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The European run began in Portugal in May. Since then an international team of runners have run across the European continent visiting many schools, local communities and people on the road to spread a message that 'Peace begins with me.'

At Minsk Victory Square. Selected runners release 'doves of peace' to symbolise humanity's aspiration for a more peaceful world.

“This world of ours has everything save and except one thing: peace. And this peace has to start from within. If I have peace of mind, then only can I be of help to you. If you have peace of mind, then only can you be of help to me.”

– Sri Chinmoy

Supporters of the run, including Vice Consul from the British Embassy - Ms Jane Elton and Vice Mayor of Minsk, Mr Igor Viktorovich Yurkevic - hold the Peace Torch.

Runners from over 30 countries participate in the final group photo.

Video from event

Related

• Event report at Peace Run.org

On 20 June, members of Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations celebrated the day with a lunchtime meditation session for staff at UN Headquarters in New York. The Peace Meditation Group also offered a commemorative booklet on aspects of yoga to participants of the “Yoga Session” held that evening on the UN North Lawn, as well as the “Conversation with Yoga Masters” held the following morning in the ECOSOC Chamber.

Photo UNIS - International Day of Yoga, Vienna.

The theme for 2017,  “Yoga for Health”,  was highlighted in many local events worldwide this week  – recognising how yoga could help enable an integral approach to a healthy, balanced lifestyle which promotes long-term good health.

Yoga is an ancient art, combining physical, mental and spiritual practises to attain a union between man and the Ultimate Reality.

Since his arrival in the West in 1964, Sri Chinmoy has written extensively on the virtues of yoga and its capacity to expand the horizons of seekers and aspirants. In the very first edition of Aum Magazine (Sri Chinmoy’s first printed work in the West), Sri Chinmoy wrote about traditional yoga exercises.

“The traditional yogic exercises attempt to place the body in a state of receptivity in order to bring down peace and certain higher forces from above.”

Sri Chinmoy [1]

Sri Chinmoy teaches that through the practise of yoga, we can attain both peace of mind and an awareness of a more illumined consciousness.

“The very aim of practising Yoga is to have peace, peace of mind. When one acquires peace of mind, automatically one possesses indomitable inner strength.”

– Sri Chinmoy [2]

Further links

• Yoga Day at the United Nations
• International Day of Yoga at UN and Elsewhere at Yoga of Sri Chinmoy
• Yoga and the Spiritual Life by Sri Chinmoy at Sri Chinmoy Library

References

[1] Sri Chinmoy, AUM, Vol.1, No..1, 1965

[2] Sri Chinmoy, Realisation-Soul and Manifestation-Goal, 1974.

Runners and team of volunteers before the start.

The race attracts international media attention for the unique personal challenge it presents. The race promoted by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team has an international flavour with runners drawn from Europe, US and New Zealand. In addition to the ten runners, a team of volunteers look after the runners through cooking, medical team and lap counters.

    “We compete not for the sake of defeating others, but in order to bring forward our own capacity. Our best capacity comes forward only when there are other people around us. They inspire us to bring forward our utmost capacity, and we inspire them to bring forward their utmost capacity”

– Sri Chinmoy [1]

Nridhuvi and Harita enjoying the start of the race.

The whole course is on a single concrete block, in Jamaica, Queens, New York.

Photos: Jowan and Utpal.

• Daily updates at 3100 Mile Race
• Daily blog by Utpal at Perfection Journey

The runners this year include:

Vasu Duzhiy Age 51, St. Petersburg, Russia (5 finishes, one win)
Smarana Puntigam 46, Vienna Austria. Seven straight finishes.
Nidhruvi Zimmermann, 51, Vienna, Austria
Nirbhasa Magee, 37, Dublin Ireland
Andrey Andreev, 51, St Petersburg Russia
Sergey Kuzmin, 44, Nizhniy Novgorod Russia
Kaneenika Janakova, Age 47, Bratislava, Slovakia
Ananda-Lahari Zuskin, Age 42, Kosice, Slovakia
Yolanda Holder, 59, Corona,CA USA
Harita Davies, 42, Christchurch New Zealand

Full bios of runners

The exhibit contains several distinct genre of paintings. These include a series of Peace-Bird drawings, originally exhibited at the Carrousel du Louvre, Paris, in 2006. Another series of 9”x12” acrylic paintings were first shown at an exhibition at St. Petersburg State University, Russia, in 2004.

At the opening event, H.E. M. Shameem Ahsan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh in Geneva, welcomed guests from the UN community and said that in “today’s conflict-ridden world, Bangladesh remains committed to and vocal for global peace and harmony”, and thus “deeply values the teachings of Sri Chinmoy, a son of the soil.” Noting that Sri Chinmoy taught that “by sharing goodwill and inspiration with others, and by spreading love and care, the world can be transformed and peace can be achieved,” Ambassador Ahsan said that Sri Chinmoy’s “paintings and music reflect his spiritual journey for the peace and well-being of humanity.”

Kenyan long-distance running champion and peace advocate Tegla Loroupe also spoke at the opening of the exhibit in Geneva, recalling how Sri Chinmoy had inspired her to work for peace. The event was moderated by M. Francesco Pisano, Chief of the Cultural Diplomacy and Outreach Section in Geneva. As Head of the UN Library there, he accepted a gift of a newly published book, Songs of Peace, collecting a number of songs that Sri Chinmoy had composed in dedication to the United Nations, as well as selections from his writings about the world body. Several of his compositions of music for peace were performed at the Geneva event, enhancing the peaceful atmosphere.

At the time of the 2007 exhibit of Paintings for World Peace and Harmony at the UN in New York, a number of world leaders and diplomats expressed their support. Nelson Mandela commented, “Within each of us lies the power to build a world where we respect each other’s beliefs, understand each other’s culture and support each other’s values — a world where hatred, pain and suffering have no place.  This is the great cause of world peace to which my dear friend Sri Chinmoy devoted his life and to which his Paintings for World Harmony at the United Nations are dedicated.” Mikhail Gorbachev commented that “Sri Chinmoy was a zealous supporter of the United Nations. He tried to inspire people who work in this worldwide organization. Therefore, it is remarkable that this gallery is taking place especially at the UN.”

During the 10 day exhibition, members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre offered musical performances to those attending the art exhibition.

Enjoying the music.

Runners in the Anniversary Race organised by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team.

The Peace Mile was one of many Peace Miles located around the world. THe first Peace Mile was dedicated at Battersea in London in 1986. The Peace Miles are part of an initiative called "Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossoms" - places and areas of significance that have been dedicated to the cause of peace.

O dreamers of peace, come.
Let us walk together.
O lovers of peace, come.
Let us run together.
O servers of peace, come.
Let us grow together.

- Sri Chinmoy

Related

• Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossoms at Sri Chinmoy.org
• Race results at Sri Chinmoy Races

One of the concerts in a Tuscan church.

This wandering monk happened to meet the group in Sicily in 2016, 15 months later he was very happy to 'happen by chance' to come across another performance in northern Italy.

Photos: Dhanu (except last photo, Suswara)

Conference organiser, N.H.M. Abu Bakar, Chair of the Department Philosophy, Chittagong University, explained: "Here in Bangladesh, we teach different philosophies--Greek philosophy, European philosophy, British philosophy --yet the philosophy of Sri Chinmoy, a son of Bangladesh, has been neglected from our curriculum!" Professor Bakar and his colleagues are working currently to build a curriculum centred on the philosophy of Sri Chinmoy.

The symposium was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Iftekar Uddin Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Shireen Akter, Pro-Vice Chancellor, and Dr. Sekandar Chowdhury, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Humanities--faculty with Chittagong University. In addition, Prof. Lunthita Duthely, University of Miami, offered opening remarks as well. The conference opening was followed by a traditional floral reception, where the speakers were offered small flower bouquets by Chittagong University philosophy students.

A total of six papers were presented. These included:

• PhD candidate, Kamrun "Moni" Nahar, Dhaka University; "Spiritual Philosophy of Sri Chinmoy"
• Prof. Lunthita M. Duthely, University of Miami, "Sri Chinmoy's The Path of the Heart Meditations in Education: Preliminary Findings"
• Prof. Bakar, Chair of Philosophy, Chittagong University, “God Realization in Sri Chinmoy's Spiritualism”
• Prof. Kamrul Ahsan, Jahangirnagar University, “Sri Chinmoy: A Spiritual Philosopher of Bangladesh"
• Prof Shafiqul Alam, Chittagong University, “Sri Chinmoy and His Philosophy";
• Prof. M. Shafiqul Alam, CU, "Sri Chinmoy and his Philosophy"
• Mr. Sarwar Kamal, "Some Aspects of the Eastern Heart and the Western Mind: A Compatibility Debate in Sri Chinmoy’s Spirituality"
• Miss Shantishri McGrath, "The Philosophy of Sri Chinmoy".

Approximately 200 students and faculty attended the day-long seminar. The seminar consisted of two half-day sessions, which included a combination of paper presentations, discussions, questions, and other commentaries. Interspersed within the presentations were facilitated discussions by Prof. Kamrul Ahsan, Jahangirnagar University, and Professors Lutfor Rahman and Abdul Hai, Chittagong University.

Two spontaneous, but spirited talks, led by Prof. Kamrul Ahsan on “Divine Love”, and another by Kourshed Islam on “Oneness of Individuals, Religions, and Philosophies”, captured the hearts and minds of the Chittagong University students. The program ended with performances of Sri Chinmoy’s music, as well as a quiz, where approximately 40 students won either a book or a musical CD by answering correctly, questions related to the presentations.

According to Prof Bakar, there are at least 10 researchers throughout Bangladesh, from master’s level up to post-doctoral level, currently researching Sri Chinmoy's philosophy. To facilitate this work at Chittagong University, a scholarship fund was created to fund one student researcher who will compete for the opportunity to use the scholarship to research the philosophy of Sri Chinmoy.

Sri Chinmoy was born in Shakpura, Chittagong, East Bengal on 27 August 1931. Then part of India, the region is now part of modern Bangladesh.

Article by: Lunthita M. Duthely

• Report in The Daily Star

This year's event has attracted an international field from across the world - a total of 68 runners.

Runner enjoying the race. Photo: Utpal

The race is supported by a team of volunteers who offer food, medical supporting and counting of laps. Photo: Utpal

 

In Sri Chinmoy's philosophy - self-transcendence plays an important role; Sri Chinmoy felt through self-transcendence we can all make progress, no matter our current capacity.

“Self-transcendence gives us joy in boundless measure. When we transcend ourselves, we do not compete with others. We do not compete with the rest of the world, but at every moment we compete with ourselves. We compete only with our previous achievements. And each time we surpass our previous achievements, we get joy.”

Sri Chinmoy 

• Six/Ten Day Race  with latest results at Sri Chinmoy Races
• Perfection Journey - Utpal blogs from the race with videos and photos.
• Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team video channel Vimeo

The concert, which featured the soul-stirring music and poetry of Sri Chinmoy, including songs he wrote for Bali and Indonesia, was presented in gratitude to Bali and all those who continue to nurture the spiritual and cultural traditions that are at the core of Balinese society and inspire all humanity with their love of peace and oneness. Over 300 members of the Sri Chinmoy Centres International were visiting the island for two weeks on their annual retreat; they had chosen Bali because, while he was alive, Sri Chinmoy loved Bali deeply and travelled there on several occasions.

In a moving opening blessing for the concert, prominent religious leaders representing all the major religious faiths of Bali gathered on stage, each offering a prayer for peace from their tradition. The religious leaders -- representing Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Buddhism and Confucianism -- clasped hands in unity and bowed to the applause of the audience, before they took their seats to enjoy the concert, which was soulfully and charmingly introduced by the Balinese MC, Suhasini Mirah Septiarini.

Of the several musical groups performing, a highlight was the Sri Chinmoy Bhajan Singers, an international vocal and instrumental ensemble that has enchanted audiences in Bali over the years with their devotional songs. One of their presentations was a song written by Sri Chinmoy about Bali. Translated from his native Bengali, the song says: “Bali, Bali, Bali, you make my mind tranquil emptiness-fulness… Only one race and one code of life, the quintessence of Truth’s pinnacle-heights.”

Another of the musical groups, the Sahadeva Ensemble, performed a dynamic, new medley of several songs that Sri Chinmoy wrote in honour of Hanuman, a central figure of the Ramayana epic that is so beloved in Bali. Between musical acts, inspirational poetry by Sri Chinmoy, translated into Bahasa Indonesia, was presented by Narottama Wayan Sidhakarya.

In the powerful conclusion to the concert, over a dozen representatives of the royal families from across Bali and Surakarta were invited to the stage, along with the interfaith leaders and performers, to join in chanting AUM Shanti Shanti Shanti AUM, in the Balinese tradition. Special guests were offered a book of Sri Chinmoy’s poetry as a gift, to take home and cherish some of the evening’s peace.

The political leadership of Bali joined in sharing the message of peace and oneness on other occasions during the group’s visit, when the Office of the Governor of Bali and the Office of the Mayor of Denpasar each hosted an event for the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run, on 31 January and 2 February, respectively, with hundreds of local students participating. Upon presenting the Peace Torch and offering the Torch Bearer Award to Mayor Rai Mantra Dharmawijaya, Salil Wilson, the Executive Director of the Peace Run, read aloud the soulful tribute that Sri Chinmoy had offered to Bali: “Of all the places I have visited, Bali is undoubtedly the best. It has everything: sincerity, simplicity, purity, humility and peace. Is there any divine quality missing here? This place is Heaven on earth.”   Addressing the government officials and international Peace Runners assembled, the Mayor, who is known for his efforts to preserve Balinese spirituality and culture in the face of modernization, commented with a big smile, “Sri Chinmoy is more Balinese than the Balinese!”

Similar appreciation was expressed by Agung Rai, the founder of the ARMA Museum in Ubud, at a reception on 1 February opening an exhibit of Sri Chinmoy’s Paintings for Peace and World-Harmony. Since 2009, the museum has hosted a larger-than-life bronze statue of Sri Chinmoy entitled “Dreamer of World-Peace”, set among the lush green gardens. The ARMA Museum also actively seeks to preserve Balinese culture by offering expert instruction in gamelan music and traditional dance to local children. On any given day, visitors who come to pray and meditate for peace at the statue can also enjoy the intricate rhythms of the gamelan gongs and the children dancing nearby, all in oneness with the vision of peace and harmony that Bali and Sri Chinmoy share and offer to the world.

Photos: Bhashwar

• Peace Run - visits Sudaji, Indonesia Feb 2017.

The London 24 hour race was first started 30 years ago by Ongkar Tony Smith, a follower of Sri Chinmoy and founder of the popular running shop Run and Become.

Sri Chinmoy encouraged ultra-running as a means for people to transcend their previous efforts and go beyond their mental limitations. As Shankara Smith, the race organiser, mentions in the article:

“Sri Chinmoy used to say it’s not mind over matter, but heart over mind. If you can’t silence that mind, then you can’t do it, because your mind will tell you you can’t. Here, you can’t tell yourself it’s you versus that mountain, because there is no mountain. It’s just you versus you.”

The article was originally published in the Guardian and syndicated by The Week.

In the photo chosen by The Week - 'Sri Chinmoy in 2006' - Sri Chinmoy was playing the esraj - an Indian stringed instrument. Sri Chinmoy was also seated beneath his weightlifting equipment. Quite often Sri Chinmoy would honour individuals as part of his "Lifting Up the World with a Oneness-Heart" Award. Before lifting, Sri Chinmoy would play the esraj to create a meditative atmosphere. It is an example of how Sri Chinmoy combined meditation, music, and physical, sporting transcendence.

Related

• Original article at the Guardian
• 24 hour race at Sri Chinmoy Races

222 Meditation Exercises is a compilation of over 200 different techniques from the writings of Sri Chinmoy.

With a wide range of different exercises, there is enough variety for any seeker to find some meditations which work for him.

It also mentions some of the factors which can help make meditation a more integral part of someone's daily life - through cultivating qualities such as aspiration, gratitude and determination.

The exercises can be a good way for people to give a new focus to their own meditation.

 "Inside our heart-garden are all our divine qualities. They are like beautiful and fragrant flowers. First, repeat to yourself, "I am inside my heart-garden." Try to see and feel all the beautiful flowers there. Then say, "I am my heart-garden. All the divine flowers inside my heart-garden are part and parcel of my own self."

- Extract by Sri Chinmoy

Meditation is an individual experience. Through developing a regular personal practise, seekers will find ways of meditation which ultimately work for them. Sri Chinmoy says the secret of meditation is for the seekers own soul to come to the fore and it is our own soul which will teach us how to meditate. However, in the beginning we value different techniques and guided meditations which help us to silence the mind and bring forward the heart and soul.

More info on: The Meditation Book

The book is well laid out, with excellent pictures and a feeling of simplicity and purity which is conducive to giving a good inspiration to our meditation. It is the kind of book which can be dipped into at regular intervals, allowing the reader to choose the exercises which appeal to them.

• Meditation exercises at Sri Chinmoy Centre
• Guided meditation exercises at Radio Sri Chinmoy

On 3rd of January 2017, the all male acapella choir, Oneness-Dream, performed a concert of Sri Chinmoy’s songs in a church of Kalamata.

The group have toured many countries around the world, performing in churches and sacred venues. It was the first time they had the opportunity to perform in a church of the Greek Orthodox church. The concert was warmly received by the local priest and parishioners.

On the 4th of January, members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre performed a play to a packed audience at the theater in Kalamata.

The play, written by Devashishu Torpy, incorporated elements of Greek and Indian culture - combined with excerpts from Sri Chinmoy's own writings - to offer an insight into the shared aspects of the eternal spiritual quest.

On the 5th of January, there was a Songs of the Soul concert in Athens, where groups of international musicians performed the music of Sri Chinmoy, during a two hour concert. Many people attended and were appreciative of the soulful and uplifting music.

In addition to these activities, members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre, on their annual Christmas festival took part in running races, the performance of plays and daily meditations.

Photos: Yatkara Aleksapolskyy and Tejvan Pettinger

• Peace Run in Greece
• Greece Sri Chinmoy Centre
• Play script - "The New Year" - written and directed by Devashishu Torpy
• Play script - "Laosen does the Impossible"  a play by Sumangali Morhall

• Most one handed claps in a minute
• Juggling 3* 5kg balls
• Pulling 10 tonne tractor, plus driver
• Memorising longest sequence of binary numbers in one minute
• Most push ups on raw eggs in a minute.
• Mahiruha's Klein attempt to memorise and recite 843 poems from Sri Chinmoy's poetry book Transcendence-Perfection.

The event was founded by Sri Chinmoy who sought to encourage people to try gain joy from transcending their achievements and capacities.

Video: Devashishu Torpy

Agnikana's group is an all female ensemble who perform the music of Sri Chinmoy. The concerts were well attended and received positive feedback with audience members describing the music as 'beautiful, peaceful and 'connecting with the soul'.

The group played in Edinburgh.

The previous week, the Sri Chinmoy Centre had been part of the Edinburgh Festival of Peace and Spirituality, with this artwork displayed at St John’s Church in Princes Street.

Related

• Agnikana's Group at Radio Sri Chinmoy

The singers are honoured to continue in this spirit. On this occasion the choir started with a poem by Sri Chinmoy, followed by several of his songs dedicated to peace and to the UN, with arrangements by members of the Choir.

Following the choir, the guest of honour, Yogmata Keiko Aikawa, gave the Keynote Address, which was followed by a panel discussion, with questions and answers.

The event served as a continuum to the UN International Day of Yoga, first proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech to the General Assembly in September 2014. The Assembly later unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing that “wider dissemination of information about the benefits of practising yoga would be beneficial for the health of the world population,” and declaring 21 June the International Day. (See link to the resolution and draft showing initial co-sponsors)

See also: Yoga and the UN Culture of Peace Program.pdf

• A/69/L.17    Draft Resolution - Day of Yoga and Co-Sponsors (2014-Nov-07)
• A/69/L.17/Add.1  Added C0-Sponsors for Day of Yoga Draft (2014-Dec-11)
• A/Res/69/131  International Day of Yoga Resolution (Adopted by UN General Assembly 2014-Dec-11)
• Background to International Day of Yoga (excerpts from UNGA Meeting Record A/69/PV.69 and UN Press Release GA/11601)

Concise Summary version

Fuller excerpts and related timeline links

• See Links at UN site:   http://www.un.org/en/ga/69/resolutions.shtml (Resolution and Meeting Record in 6 Languages: Arabic عربي, Chinese 中文, English English, French Français, Russian Русский, Spanish Españo) 
• • Resolution No. A/RES/69/131

    Plenary

    Agenda Item No. 124

    Meeting Record: A/69/PV.69 / Date: 11 Dec 2014 / Press Release: GA/11601/ Vote: without a vote

    Draft: A/69/L.17 & Add.1

    Topic: International Day of Yoga

• With photos of SG-Yoga: http://www.un.org/en/events/yogaday/message.shtml
• SG ST/SM/17867-Obv/1631 Release:-“respect all” : http://www.un.org/press/en/2016/sgsm17867.doc.htm

• United Nations at Sri Chinmoy.org
• UN Web TV

It is the second time Pope Francis has blessed the Torch and offered his good wishes to all those who participate in the international Peace Run.

Salil Wilson, director of the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run also gave the Pope a painting by Sri Chinmoy (founder of the Run) and a volume of selected drawings and messages of peace and love from children on six continents.  The Pope expressed his gratitude for the gifts.

See more at Peace Run.org - Pope Francis blesses the Peace Torch.

Finale of European Peace Run

The meeting with Pope Francis was auspicious given the European Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run had recently finished its 2016 leg in Rome, the Eternal City, just a few days prior.

“Lasting peace must begin within the depths of the individual, and from there spread in ever-widening circles as a dynamic force for world change.”

– Sri Chinmoy

Many local Italian schoolchildren joined the event which sought to promote the ideals of peace and international friendship.

• Peace Run finishes in Rome, Italy

"In long competitions, concentration and mental control are essential, and I believe that is why Sri Chinmoy encourages the practice of endurance sports. It is not only a question of having a healthy body, but also of developing our inner capacities through sport."

"I have been learning more about this each day with my spiritual teacher. Through meditation it is becoming a reality, and I believe every day I am taking another step towards this inner goal. With each race I do, I am more convinced that this philosophy of self-transcendence in sports is helping us to learn to control and go beyond the mind. So we can tell our mind: “Look what I am capable of!”

"Occasionally, my mind was still invaded by some negative thoughts, but as soon as I became aware of them, I let them burst like balloons. I did not dwell on them. I prayed, meditated and sang in silence all the time. I had memorized a series of aphorisms to recite during the crossing, but I forgot most of them. So I sang the same five mantric songs over and over again. To relieve my mental tension, sometimes I remembered some jokes or some funny incidents that had happened in my life. I thought of people mimicking others and other funny moments. I did everything I could to entertain myself a little and eventually I even laughed. All of those things made my crossing more pleasant."

***

"Up to the fourth hour, my mind had been a little agitated at times, but when the barrier of four hours was broken, things got better. My mind had adapted to the situation and started to calm down. It seemed as though the swimming became more defined, and I was better able to maintain a peaceful meditative state for longer periods of time. The time had come to appreciate the English Channel crossing even more. During the rest of the crossing, I tried to keep just a few thoughts in my mind. One of them was: “I will not give up. I will not give up. I came here to cross the English Channel and I will not leave it except on the French coast!”

***

"The mental control I needed during the second half of the crossing was extreme. I believe that, were it not for the meditation that I had been practicing for eight years, I would not have been able to achieve it, at least not on my first attempt. It is startling to remember how vulnerable I felt at times during the swim. Being in the middle of the English Channel with the waves of the sea, unable to see anything around me, not knowing where I was, felt frightening. When I read Sri Chinmoy’s line about the English Channel frightening the human body and puzzling the human mind, I did not quite comprehend what he meant, but now I really started to understand."

Related

• Adriano's new book at Sri Chinmoy Races

Tavishi Matthews from Australia, ran all four months in the US relay leg. The teams of runners on the Peace Run are usually comprised of individuals from all other the world, who come in their own free time to be part of this unique event.

Sri Chinmoy (in the background of the picture) founded the run in 1987, he hoped it would prove a dynamic vehicle for bringing people together from different nationalities and cultures.

At the launch of the Peace Run in 1987 with Sri Chinmoy (holding torch), Narada Michael Walden and Clarence Clemmons.

Whilst the US run has finished for 2016, the Peace Run continues in other parts of the world.

In the Ukraine, the European Peace Run continues its journey across the continent, aiming to finish in Milan Italy later this year.

A lone runner in Australia takes the Peace Torch across a straight flat round during their Peace Run.

In Iceland a local Peace Run involves school children from Reykjavík, who on this day run under a giant rainbow.

“This world has everything

Save and except one thing,

Peace,

And this peace has to blossom

From within.”

– Sri Chinmoy [source]

• Peace Run.org

After finishing the race, Yuri Trostenyuk expressed his great joy and gratitude for completing the race. He talked about the inner significance of the race:

“We are not just running on a concrete sidewalk.  We are not on a path that leads to wealth and fame.  This path leads us to the depths of our hearts.  The place where God lives within us.  Where it is his home.  I was there.  There is everything there in order to be happy.”

In an epic race, Yuri finished in a time of 46 days +01:10:25 - averaging 67 miles / 108.346 km per day.

In 2015, Mr Aalto set the current all-time record for 3100 miles in a blistering speed of 40 days +09 hours. However, perhaps suffering from the effects of last years effort, Asprihanal struggled in the early parts of this years race, but the flying Finn finished in a flurry - covering an average of 78.61 miles over the final four days to push Yuri all the way to the finish.

Other runners Atmavir Petr Spacil and Vasu Duzhiy are also close behind and set to finish very soon. In the womens race Kaneenika Janakova and Surasa Mairer are also edging closer to the magic 3100 mile mark.

• 3100 Mile race at Sri Chinmoy Races
• Photos of finish by Jowan
• Whole world is my heart at Perfection Journey