Bipin Tells A Story About The 2010 Race

The 3100 Mile Race course is open between 6 am and 12 midnight, seven days a week. Each day a variety of neighborhood people pass through out staging area. Students, mothers with their children, kids en route to play basketball, some walking to and from  masque, others returning from shopping and, yes, even joggers, like us, circling the  familiar block completing daily exercise routines.

 

 

One such local began running our measured half mile loop one year ago after witnessing the race for some time in wonder. Last summer he  befriended Dharbhasana, a New Zealand disciple of Sri Chinmoy competing in the event for the first time. Dharbhasana encouraged him to begin running.

The new jogger  confided that his parents have weight and high cholesterol issues and although he is in his thirties  and healthy at the moment, his doctor warned him about a recent weight gain. At the time he was employed as a meter reader by New York City and expected to be promoted to direct traffic at a busy rush hour intersection.

So thrilled at the prospect of running with the handful of competitors in the 3100 Mile Race last year he began walking and running the block along  side the runners in the evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He said he hated the cold winter weather. No way he wanted to continue exercising through the winter months. Dharbhasana told him “Do Not Stop!” Whatever you do, do not stop.” and that he should go to a gym for the winter months.

He joined a local Queens’ gym in the late fall and went religiously running on a tread mill and doing pushups and chin ups.

I met him for the first time this week and heard the story. He went on to list by name each runner, as well as each runner not competing from last year.

With joy and pride he credited Dharbhasana and the race with new found joy and encouragement.