Last night Vasu was into his final laps before completing the Self-Transcendence 3100 race for the 6th time. He was into the very depths of his 47th day here. His shirt was covered in sweat and he needed to make 67 miles before midnight.
As he passes by me along the dark sidewalk a student of Sri Chinmoy shouts out, “Jai Guru.” Vasu without hesitation responds, “Jai Guru.”
He did not say this loudly but instead with quiet soulful conviction. It was like music to my ears, just as I suppose his constant dedication to this race his spiritual teacher created has been sustaining him at every moment. Not just for 47 days but even over the past 6 years he has run this race and beyond.
In his speech of congratulations Sahishnu said, “Ladies and gentlemen this was Vasu’s second victory and his 6th straight finish at 3100 miles. He finished in 46 days, 17 hours, and 38 minutes. Which is an average of 66.35 miles a day (106.7 km)”
“This was his 2nd best finish. He is still 5th ranked all time. Out of 145 performances now this is the 33rd best performance.” Sahishnu then goes on to tell the story of Vasu’s serious back injury 8 months earlier. So severe that he could barely stand little alone train.
“Miracles do happen, and this man proved that will power and grace from above can really work together. His athletic talent is undeniable. He is one of only 5 men in history to have averaged 70 miles a day.”
The next day he comes back to start the race one last time and run 13 laps in order to complete 5,000km. I join him on his last lap and the rain is falling heavily about us.
“I love this race. I don’t know why I love it. I just love it and do it. I am happy here and I am able to do self transcendence. I hope that I can inspire some people to be better citizens of the world. They inspire me and I inspire them.”
“I do this for my beautiful Guru and for Victory Supreme.”
To become better citizens
Of the world,
We must scatter happiness
Here, there and all-where.
Sri Chinmoy, Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, part 38, Agni Press, 2004
Board start of Day 48
Balloons from last night
Clock
Table
Vajra leaves
Suhasini
Yolanda and Renae
Smarana
Sergey
Smarana
Kaneenika and Harita
Rupantar
Andrey
Harita
Vasu
Kaneenika
Sergey
Flowers left from Vasu’s finish
Start Day 48
A thunderstorm approaches and the air is charged with energy
The sky
Vasu did 67.5 miles
He only needs to do 13 laps to complete 5,000km
Running with Sasha
At the finish line
Tidying up
Flower
Kaneenika did 64 miles
She now has 2984 miles
The rains come
It is heavy
Finally 3000 miles
Gratitude
Kaneenika tells Shadri that Suprabha considered the last 100 miles her victory lap
Friday night it will be all over
Happy rocks
Nirbhasa did 62 miles
He now has 2978 miles
He is 6 miles behind
He will finish tomorrow night
A bit of green
Harita did 60 miles
She now has 2808 miles
Break time
Jokes
The goal in sight
With Katya
Flower
Yolanda did 61 miles
She now has 2793 miles
From last night
Mario doing some foot work
She has 5 days in which to complete 307 miles
Flower
Smarana did 63 miles
He now has 2793 miles
Flower
Andrey did 53 miles
He now has 2516 miles
Flower
Sergey did 47 miles
He now has 2475 miles
Flower
Nidhruvi did 53 miles
She now has 2447 miles
telling jokes
With Mareike
Flower
Ananda-Lahari did 36 miles
He now has 2351 miles
flower
Swamiji
A bit of green
The rain
Rupantar
Waterfalls
Alan and Databir
“You would be surprised just how much I know about feet, shoes, and casual footwear.”
Shadri reads the Daily Prayer
Click to Play:
Enthusiasm Awakeners
Click to Play:
The answer to the problems
Of this world
Is for every one of us
To go far beyond
Our present capacity-boundary
And become better citizens
Of the world.
Oh my Lord, this video with Vasu was so touching. Congratulations to him… and Gratitude always.
What an amazing race!!!
My infinite gratitude to all runners.
Vasu: a quiet and humble warrior-saint-runner.