet
Matawan High School, New Jersey
Time: 16.20 sec
Strides: 72
41. 21 June 1995
Shore Athletic Club Meet
Holmdel, New Jersey
Race no. 562
Time: 15.70
Strides: 70.5
Sri Chinmoy’s race was at 9:00 p.m. Here he is shown running against his student Databir.
42. 24 June 1995
Invitational 60-56 Age Group Race
McAteer Track, San Francisco, California
Time: 16.06
Strides: 70
Sri Chinmoy defeated his old nemesis Nirvik.
43. 27 June 1995
Sri Chinmoy Masters Games
Australian Institute of Sport
Canberra, ACT, Australia
Time: 16.62
Due to unsettled weather conditions on the morning of the race, Sri Chinmoy competed without a proper warm-up and was injured at the 60-metre mark but went on to finish. The race was later televised. The Australian Sports Commission presented Sri Chinmoy with an award for his contribution to sport in Australia.
44. 1 July 1995
Sri Chinmoy Masters Games
Ericsson Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
Time: 20.74 sec
Strides: 90.5
Sri Chinmoy competed in spite of a serious hamstring injury. The New Zealand Athletics Association gave him The Sports Award, its highest honour. The award was presented by champion marathon runner Allison Roe.
45. 29 July 1995
Sri Chinmoy Masters Games
Victory Field, Queens, New York
Time: 18.56 sec
Strides: 88
Sri Chinmoy’s race was at 1:30 p.m., in a temperature of 95˚F. He had only recommenced his sprint training three days prior to this race, following an exhausting overseas trip to Australia and New Zealand.
46. 23 August 1995
Sports Day
Victory Field, Queens, New York
Time: 15.72 sec
Strides: 76.5
This was a solo time trial during the afternoon.
47. 27 August 1995
Special Invitational Race
York College, Jamaica, New York
Time: 16.04 sec
Strides: 77.5
This was Sri Chinmoy’s 64th birthday and his 7th race with Sudhahota Carl Lewis who had come to New York to join the birthday festivities. Based on his shoes, he was clearly not anticipating a race. However, he ran with good grace and gave Sri Chinmoy tremendous joy. The following year, Carl Lewis competed in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, winning a gold medal in the long jump.
48. 27 August 1995
Special Invitational Race
York College, Jamaica, New York
Time: 16.27 sec
Strides: 77
This was Sri Chinmoy’s 8th and last race with the great Sudhahota Carl Lewis.
49. 9 September 1995
San Juan Masters Track & Field Championships
Parque Central, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Race no. 2
Time: 15.57 sec
Strides: 74
Sri Chinmoy used wooden blocks and placed third in the race out of 5 competitors. The temperature was a humid 94˚F.
50. 6 October 1995
Solo time trial
Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland
Time: 17.40 sec
Strides: 80 approx.
51. 7 October 1995
Solo time trial
Cricket Club Track, Vienna, Austria
Time: 16.30 sec
Strides: 78.25
52. 8 October 1995
Photo by Daria
Sri Chinmoy Cup
Slava Praha Stadium, Prague, Czech Republic
Race no. 877
Time: 16.60 sec
Strides: 75.5
Sri Chinmoy ran with Czech runner Robert Zmelik, the 1992 Olympic gold medallist in the decathlon. The start for this race was given by the immortal Czech Olympian runner and Sri Chinmoy’s longtime friend, Emil Zatopek. This historic meeting was reported in the November edition of National Masters News.
53. 14 October 1995
Solo time trial
Claude-Robillard Stadium, Montreal, Canada
Time: 17.06 sec
Strides: 85
This time trial and the next were conducted in rainy and windy conditions. Because of the wind, Sri Chinmoy ran in the reverse direction.
54. 14 October 1995
Solo time trial
Claude-Robillard Stadium, Montreal, Canada
Time: 16.97 sec
Strides: 85
55. 23 December 1995
Sri Chinmoy Masters Games
Greenpoint Stadium, Cape Town,
South Africa
Time: 17.05 sec
56. 14 January 1996
Sri Chinmoy Masters Games
Technicon Stadium
University of Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Time: 16.68 sec
Among the runners was Sri Chinmoy’s favourite adversary, Nirvik (in lane 3, first photo), whom he defeated.
This date was the 18th anniversary of Sri Chinmoy’s long-distance running, which he began in San Francisco. So it was especially significant for him to return to California for these Games. At the Opening Ceremony, he offered a moment of silence for world peace and the Sri Chinmoy Singers sang the Senior Games Anthem, which he composed for the occasion.
He entered 5 events at the Games. His results were:
Basketball Free Throw 1
14 goals / 25 tries
100 Metres
16.42 sec. / 4th in heat
1000 Metres Novice Rowing 2
4 min 28.30 sec. / 2nd
Softball Throw
41.76 metres
50 Metres
7.90 sec. electronic timing / 37.5 strides
1. Basketball Free Throw Shooting: From the standard free throw line (fifteen feet from the basket).
2. Ergometer (rowing machine): Each participant individually timed as he/she rowed a distance of 1km on the ergometer. Those with less than one year of experience in rowing competed in the novice division.
In the 100-metre and 50-metre sprint events, Sri Chinmoy used starting blocks. Although he did not officially retire from sprinting, this was to be Sri Chinmoy’s last 100-metre race of his long career. In fact, immediately after the 100-metre race, he said, “Next year I am determined to run under 14 seconds. After running in Sacramento, I am taking a solemn oath that next year, by August, I will run under 14 by their electronic timing. I will give it in writing. I am issuing a challenge to my body.” Unfortunately, the condition of his knees did not permit him to fulfil his oath.
58. 5 September 2003
Time: 30.15
Sports Day
Sri Chinmoy not wearing running shoes
59. 5 September 2003
Time: 24.13
Sports Day
Wearing proper shoes; age 72
60. 3 September 2004
Time: 50.43
Sports Day
Sri Chinmoy ran alone
If you have photos to contribute to this section, kindlycontact the editor.
Sri Chinmoy considered the 100-metre race to be the blue ribbon event of track and field. From his Ashram days he had excelled at this distance, winning it for sixteen consecutive years. Officially, his best time in the Ashram was 11.7, recorded using hand timing. The race was run on the Ashram’s cinder track. Sri Chinmoy used a single wooden starting block and ran barefoot. In practice, the same timekeepers recorded a best for him of 11.3. Read more...
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Sri Chinmoy’s Track Races
This section covers distances from 25 metres to 400 metres, excluding the 100 metres, which is listed separately. The records are a work in progress. A number of results from Sri Chinmoy’s early years in America have, unfortunately, been lost over time. Again, other events in which Sri Chinmoy participated may come to light. This table contains a mixture of official races and key training sessions. Since Sri Chinmoy placed more emphasis on personal progress than on competition, he regarded both marks as equally important. His training sessions are also valuable indicators of the dedication he brought to his beloved track and field events. Read more...
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Sri Chinmoy’s Two Miles Races
Compiled by Savita, Vidagdha and SCMT
Sri Chinmoy’s two-mile races are closely linked to the weekly Runners Are Smilers races that he introduced for his students in the summer of 1984. He regularly attended these races on Saturday mornings, frequently participating in them and offering a prayer to the runners at the conclusion. The races were held even when he made his annual Christmas Trips abroad and were a highlight of these spiritual holidays. Although Sri Chinmoy recorded his best time in 1981, at the age of 49, he continued to participate, even when his injuries compelled him to walk the course. Read articles...
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Sri Chinmoy’s Middle Distance Races
This section covers distances from 800 metres to 3 miles, excluding the 2-mile races, which are listed separately. Some races were conducted on a 400-metre track, but most events longer than 800 metres were conducted on the road. Read articles...
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Sri Chinmoy’s Long Distance Races
This section covers distances from 5 kilometres to 25 kilometres. Read articles...
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Sri Chinmoy’s Marathon Races
Compiled by Savita and Vidagdha
These statistics and notes were maintained by Savita. In the heyday of Sri Chinmoy’s distance running, there was a long chart taped to a wall on his front porch and Savita would enter all his race results on it so that he could see at a glance his progress. Read articles...
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Sri Chinmoy’s Ultramarathon Races
This sections features races beyond the traditional marathon distance od 26 miles 385 yards (42.195km). They include two 47-mile runs, a 30-mile run, two 12-hour walks, and a distance of 208 miles covered in a 1000-mile race. Read articles...
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Sri Chinmoy’s Field Competition
This section covers Sri Chinmoy's competitions in long jump, javelin, discus and shot put. The records are a work in progress. A number of results from Sri Chinmoy’s early years in America have, unfortunately, been lost over time. Again, other events in which Sri Chinmoy participated may come to light. This table contains a mixture of official races and key training sessions. Since Sri Chinmoy placed more emphasis on personal progress than on competition, he regarded both marks as equally important. His training sessions are also valuable indicators of the dedication he brought to his beloved track and field events. Read articles...
Artist, poet, athlete, musician, composer, singer, philosopher, spiritual master, dreamer of world peace…
Many are familiar with his stellar athletic achievements, including his short- and long-distance running, and his contributions to the international running community through races staged by his marathon team. Some may know of his prowess as a tennis player. Others may have heard of his legendary weightlifting achievements, which he undertook at an age when most people would be enjoying retirement. Less known is Sri Chinmoy’s venture into long-distance bicycle riding.
Sri Chinmoy’s love of cycling dated back to when he was a young child growing up in Chittagong, a village then in East Bengal, India, now Bangladesh. Cycling also featured in Sri Chinmoy’s daily life at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, in Pondicherry, India, where he lived and studied from the ages of 12 to 32.
For Sri Chinmoy, cycling was a metaphor for life. From the spiritual point of view, he said: “While we are cycling, we are reminding ourselves of evolution, of how the world is evolving in cycles. When we think of our planet, we think of a wheel turning; our life also is evolving like a wheel.”
In America, at the age of 45, Sri Chinmoy was inspired to take his cycling to a new level, participating in the annual 24-hour Pepsi Bicycle Marathon in New York City’s Central Park three years in a row.
In the Spring of 1977, Sri Chinmoy invited his students to join in the adventure, and many did.
Training hard for the race himself, Sri Chinmoy inspired everyone who practised with him not only to get into better physical condition but also to strengthen their own qualities of perseverance, team spirit, the thirst for self-transcendence and the hunger to compete with oneself.
In the weeks leading up to the race, Sri Chinmoy imbued the training sessions with a thrill of excitement and joy. He attentively saw to every aspect of the preparations, even selecting the team uniform and ensuring there would be food and support for all the riders. As the race date approached Sri Chinmoy told his team: “Next week, it will be only you and your cycle. Give your heart and soul on that day. Nothing is as important as competing with your best effort.”
May 28th, 1977 – the big day had arrived...
Sri Chinmoy and his 135-member team lined up with more than 9,000 other cyclists. Then they were off, under a hot midday sun. The marathon had begun! They rode from noon on Saturday to noon on Sunday, round and round the five-mile race course. Officials kept score, stamping the riders’ race bibs each time they completed a lap.
“The race itself was extremely difficult and dangerous,” according to team member Arpan DeAngelo. “There were many hills and thousands of people. We had to be extremely vigilant so as not to hit someone or be hit by someone else.”
Night fell and the team kept riding. Sri Chinmoy requested team members to form groups for safety along the dark, winding route. Braving painful leg cramps, Sri Chinmoy pressed on, leading a group of cyclists around the course all through the night, pausing only briefly for a moment’s relief.
At dawn, with the finish of the race just hours away, the team rode with renewed determination. As the clock ran down, Sri Chinmoy led the entire team in a final lap around the course. Bystanders applauded and cheered as the team crossed the finish line. A photo of the victory lap appeared in The New York Times the following day!
The team had pedalled a total of 22,530 miles (36,258 kilometres), with almost everyone transcending their capacity far beyond their expectations. Tired but happy, they gathered for the awards ceremony where the winners were announced ... “Best Uniformed Team – Sri Chinmoy Centre” ... and then, “Best Riding Team – Sri Chinmoy Centre!”
Sri Chinmoy went on to lead his team to two more bicycle marathons. In 1978, he achieved his personal best, riding a total of 230 miles (more than 370 kilometres)*. The team won prizes including best riding team (38,605 miles, or 62,129 kilometres), third place for men (Ashrita Furman) and first place for women (Pragati Pascale), not to mention, once again, best uniform!
In 1979, with his attention turned to long-distance running, Sri Chinmoy participated in one more cycling marathon, fielding his largest-ever team of 215 members. The team ended up capturing the third-place trophy in the men’s category (Arpan DeAngelo) and second and third place in the women’s category (Pragati Pascale and Nilima Silver, respectively).
* Adding to the inspiration of the day was the presence of Sri Chinmoy’s sister, Lily, visiting from India.
Sri Chinmoy Centre Marathon Team (SCCMT) participation
in the 24-Hour Pepsi Bicycle Marathon, Central Park, NY 1977–1979
1977
1978
1979
SCCMT team participants
135
197
215
Total SCCMT team mileage
22,530
38,605
Unknown
Sri Chinmoy’s mileage
175
230
160*
SCCMT team awards
Best riding team
Best uniformed team
Best riding team
Best ten-member riding team
Best uniformed team
Best riding team
Best uniformed team
SCCMT top placements
—
Men’s third-place trophy
Women’s first-place trophy
Men’s third-place trophy
Women’s second
and third place trophies
* By 1979, Sri Chinmoy’s athletic focus had turned to long-distance running. It is worth noting that before entering the bike marathon he had completed two 26.2 mile running marathons earlier the same month.
Beyond the 24-hour cycling events…
In June 1979, to honour Sri Chinmoy’s 15 years of dedicated service in America, his students organised the Empire State Bicycle Relay, covering a 1,500-mile route (2,414 kilometres) across New York State from June 21st to 27th.
After six strenuous days, the team returned early in the morning of June 27th to a hero’s welcome at the Jamaica High School track (New York), greeted by Sri Chinmoy and scores of cheering spectators.
In a salute to the returning riders, Sri Chinmoy mounted his own bicycle and meditatively rode 15 times around the sweep of track encircling the relay team. In a further show of appreciation and gratitude, later in the day, Sri Chinmoy treated the triumphant cyclists to a delicious six-course meal that he himself had prepared for them.
A year later, in June 1980, a team of Sri Chinmoy’s students cycled across the entire United States in the impressive Sri Chinmoy USA Bicycle Relay. Sri Chinmoy joined the riders as they passed through the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. These cycling adventures with Sri Chinmoy became opportunities for progress, physical and spiritual. He told his students:
“Here you are showing in boundless measure your physical capacity, your perseverance. Of all the qualities, perseverance stands foremost, not only in the spiritual life but also in the outer life.”
Many who were fortunate enough to experience that era with Sri Chinmoy have described their experiences as magical and transformative and have expressed an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all that Sri Chinmoy offered during those golden days.
– End –
The complete ‘Cycling Days’ DVD, produced in New York, August 2011, contains many more historic photographs and rare archival film footage, as well as Sri Chinmoy’s inspiring cycling songs. It can be ordered via the contact form.
Story by Savita Shivaji and Anjali Das
Photographs by Bhashwar Hart
Many are familiar with his stellar athletic achievements, including his short- and long-distance running, and his contributions to the international running community through races staged by his marathon team. Some may know of his prowess as a tennis player. Others may have heard of his legendary weightlifting … Less known is Sri Chinmoy’s venture into long-distance bicycle riding. Read more...
i. On the evening of 28 November 1976, Sri Chinmoy spontaneously set tune to 300 poems from his book of 1,000 poems, Europe-Blossoms, and performed the songs at a public recital in Jamaica, Queens, New York. Included in his selection was ‘Beauty Came to Me’, a poem he wrote in Switzerland between 5-7 June 1974, during his month-long European lecture tour. The poem, originally titled ‘They Came to Me', is number 531 in the Europe-Blossoms series.
ii. The 300 songs were subsequently published by Agni Press (New York, NY) as two songbooks, both containing 150 songs each – Surrender-Lotus-Blossoms (1 December 1976) and Surrender-Rose-Blossoms (1 January 1977).
