Bonum Cursum

The Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100-Mile Race in New York is not only the world’s longest certified footrace, it is also a symbol of the limitless possibilities of human aspiration. Every summer, a handful of athletes run almost unimaginable distances — 3,100 miles in 52 days — circling a block in Queens until they have covered nearly 5,000 kilometers.

Right now, for me, this race is something I can only watch from a distance. I read the updates, I follow the runners progress, and I try to imagine what it must feel like to take part. It seems like a dream, something far beyond my current reality.

How do the runners achieve such a level of endurance? It does not happen overnight. Most of them have been running for many years, building strength and resilience through countless marathons, ultra-marathons, and daily training. They prepare their bodies, but also their minds and hearts. Because to survive such a distance, physical talent is not enough. They need inner peace, focus, and the ability to keep moving when every part of the body demands to stop.

This is why the word “transcendence” is at the very heart of the race. It means going beyond what seems humanly possible — beyond fatigue, beyond doubt, beyond pain. Runners like Andrea Marcato from Italy, who has already won the race several times, or Mahasatya Janczak from Poland, who became the first Polish finisher in 2023, show what dedication can achieve. Their success is not only about physical training, but also about transcending the mind’s limitations and touching a deeper source of strength within.

I first came across the word transcendent not in philosophy or literature, but through sport. It surprised me, because I had always thought of transcendence as something abstract, connected with spirituality or art. But when I read about the Sri Chinmoy 3100-Mile Race, I understood the word in a new way. For the first time, it was not just about ideas or beliefs, but about the human body, endurance, and the struggle to go beyond limits.

Seeing how runners use the concept of transcendence gave the word a new meaning in my life. It showed me that transcendence is not only about escaping the ordinary, but about transforming the ordinary, step by step, hour by hour. A person can transcend by running one more mile when the legs already want to stop, or by finding calmness when the mind is restless.

In this sense, transcendence becomes not only a word, but a way of living a practice of moving beyond yesterdays limits to discover tomorrow’s possibilities.

PS: If you want to know more, the race is run on a loop. You can also watch live updates, webcams, and follow the leaderboard.

For that, use the official race site: 3100 Sri Chinmoy Race – Official Page

“I cannot change the wind, but I can adjust the sails.”