Category: 2007 race

Mystery Guests


photo by Arpan
Today the 3100 Mile Self-Transcendence Race was visited by about 40 ‘mystery guests’ who drove up in an old green and white school bus. The two organizers of this trip, Jason Eppink and Matt Green, called the trip ‘The Quest for Immortality’. Each weekend this summer, for seven weekends, different people are chosen to organize a day trip somewhere in New York City. No one in the group but the two organizers know where they are going to go or who they will meet. Even the restaurants and food are mysteries to the willing participants in this adventure group they call, ‘Going Places, Doing Stuff.’

On this trip they would witness the 3100 mile race, Ashrita’s Guiness Record demonstration and a private buffet meal at Annam Brahma Restaurant, where they also watched the wonderful documentary style video of Suprabha and the 3100 Mile Race. The adult group in their 20’s and 30’s seemed quite surprised and impressed with the whole experience at the race site. They asked many questions about the race and Sri Chinmoy, the founder of the 3100 Mile Race. Continue reading “Mystery Guests”

Counting on Them

There are many helpers who make this race possible for the runners. The Race Directors who work so hard to see that many systems run as smoothly as possible, the cooks, handlers and the indispensable counters all have invaluable roles to play in making this extremely long event run smoothly.

The counters most certainly have a uniquely important role to play here. It may seem like a simple task to sit for hours marking down the time that each runner passes by. But in reality there is much concentration and focus required of the two counters at a time who are each responsible for their five or six runners. Just a few seconds lapse of concentration on the part of the counter could cost a runner an unwanted  loss of a lap. The runners work so hard for each lap completed, so it is unthinkable that they would not be given credit for each and every step of this ultra-long journey.

The counters deserve much credit as they take on a full measure of responsibility whenever they sit down to count. But they can also be the brunt of much criticism if they ’space out’ and miss laps. Luckily, for the runners and the counters, the counting system developed over many years allows for checks and corrections, therefore mistakes are usually quite easily detected. So volunteer counters, keep on counting the runners as the runners are counting on you as well.

Live Music to Go


photo by Arpan

Playing music for the runners is a great way to contribute to the dynamic and soulful atmosphere that already pervades the race course constantly. It is also a way to access the flow of the energy which is so prevalent and obvious to most people who visit there. For those who may not always feel a flow of energy and dynamism in the race, including the runners at certain times, live music certainly helps to bring some of this enthusiastic and soulful energy to the fore.

Every morning the ‘Enthusiasm’ group of singers sing for the runners for about an hour.  Occasionally there will be musicians who sing or play various instruments for the runners. This adds a very exciting dimension to the half-mile loop for the runners, the helpers and the locals who frequent the course as well. Although the runners generally do not stop to listen to a live performance they can hear it for some time as they pass. They can carry the essence of the music with them until the next lap as ‘Music to Go’ could never be more appropriate.