Smarana’s story is unique in the now 22 year history of the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 mile race. He is 47, but started his multi day running career a long time ago. The 3100 mile race was the perfect distance event for him. He was so motivated by the race that he came 7 times and completed the race each time. 2007 was his fastest timing, done in 48 days and 4 hours. He came again the following year in 2008 and though he made the distance he struggled.
9 years pass and a now 46 year old Smarana shows up at the starting line last year. He had health issues early on and struggled for a long long patch. “Last year was a very very very very very special race. I am very grateful for the experience.” His affection and respect for the 3100 was so strong he says that in any other event he would have given up and not continued running. Instead he stayed and ran the best he could for the complete 52 days.
“It was very rewarding on the inner world. It is very transforming for your ego and many different levels of your being.”
When I gently ask whether or not the decision to come again this year was a hard one he immediately says, “It is more a decision of the soul. I hear the knocking deep within and I just follow it. It is not a difficult thing to follow when I have the feeling that it is the right thing to do. ”
Smarana says that after coming back from the race last year he was amazed at all the transformation that had taken place within him. “What I had gone through I had made a new step and that is why I am coming back here. This is my main motivation to come here.”
Smarana quoted one of the great multi day race veterans from a bygone era, Al Howie. “Every time I come to one of the Sri Chinmoy races I leave as a better person.” He says it happens in particular in this race. “It is so long. There is no way you cannot change.”
The board at the start of Day 9
Aharan working
It is going to be a great day
