News #124: Sri Chinmoy 100km Challenge in Canberra

Posted on by Yatkara

Runners on the Sri Chinmoy 100km Road Race at Lake Burley Griffin

Sri Chinmoy 100km Road Race Canberra Delivers Epic Ultra Performances

Over the weekend of 21 and 22 February 2026, the Sri Chinmoy 100km Road Race took place in Canberra, Australia. The event combined solo 100km and 50km runs with 100km road relays and also served as the AUTRA Australian National 100km Road Championships. Runners faced a challenging mix of searing daytime heat, a bothersome headwind off the lake, and cooling night conditions on the certified 5km loop around Commonwealth Park and Lake Burley Griffin.

Any ultra-distance event tests far more than physical endurance. Runners battle fatigue, soreness, mental doubts, fear, and life stresses while hearing the soul’s whisper: “Go On, Go On!” The Sri Chinmoy 100km Road Race beautifully illustrated this inner battle, with many inspiring stories unfolding across the solo and relay categories.

Outstanding Solo 100km Performances

The solo 100km race produced remarkable results that reflect two growing trends in ultra running: the rising strength of women runners and impressive performances by older athletes.

Rhiannon Snipe delivered an outstanding overall victory, winning the race in 8:40:42 — a full 27 minutes ahead of second place. She celebrated her wedding anniversary with her husband crewing for her, staying calm, consistent and focused through heat and night hours. Defending champion Lindsay Hamilton finished second overall in 11:17:21, while Maia Nagy took third in 11:36:35.

Kevin Muller claimed the Australian Men’s 100km Road Championship title (and second place outright) in 9:07:36. The evergreen runner from the 50-59 age group showed great perseverance. James Quaife secured third overall and second in the national championships with 9:34:38.

Special mention goes to Pam Muston and Reesha Sampang for their courage and spirit. Reesha finished just 13 minutes inside the 15-hour cut-off, while Pam inspired many with her graceful effort despite a slower time.

New 50km Solo Race Sets Inaugural Records

The 50km solo race was introduced for the first time in 2026, so every category winner automatically became a course record holder.

Daniel Oehm dominated the men’s race with a strong 3:48:06, finishing 24 minutes ahead of Thomas Allen (4:12:21) and Dan Symonds (4:21:33). John Pearson won the Male 50-59 category, Stephen Graham took the Male 60-69 title, and Peter Badowski set the first Male 70+ record.

In the women’s 50km, Nicola Robertson won in 5:25:00. However, the standout performance came from Clare Wall, whose 5:53:00 placed her third overall and set what many believe will be a long-standing Female 70+ record. Debbie Maher and Elizabeth Smith also claimed strong age-group victories.

Thrilling 100km Road Relays

The relay event featured strong competition across Open, All-Female, and Mixed categories. Teams ranged from 2 to 10 members and ran 20 legs of 5km each.

The standout team was “Bad Guts Good Legs”, an all-female squad that smashed the All-Female course record by over 2.5 hours with an impressive 7:08:49. They also placed third outright among all teams. Zoe Melhuish set a new fastest women’s lap time of 17:41 during their dominant run.

In the Open category, the team “<5:59:20” won convincingly in 6:17:40, breaking the existing record. “Kudos Running Crew Open” took second, while “The Resilient Ones” completed the podium.

“Joyful Runners” claimed victory in the Mixed category with 7:28:22, ahead of “Elevated by Birrigai” and “Sunday Sesh Team 2”.

The Spirit of Self-Transcendence

The Sri Chinmoy 100km Road Race perfectly embodies Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy that ultra running is about inner growth as much as outer distance. Runners confront visible obstacles like heat and wind, and invisible ones like doubt and fatigue. Every lap offers an opportunity to transcend previous limits with a joyful heart.

The event’s success highlights the growing appeal of Sri Chinmoy ultra events in Australia. The combination of solo challenges, team relays, and national championship status creates a rich and supportive environment for athletes of all ages and backgrounds.

Results and Photos

Official Results are available for download (multiple PDFs):

View the complete race photo gallery:

More detail Information about this event:

Why Ultra Events Like This Inspire

Events such as the Sri Chinmoy 100km Road Race offer more than physical challenge. They create space for personal transformation, community connection, and the pure joy of self-transcendence. Seeing women and masters athletes excel, new course records set, and teams pushing together demonstrates the inclusive and uplifting spirit of Sri Chinmoy running events.

Explore More

For more information about sports events, visit the official website: www.srichinmoyraces.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

O My Heart #13: Sri Chinmoy Songs sung by Tanima

Posted on by Yatkara

Welcome to this series sharing three beautiful songs from Sri Chinmoy’s “O My Heart” collection. Sri Chinmoy wrote thousands of heartfelt songs full of hope, thanks, and inner light. They’re simple melodies that speak straight to your heart, helping you feel calm, peaceful, and a little brighter – whether you’re meditating, relaxing, or just going about your day.

These songs from “O My Heart” carry that gentle, uplifting feeling. Tanima, a longtime student of Sri Chinmoy and one of the early singers in his community, performs them here with real warmth and care. Her gentle, soulful voice makes each song feel alive and easy to connect with.

You can just listen quietly, hum along, or let the melodies play softly in the background — they bring a soft, happy lift to your day.

Featured this time:

Songs

  • Ami Jabo
  • Ami Jagibona Ami Kandibona Ami
  • Ami Jani Ami Habo Swaruper Sandhani

Listen & Learn

You can learn by watching the notation while listening, follow along with the melody, or download both the audio and the PDF scores for your personal practice. Everything is available for free, so you can learn at your own pace and enjoy the music more deeply. Use the links below to easily listen to the audio, download the recordings, and view or download the PDF sheet music for your convenience:

Track1
Track2
Track3
Song Scores

 

Lyrics:

1. Ami Jabo

Ami jabo ami jabo ami jabo hridaya pure
Agni sadhak bahni premik phutechi aj agun sure
Lobher bandhan moher shasan
Doinya jatan bhagna swapan
Abasheshe ek nimeshe ajanate bahu dure
Simar kole asim dule
Kanur benu jiban mule
Mahashiber pralay nachan nutan srijan jore ghure

Translation:

I shall enter into my heart’s citadel-city.
I am a worshipper of the Fire God;
I am a lover of the Fire God.
I have blossomed today
Into the melody of fiery flames.
The bondage of possession-greed,
The iron control of dark attachment,
The torture of penury,
The pangs of my shattered dreams
Have at last disappeared in a twinkling
  into the farthest, remote unknown.
On my finite lap the Infinite is swinging.
The ever-intoxicating and ever-energising
     Flute of Sri Krishna
Is the very origin of my life’s journey.
The Destruction-Dance of the great Lord Shiva
Ushers in a new creation
Encircling fast my earth-bound life.

– Sri Chinmoy, ‘One Thousand Lotus Petals, Part 2’ songbook


2. Ami Jagibona Ami Kandibona Ami

Ami jagibona ami kandibona
Ami bandhibona ami maribona
Ami shudhu rabo tomar charane
Prashanti lagi nidra magane

– Sri Chinmoy, ‘One Thousand Lotus Petals, Part 1’ songbook


3. Ami Jani Ami Habo Swaruper Sandhani

Ami jani ami jani ami jani
Ami habo swaruper sandhani
Aruper sandhani amrita sandhani

Translation:

I know, I know, I know
I shall become the discoverer of my
self-form reality.
I shall become the discoverer of my
selfless form reality.
I shall become the discoverer of my
nectar-life reality.

– Sri Chinmoy, ‘My Green Adoration-Gifts, Part 2’ songbook

 

For more of Sri Chinmoy’s published songs, visit the official website: www.srichinmoysongs.com.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

© 2026 Sri Chinmoy Centre

News #123: Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series: Race 2

Posted on by Yatkara

Runners competing on Lovelock Track during Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series Race 2

Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series Race 2 Shines on a Mild Summer Day

A mild and breezy summer’s day welcomed runners and walkers for Race 2 of the Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series on Sunday, 15 February 2026. The event returned to the popular Lovelock Track in War Memorial Park, Mt Roskill — a favourite venue for the series.

The Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series continues to grow as one of New Zealand’s most welcoming running series. It offers four distances designed for athletes of all ages and abilities: the Half-Marathon (21.1 km), 10 km, 5.6 km, and the fun Kids 2.5 km race. This second race of 2026 delivered excellent performances and a joyful community atmosphere.

Half-Marathon Results

Harry Champion produced a strong performance to win the men’s Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon comfortably in 1:32:24. Mark Andrew finished second in 1:38:31, followed by Jason Gerritz in third with 1:43:58.

The women’s half-marathon saw some competitive racing, though the main spotlight this race fell on the shorter distances.

Outstanding 10 km Performances and Course Record

The 10 km race delivered one of the highlights of the day. Alexander Broom took a clear victory in the men’s category with an excellent time of 37:54. Christopher Rawles placed second in 49:04, and Jay Harrower finished third in 55:28.

In the women’s 10 km, Kate Macdonald set a fantastic new course record. She ran 39:48, improving the previous 2019 mark set by Cath Delaporte (42:15) by more than two minutes. Anne-Marie Mujica took second place in 53:02, and Loren Peart finished third in 53:48.

Kate’s record-breaking run was one of the standout moments of Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series Race 2 and showed the high standard of competition developing in the series.

5.6 km and Kids 2.5 km Races

Oscar Sheweiry won the Sri Chinmoy 5.6 km race in 25:03. Stephan Rawles placed second in 28:15, while his father Phil Rawles completed the distance in 40:25, showing great family participation.

Sarah Lockyer won the women’s 5.6 km in 35:00, followed by Rachel Guan Ebbett in 36:56 and Rita Paton in 43:22.

The youngest participants filled the morning with energy and laughter. Villa Zhang won the Sri Chinmoy Kids 2.5 km race with a strong time of 14:39. Minnie Zue was the first girl across the line in 26:57.

Perfect Venue and Friendly Atmosphere

The Lovelock Track at War Memorial Park once again proved to be an ideal location for the Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series. The all-weather synthetic track, combined with the surrounding green spaces of Mt Roskill, created a safe, scenic, and motivating environment for runners and walkers of every level.

Mild temperatures and a light breeze provided comfortable racing conditions. Families gathered to support one another, creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere that is a hallmark of Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team events.

Results and Photos

The Growing Success of the Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series

The Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series is building a strong reputation for well-organized, family-friendly events that welcome beginners and experienced runners alike. Each race offers a supportive environment where personal improvement and enjoyment are the main goals.

Sri Chinmoy’s vision behind these events was to use running as a tool for both physical fitness and inner growth. The series embodies this philosophy by creating regular opportunities for people to challenge themselves while staying connected to a positive, encouraging community. 

The combination of the Half-Marathon, 10 km, shorter distances, and dedicated kids’ race makes the series accessible and enjoyable for entire families.

Why Runners Love This Series

Participants return to the Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series because of the friendly atmosphere, excellent organisation, and the beautiful park settings. Many families appreciate having options for every age group on the same morning. The events also help develop healthy habits and a positive attitude toward physical activity from a young age.

The record-breaking performance by Kate Macdonald in Race 2 shows that the series also attracts competitive athletes who enjoy racing on a welcoming course.

Explore More

For more information about sports events, visit the official website: www.srichinmoyraces.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

News #122: Exciting Sri Chinmoy Marathon in Amsterdam 2026

Posted on by Yatkara

International runners competing in the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Amsterdam 2026

Sri Chinmoy Marathon Amsterdam Delivers Challenging 8th Edition

On Saturday, 31 January 2026, the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Amsterdam completed its 8th edition in the beautiful Amsterdamse Bos. Runners and spectators enjoyed windless but cool conditions after morning rain left the course quite muddy. Due to maintenance work on the Bosbaan, the event once again used the familiar loop around the hill in the Amsterdam Forest, turning it into a proper trail marathon that tested every participant’s determination and resilience.

The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Amsterdam continues to attract both local Dutch runners and international athletes who appreciate its unique combination of natural beauty and spiritual inspiration. This year’s edition once again highlighted the joy of self-transcendence through endurance running.

Half-Marathon Results

Three very fast runners from Morocco flew in especially for the half-marathon. From the start, they set a blistering pace under 3:30 per kilometre. One dropped out after the first lap, but the other two continued strongly.

Othman Ettahiri claimed a convincing victory with an excellent time of 1:14:56. His friend Hamid Oukhenssa finished second in 1:16:44. British runner Daniel Lockyer took third place with 1:25:20.

In the women’s half-marathon, Lynn Sier won in 1:41:51. Edith van Beers secured second place in 1:45:32, followed by Myrthe Keustermans in 1:55:22.

Full Marathon Results

The men’s marathon belonged to Egyptian runner Mostafa Danash, who crossed the finish line comfortably in 3:18:35. Jeroen Renes finished strongly in second place with 3:31:28. Marathon debutant Wouter van Zeijl earned third place in 3:34:40. Wouter received special recognition for having the most enthusiastic group of supporters, who cheered loudly for him lap after lap until their voices grew hoarse.

In the women’s marathon, experienced Norwegian-Lithuanian runner Ugne Mirauskaite dominated the race despite having completed 100 race kilometres just one week earlier in Amersfoort. Lenie Dierx (sister of fellow runner Wilma) took second place in 4:19:24, while Conny Terwal finished third in 4:28:25.

Tough Trail Conditions Create Memorable Challenge

Morning rain made the paths in the Amsterdamse Bos quite muddy, adding an extra layer of difficulty to this trail-style marathon. Runners had to navigate slippery sections and uneven terrain, which made the event even more demanding than a standard road marathon. Despite the challenging conditions, the weather stayed dry during the actual race, allowing athletes to focus on their efforts.

The loop around the hill provided a scenic but testing course. Many participants described it as a true trail marathon experience. The natural setting of the Amsterdam Forest created a peaceful atmosphere that perfectly matches the spirit of Sri Chinmoy’s running events.

The Spirit of Self-Transcendence

Sri Chinmoy Marathon events are not only about finishing times. They emphasise inner growth, perseverance, and the joy of going beyond one’s previous limits. The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Amsterdam offers runners a supportive environment where personal bests and cheerful participation are equally celebrated.

The presence of international athletes from Morocco, Egypt, Britain, Norway, and Lithuania added a wonderful multicultural flavour to the day. Their participation shows how Sri Chinmoy’s vision of using sport for self-transcendence reaches people from many different countries.

Results and Photos

Looking Forward to Future Events

The organising team already announced the next challenge in the Amsterdamse Bos: the 50 km and 100 km races scheduled for 30 May 2026. These longer ultra-distance events will once again offer dedicated runners the opportunity to push their limits in the peaceful forest setting.

The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Amsterdam forms an important part of the wider European calendar of Sri Chinmoy running events. Each race contributes to a growing community of athletes who value both physical fitness and inner aspiration.

Why Runners Keep Coming Back

Many participants return year after year because of the friendly atmosphere, professional organisation, and the unique trail experience in the Amsterdam Forest. The combination of challenging terrain, supportive volunteers, and the inspiring philosophy behind the events creates a special race day that goes beyond ordinary competitions.

Whether running a half-marathon, full marathon, or preparing for longer ultras, the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Amsterdam provides an excellent opportunity to test endurance while enjoying the beauty of nature.

Explore More

For more information about sports events, visit the official website: www.srichinmoyraces.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

I Love Singing #248: Sri Chinmoy Songs sung by Purnakama

Posted on by Yatkara

This week features four uplifting Sri Chinmoy Bengali songs from the Alpha and Omega songbook. Over the years, Sri Chinmoy composed music filled with aspiration and gratitude, creating heartfelt melodies that gently illuminate his spiritual path. Because of their simplicity and warmth, the songs continue to speak directly to the inner heart. Additionally, they offer listeners a peaceful doorway into his meditative world.

The performances this week come from his disciple Purnakama, whose sincere and gentle voice brings out the devotional sweetness in every line. Through her recordings, it becomes easy to settle into a calm, meditative mood and appreciate the purity of the music. As a result, whether you choose to sing along or simply listen quietly, these Sri Chinmoy Bengali songs can add a soft, elevating joy to your week.

Below are the six songs featured in this week’s selection:

Songs

  • Charane Tomar Rakhinu Amar Bedanai
  • Dan Karo Dan Karo
  • Dharo Mor Pran Dharo Mor Man Ogo Mor
  • Raji Ami Pale Pale Shunte Tomar Katha

Listen & Learn

You can learn by watching the notation while listening, follow along with the melody, or download both the audio and the PDF scores for your personal practice. Everything is available for free, so you can learn at your own pace and enjoy the music more deeply. Use the links below to easily listen to the audio, download the recordings, and view or download the PDF sheet music for your convenience:

Track1
Track2
Track3
Track4
Song Scores

 

Lyrics:

1. Charane Tomar Rakhinu Amar Bedanai

Charane tomar rakhinu amar
Bedanai bhara pran
Mukti labhile janibo kebal
Tomar kripar dan

– Sri Chinmoy, ‘Alpha and Omega’ songbook


2. Dan Karo Dan Karo

Dan karo dan daro apanare dan karo
Dharo dharo bidhatar amrita pada dharo

– Sri Chinmoy, ‘Alpha and Omega’ songbook


3. Dharo Mor Pran Dharo Mor Man Ogo Mor

Dharo mor pran dharo mor man ogo mor tari majhi
Tomare tushite tomar lagiya hayechi ajike raji

– Sri Chinmoy, ‘Alpha and Omega’ songbook


4. Raji Ami Pale Pale Shunte Tomar Katha

Raji ami pale pale shunte tomar katha
Dhalo dhalo pran gabhire madhur nirabata

– Sri Chinmoy, ‘Alpha and Omega’ songbook

 

For more of Sri Chinmoy’s published songs, visit the official website: www.srichinmoysongs.com.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

© 2026 Sri Chinmoy Centre