I was wondering this morning just what kind of person and with what kind of determination they would need have to be able to reveal just how man times Ananda-Lahari has circled around Thomas Edison High school. In this his 17th attempt he has put in an almost incalculable amount of effort and determination to make it around the course 5649 times each time he has completed the 3100 mile distance. But to look at him now with his unclouded look of effervescent delight and an incandescent smile that brightens the mood of just about everyone he meets as his light footfalls tip tap their way round and round, the numbers are practically meaningless.
When you listen to him you can feel that somehow his heart is always here and though the physical finish line he has not always reached, the more important inner goal is transcended each and every time he comes to run. Though I confess I am certainly not capable of adding up the brute logistical details I am more than happy to bask in the radiance of his inner accomplishments and wish sometimes that more of the world had the same lightness, dedication, and joy.
To just be technical he ran 66 miles yesterday
He is currently in 5th place
The board after 2 days
The hero Vajra readies to leave after cleaning the course
The quiet world
The time has yet to press
Rupantar takes a rare break
Harita
Wei Ming had a good day
Rupantar
Getting ready
Andrea stretches
Start
Vasu has come a little late
Andrea had another strong day with 80 miles
A 2 day total of 162
Leads Vasu by 2 miles
Ananda-Lahari has 129 miles
Flower
Harita did 65 miles
She has 136 miles and is in 4th position
Doing well
Flower
Mahatapa counting
Stutisheel did 56 miles
He has 127 miles
Green
“I just walked here from home and I am exhausted.”
Takasumi did 59 miles
He has 124 miles
With Nina
Flower
Vasu did 76 miles
He has 160 miles
He is 2 miles behind Andrea
Green
Niriha checking the counting book
Wei Ming did 66 miles
He has 147 miles
He is in 3rd place
Flower
Rupantar with the principal of the school Moses Ojeda
A short interview
As the perfect moment.
Every moment is perfect
In a very special way.
This year our dear friend Nada, who loved this Race very, very much, and helped a lot in any way she could, is no more with us. It was her Soul’s Day on September 4th, and at that very day in 1991 she brought Monika Seles, famous tennis player at that time, to Guru and Aspiration ground. She loved Guru and Center and she served our Path from the bottom of her heart. She will always stay in our hearts as devoted one, with beautiful and sincere smile.
I am so grateful to see all the photos and videos of this amazing race. In this way, even though we are physically far away, we can be part of the race on a daily basis and we can really connect with the thoughts and feelings and experiences of the runners, organizers and helpers.
With deepest gratitude,
Hladini, Kingston, Ontario, Canada