September 12th, 2010, New York. A small but able field of athletes gathered this Sunday at scenic Lake Welch for a 1-kilometer swim, followed by a 10-kilometer run in Harriman State Park.
Sponsored by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, the 2010 Self-Transcendence Swim-Run was the second race of its kind and promises to become an annual edition. The driving force behind the event is Sri Chinmoy’s message of oneness, peace, and self-transcendence. In his words
“When I swim in the silence-sea, I see the blossoming of my heart’s illumination-sun.”
Connecting sports to inner awakening, Sri Chinmoy saw athletics as a means to kindle dynamism and enthusiasm, and to reach with the deeper aspects of our being.
In contrast to the Self-Transcendence 6- and 10-Day Races and the 3,100-Mile Race, the Self-Transcendence Swim-Run offers non-extreme athletes a way to transcend and challenge themselves as well.
The first male finisher was Shu Yagi, 37, from Harrison, NY in 1:01:10. The first female finisher was Lori Anderson, 25, from Binghamton, NY, for her second victory for the Swim-Run in 1:06:46. The first relay team, a female-male duo, was Kristin Pierce, 30 (swimmer), from Hoboken, NJ, and Kurt Rogers, 23 (runner), from Riverdale, NJ, winning the relay victory in 59:30.
Stay tuned for next year's the race on Sunday, September 11, again at Lake Welch Beach, Harriman State Park. For upcoming information please visit us.srichinmoyraces.org.
