Sri Chinmoy in 24 Hour Cycle Race
Sri Chinmoy is a spiritual teacher who placed great emphasis on the benefits of sport and individual self-transcendence. In the 1970s Sri Chinmoy founded the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team which organises a range of running races from 2 mile races, to marathons, multiday races and the 3100 Mile Race – the longest certified race in the world.
As well as running, members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre take part in cycling, triathlon, swimming and other sporting events. The Sri Chinmoy Cycling team was formed in the 1970s for those who took part in cycling races in the UK, US and in Europe.
In the late 1970s Sri Chinmoy and many of his students took part in the Pepsi 24 hour cycle challenge in Central Park, New York. In the first year, Ashrita Furman finished 3rd completed 405 miles. He later went on to break many Guinness world records. Shortly after, Sri Chinmoy took up long distance running, completing several marathons with a best time of 3 54 minutes aged 50. In his youth he was a champion sprinter and later in life took up weightlifting after a knee injury curtailed his running career.
The Sri Chinmoy Cycling team has competed in UK road races, cyclo cross and UK time trials.
Tejvan Pettinger finished 4th in the 2005 National 100 mile Time trial championship. He has finished 7th in the 2006 and 2007 National hill climb championship.
Philosophy of Self Transcendence.
“Continue, continue and continue,
And all the time try to transcend
Your previous limits.”
- Sri Chinmoy
Self Transcendence is the attempt to improve ourselves and break our previous limitations and achievements. With self-transcendence we are primarily competing against ourselves and not against others. Self transcendence requires a combination of outer and inner reserves. As well as relying on physical strength we try to tap our inner capacity which helps us to do more. True self-transcendence involves going beyond the limitations our mind often places on ourselves.
Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team at Sri Chinmoy Races
