Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series

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Venues around Sydney

A 4-race series at popular Sydney running venues

About the event

The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team presents a series of 4 events at popular running venues around Sydney throughout the year, for your fitness, enjoyment and self-transcendence.

Each event features 3 distances:

* Short (4km or 5km)
* Medium (7km or 10km)
* Longer (Half-Marathon)

In addition, at the Royal National Park, a full Marathon (42.2km) is offered. All races start in waves.

Series Pass

For the best value – and your best satisfaction! – enter all 4 events of the Series, for a special discount price. There are 3 Series passes available:

* Short Distance Series – 4 races of 4km or 5km – $47;
• Medium Distance Series – 4 races of 7km or 10km – $95;
• Longer Distance Series – 4 Half-Marathons (21.1km) – $110.

With a Series Pass, you may elect to switch distances for any individual race.

Series Passes are available until 5pm Friday 29 March.

Awards are presented in the following categories:

Short Distance (4km or 5km)
Boys and Girls Under 13, 1st to 3rd
Boys and Girls Under 17, 1st to 3rd
Male and Female 17 and Over, 1st to 3rd

Middle (7km or 10km), Longer Distance (14km or Half-Marathon) and Marathon (42.2km)
Male and Female Under 50, 1st to 7th
Male and Female 50-59, 1st to 3rd
Male and Female 60-69, 1st to 2nd
Male and Female 70 and Over, 1st

Events

Short (4km or 5km)

    • 8am (7am at Royal NP)
    • $13 online until 5pm Friday prior
    • $20 on the day

Middle (7km or 10km)

    • 8am (7am at Royal NP)
    • $27 online until 5pm Friday prior
    • $40 on the day

Longer (14km or Half-Marathon)

    • 8am (7am at Royal NP)
    • $31 online until 5pm Friday prior
    • $50 on the day

Marathon (Royal National Park only)

    • 6am
    • $47 online until 5pm Friday prior
    • $70 on the day

Contact

Prachar Stegemann
0404 071 327
Send Email

Upcoming Races

Race 1: 1 April

2024 Series, race 1: Sri Chinmoy Centennial Park Half-Marathon, 7km & 4km cross-country

Opening the Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series in 2024, step out onto the beautiful tracks and fields of Centennial Park on EASTER MONDAY for a scenic triple-lap Half-Marathon, a 1-lap 7km or 4km options for a cross-country race in the heart of the city. See why this is the most popular venue for Sri Chinmoy Races in Sydney.

The start & finish area is alongside the McKay Sports Ground, near the Robertson Rd Gates entrance to Centennial Park. Park anywhere along Grand Drive.

Race number bibs are collected on the morning of the race, from 7am till 7.50am. On the day entries are also available from 7am to 7.50am at the race venue.

Enter online.

Half-Marathon & 7km View course map »
Race 2: 9 June

2024 Series, race 2: Sri Chinmoy Iron Cove Half-Marathon, 7km & 4km

Even if you’ve raced this course many times before, there’s always a buzz about the Iron Cove events with such a great crowd all gathered for the same purpose: sheer enjoyment!

Park at the end of Glover St, Lilyfield. On-the-day registration opens at 7am, closing at 7.50am.

Enter online.

Half-Marathon View course map »
Race 3: 7 July

2024 Series, race 3: Sri Chinmoy Dolls Point Half-Marathon, 10km & 5km

A suite of classic road race distances: 5km, 10km and a Half-Marathon make this annual event a true festival of running. The courses are scenic loops – flat for the most part, with a challenging rise over the spectacular Captain Cook Bridge crossing the Georges River. Relax post-race and enjoy the happy ambience of Peter Depena Reserve, alongside Botany Bay.

Park off Russell Ave, Dolls Point. Number collection at Peter Depena Reserve from 7am. Races start from 8am.

Enter online.

Half-Marathon, 10km & 5km View course map »
Race 4: 3 November

2024 Series, race 4: Sri Chinmoy Royal National Park MARATHON, Half-Marathon, 10km & 5km Trail Runs

The Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series goes bush for the Series Finale, to the sublime Royal National Park south of the city. Immerse yourself in pristine forest on a lovely trail run. Because you’ll want to enjoy this magical realm to the max, a full MARATHON joins the Half-Marathon, 10km and 5km for a full suite of classic distances.

The start/finish and parking is near Fig Tree Flat (also known as Willow Tree Flat), past Audley. National Park admission fee of $12 per vehicle applies. Alternatively, take our shuttle van from Loftus Station for $10 return, departing regularly from 5.25am.

NOTE EARLIER START TIMES: On-the-day race number collection opens at 5.30am and closes at 6.55am. The MARATHON starts at 6am, with other distances starting from 7am.

Enter online.

MARATHON & Half-Marathon View course map »
10km & 5km View course map »

Course records

Iron Cove

Distance Age Category Male Time Date Female Time Date
4 km Under 13 Josh O'Connell 14:16 25/2/2018 Sarah Playford 16:00 10/6/2012
4 km Under 17 Jarrod Biczo 13:46 10/6/2012 Caitlin Bickerton 16:18 27/2/2011
4 km 17 and Over Neill Robbie 12:36 16/12/2012 Louise Graham 15:31 25/9/2022
7 km Under 50 Jake Stollery 22:58 20/10/2013 Lauren Hamilton 25:06 24/5/2015
7 km 50 - 59 Richard Sarkies 25:24 11/9/2016 Raewyn Harlock 29:18 16/12/2012
7 km 60 - 69 David Riches 28:05 12/12/2021 Raewyn Harlock 30:42 25/9/2022
7 km 70 and Over David Iverarch 32:06 11/9/2016 Mieke Masselos 38:08 11/6/2023
14 km Under 50 Oliver Cashman 48:40 6/12/2020 Sandi Rabie 57:10 10/3/2013
14 km 50 - 59 David Riches 51:43 13/12/2015 Raewyn Harlock 56:25 15/12/2013
14 km 60 - 69 Bill Lonsdale 1:01:15 10/6/2012 Raewyn Harlock 1:07:29 12/12/2021
14 km 70 and Over David Iverarch 1:06:55 18/12/16 Anne Elizabeth Boyd 1:38:00 8/12/2019
Half-Marathon Under 50 Brendan Fink 1:12:39 11/6/2023 Elizabeth Pittaway 1:25:53 18/10/2015
Half-Marathon 50 - 59 Philip Balnave 1:20:47 9/6/2019 Raewyn Harlock 1:28:57 14/10/2012
Half-Marathon 60 - 69 Gary Dalton 1:27:29 24/5/2015 Raewyn Harlock 1:41:52 11/6/2023
Half-Marathon 70 and Over David Iverach 1:52:37 25/9/2022 Anne Elizabeth Boyd 2:32:36 11/6/2023

 

Centennial Park

Distance Age Category Male Time Date Female Time Date
4 km Under 13 Oliver White 14:14 2/4/2018 Taylor Porter 15:28 9/6/2013
4 km Under 17 Max Russell 12:59 5/4/2021 Natasha Ward 14:32 18/10/2020
4 km 17 and Over Ali Najem 12:40 5/4/2021 Lisa Biffin 15:09 6/4/2015
7 km Under 50 Edward Fernon 23:16 1/4/2013 Lucy Starrat 25:27 24/3/2008
7 km 50 - 59 Richard Sarkies 25:48 23/10/2016 Louise Arnott 29:41 26/6/2017
7 km 60 - 69 Witold Krajewski 28:47 11/9/2011 Kate Rowe 34:54 9/6/2013
7 km 70 and Over David Iverarch 32:14 12/6/2016 Kerry Bray 41:01 21/4/2014
14 km Under 50 Ross Johnson 48:12 11/12/2011 Laura James 57:24 25/11/2012
14 km 50 - 59 Keith Bateman 50:58 23/2/2014 Raewyn Harlock 1:01:53 11/12/2011
14 km 60 - 69 Gary Dalton 59:42 22/2/2015 Mary Sheehan 1:13:33 22/10/2017
14 km 70 and Over David Iverarch 1:10:06 22/10/2017 Anne Elizabeth Boyd 1:40:35 18/10/2020
Half-Marathon Under 50 Matthew Cox 1:08:46 7/6/2015 Rebecca Brown 1:21:20 18/10/2020
Half-Marathon 50 - 59 Keith Bateman 1:16:21 29/7/2012 Raewyn Harlock 1:33:24 25/3/2012
Half-Marathon 60 - 69 Victor Correa 1:30:51 28/3/2016 Raewyn Harlock 1:42:53 2/4/2023
Half-Marathon 70 and Over David Iverach 1:47:06 18/10/2020      

 

Dolls Point

Distance Age Category Male Time Date Female Time Date
5 km Under 13  Xavier Zahra 18:36 9/7/2023 Alexandra Field 18:26 15/7/2018
5 km Under 17 Blake Lampert 17:20 8/7/2012 Taylor Porter 19:49 12/7/2015
5 km 17 and Over Jake Stollery 15:51 14/7/2013 Fiona Reid 18:09 11/7/2010
10 km Under 50 Robbie Neill 33:28 10/7/2011 Noni Cooper 37:52 13/7/2014
10 km 50 - 59 Ian Cameron 37:10 8/7/2012 Sharon Lane 46:24 8/7/2012
10 km 60 - 69 Witold Krajewski 41:01 10/7/2011 Helen Stanger 46:55 10/7/2011
10 km 70 and Over David Iverarch 49:59 15/7/2018 Mieke Masselos 55:03 9/7/2023
Half-Marathon Under 50 Ben Bell 1:13:06 13/7/2014 Magda Karimali-Poulos 1:22:21 12/7/2009
Half-Marathon 50 - 59 David Riches 1:20:16 8/7/2012 Catherine Davenport 1:46:21 14/7/2013
Half-Marathon 60 - 69 Victor Correa 1:32:01 15/7/2018 Mary Sheehan 1:48:00 16/7/2017
Half-Marathon 70 and Over Arthur Huxtable 1:57:49 16/7/2017 Brigid Quinn 1:55:14 14/7/2014
Marathon Under 50 Danny Burgess 2:41:08 13/7/2014 Natasha Hjerrild 3:31:30 12/7/2015
Marathon 50 - 59 Glenn Gielissen 3:14:46 12/7/2015 Anne Newman 3:51:03 13/7/2014
Marathon 60 - 69 Ray James 3:28:48 13/7/2014      
Marathon 70 and Over            

 

Royal National Park

Distance Age Category Male Time Date Female Time Date
5 km Under 13 Oliver Fyfe 20:36 19/11/2023 Isabella Mardini 23:21 4/5/2014
5 km Under 17 Marc Mardini 20:33 7/5/2017 Isabella Mardini 23:36 6/5/2018
5 km 17 and Over Keith Bateman 17:13 4/5/2014 Heidi Jones 21:14 4/5/2014
10 km Under 50 James Hauptmann 36:39 7/5/2017 Amy Carrad 41:00 1/5/2016
10 km 50 - 59 Matt Sheather 41:40 5/5/2019 Zoe Melling 49:02 2/5/2021
10 km 60 - 69 Christopher Bowern 46:43 12/10/2014 Mary Sheehan 51:23 7/5/2017
10 km 70 and Over David Iverarch 49:31 7/5/2017 Mieke Masselos 1:00:07 19/11/2023
Half-Marathon Under 50 Jake Stollery 1:19:02 4/5/2014 Helena Hayes 1:28:58 19/11/2023
Half-Marathon 50 - 59 Philip Balnave 1:25:55 6/5/2018 Raewyn Harlock 1:41:03 5/5/2019
Half-Marathon 60 - 69 Craig Saphin 1:35:07 5/5/2019 Raewyn Harlock 1:50:29 8/5/2022
Half-Marathon 70 and Over Rod Rainey 1:58:12 6/5/2018      
Marathon Under 50 Ian Gallagher 2:47:16 4/5/2014 Tilly Fischer 3:16:49 8/5/2022
Marathon 50 - 59 Philip Balnave 3:01:56 7/5/2017 Sonia McDermott 3:41:55 8/5/2022
Marathon 60 - 69 David Campbell 4:07:07 19/11/2023 Rita Webster 4:42:59 8/5/2022
Marathon 70 and Over Ray James 5:28:57 5/5/2019      

 

Mirambeena

Distance Age Category Male Time Date Female Time Date
2 miles Under 13 Max Jameson 13:18 12/6/2011 Taylor Porter 12:32 3/8/2014
2 miles Under 17 Benjamin Moss 12:03 12/6/2011 Julieann Tully 16:09 26/2/2017
2 miles 17 and Over Eddie Kumsuv 11:36 19/2/2012 Kathy Clarke 16:08 19/2/2012
8 km Under 50 Jonathan Heron 30:05 23/5/2010 Isabelle Crouche 31:38 19/2/2012
8 km 50 - 59 Frank Zeichner 30:36 23/5/2010 Hollee James 39:22 9/9/2018
8 km 60 - 69 Kieron Blackmore 33:12 26/2/2017 Gina Jessop 44:47 26/2/2017
8 km 70 and Over David Iverarch 39:29 9/9/2018      
16 km Under 50 Ross Johnson 55:59 19/2/2012 Louise Noble 1:04:38 26/2/2017
16 km 50 - 59 Philip Balnave 1:01:54 9/9/2018 Tracey O'Donnell 1:25:03 26/2/2017
16 km 60 - 69 Dave Byrnes 1:08:26 12/6/2011 Helen Stanger 1:19:06 19/2/2012
16 km 70 and Over            

 

Cooks River

Distance Age Category Male Time Date Female Time Date
4 km Under 13 Hayden Brown 16:01 27/11/2011 Maddison Zahra 19:53 12/9/2010
4 km Under 17 Brad Fraser 14:59 21/6/2009 Maddison Zahra 19:00 27/11/2011
4 km 17 and Over Shaun Hardy 14:49 27/11/2011 Courtney Sanford 15:17 27/11/2011
8 km Under 50 Victor Correa 29:16 27/11/2011 Natalie Malligan 33:29 6/5/2012
8 km 50 - 59 Keith Bateman 27:15 27/11/2011 Pennie Psaltis 39:53 21/6/2009
8 km 60 - 69 Rob Connolley 34:24 21/6/2009 Jo Rickards 41:53 12/9/2010
8 km 70 and Over Edward McMaster 57:40 6/5/2012      
16 km Under 50 Pete Conway 57:37 12/9/2010 Kathryn Parkinson 1:07:18 21/6/2009
16 km 50 - 59 Jicton Correa 1:05:12 6/5/2012 Raewyn Harlock 1:06:57 6/5/2012
16 km 60 - 69 Witold Krajewski 1:08:45 27/11/2011 Merridy O'Donnell 1:29:02 6/5/2012
16 km 70 and Over            

 

Prospect Creek

Distance Age Category Male Time Date Female Time Date
6 km Under 13 Hayden Brown 26:01 31/7/2011 Sianna Steele 26:46 9/9/2012
6 km Under 17 Will Chaffey 23:35 3/8/2008 Audrey Trenear-Hall 26:31 3/8/2008
6 km 17 and Over Adam Horder 22:08 31/7/2011 Eileen Cantwell 25:09 9/9/2012
12 km Under 50 Lee Cook 42:19 31/7/2011 Lorna White 51:03 31/7/2011
12 km 50 - 59 David Riches 45:49 31/7/2011 Merridy O'Donnell 1:05:19 31/7/2011
12 km 60 - 69 Brian Radburn 53:14 9/9/2012 Renee Reynolds 1:12:18 31/7/2011
12 km 70 and Over            
24 km Under 50 Brendan Davies 1:28:02 9/9/2012 Athene Chariot 1:46:02 31/7/2011
24 km 50 - 59 John Dawlings 1:47:06 31/7/2011 Annie Tobey 2:15:57 9/9/2012
24 km 60 - 69 Sid Astbury 2:05:02 31/7/2011      
24 km 70 and Over            

 

Previous Results

  • 2023 Nov 19th
    Sri Chinmoy Royal National Park Trail Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10km & 5km Runs, Sunday 19 November 2023

    Due to works along the event route of Lady Carrington Drive, this race was forcibly postponed twice – from May, to July, and then to November. Though by accident, the first time this race has been staged outside of the Winter months, proved a happy and popular outcome. With more daylight hours enabling an earlier start, the shaded course protected from the full impact of the sun, the time spent upgrading the track surface proving very well worth the effort, runners were able to enjoy the full panoply of Nature at ease – constant quadraphonic birdsong amidst a cathedral of green, lyre birds skitting alongside the runners, even a diamond python sunning itself across the full length of the path.

    Only rarely is the Marathon here run in under 3 hours, yet today race winner Luke Jeffrey (2:58:23) and 2nd placed Peter Richardson (2:59:09) both claimed that feat, while in the women’s Marathon, Sarah Hammer won in 3:35:46, from Fiona Mellink’s 3:48:01. Leanne McLaughlan took out the Female 50-59 with 4:39:27, and the redoubtable Jane Trumper, the F60-69 in 5:18:31. Jeremy Smith claimed the M50-59 with his 3:43:57, David Campbell won a tight race in the M60-69 in 4:07:07 from Leon Barnard’s 4:08:39; and the heroic Ray James took out the M70+ with 6:20:03.

    Helena Hayes ran the race of the day, setting a new women’s record in the Half-Marathon of 1:28:58, placing her 9th outright. The Half-Marathon attracted the largest field and greatest depth, in speed, characters and diversity. Helena’s finished 6 and a half minutes clear of 2nd placed Georgina Beech in 1:35:17, with Monique Andrea claiming 3rd in 1:40:16. Nadine Sermon was fastest in the F50-59 with 2:02:30; while Jennifer Rankine took out the F60-69 in 2:30:31.

    Jonah Newton won the men’s Half-Marathon in an excellent 1:20:55, from Ilya Levchenko’s 1:22:15, ahead of a bunch of 4 runners all within half a minute of each other – Chris Lightfoot, Jack Beckinsale, Dean McNamara and Keith Hong all clocking 1:23 and change. Steve Temmo won the M50-59 with 1:35:49; and Zhang Quang the M60-69 in 1:40:57.

    Winning the 10km women’s race today in 47:11, saw Eileen Cantwell claim the overall Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series pointscore championship, having placed in the top 3 in all 5 races of the Series. Next home was Natasha Hammond in 49:56, ahead of Joanne Rolland’s 50:35. Jo Tornatore-Gallo won the F50-59 in 57:27; though Joan Feeney in the F60-69 was ahead in 56:13; and the irrepressible Mieke Masselos won the F70+ in 1:00:07, winning her 5th race of the Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series for 2023 and thus taking the 70+ crown with a perfect 50 pointscore.

    Angus Pearson was the only runner home in under 40 minutes on the demanding 10km course, winning the men’s race in 39:49, from 2nd placed David Winning’s 43:18 and 3rd Chris Vallely with 43:47. Stephen Mitchell claimed the M50-59 main award with 52:12; though Stephen was eclipsed by Michael Wilding taking home the M60-69 prize in 47:02; while a stellar field 5 gentleman athletes tackled the M70+, with Rob Ellis winning in 49:36, completing his 4th win in as many starts in the Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series this year – though it was the consistent David Iverach who claimed the Series award, his 52:36 earning another 2nd placing today and with 5 races completed, enough points to hold off Rob in the pointscore championship.

    Regan Burnett (M17+) won the 5km race in 20:21 – but he had a job to hold off the fast-finishing Oliver Fyfe, whose 20:36 eclipsed his own course record for Boys Under 13.  Next home, Taylor Mulhere was also running in the Boys Under 13, ahead of Boys Under 17 winner Rafi Tudjman in 22:25.

    The Girls Under 13 winner, Sybil Mulhere won the women’s race outright in 27:34, just ahead of F17+ winner and 2nd placegetter, Cailie Challenor (27:38) and Rada Mulhere (27:39).

  • 2023 Nov 5th
    Sri Chinmoy Iron Cove 14km, 7km & 4km Runs, Sunday 5 November 2023

    “You’ve got to be in it, to win it.” The first prize along the way to the finish line, is the starting line!

    There’s beauty everywhere, if you have the eye to see; and joy, with the heart to feel.

    Hopefully all who chose to stay at home in preference to the bounteous beauty and joy of running at Iron Cove amidst a morning laden with atmosphere and sparkling with surprises, found other ways and means to enrich and fulfill themselves, for a record high number of “no-shows” might otherwise indicate some Sydney runners could be turning a bit soft, inclined towards a cozy cushion at the suggestion of rain.

    Yes there was some rain – intermingled with so much else, like a recurring motif in a symphony of goodies. While a few showers certainly dampened the grass and emboldened some puddles along the way, they served not to close the door, but to fling it wide open to the deeper enjoyment and appreciation of the whole experience.

    Special kudos to those wise souls who, having missed the online entry deadline, sallied forth under teeming clouds to enter on the morning, by which time a good drenching was a near certainty.

    For all the winners, don’t just turn to the top few lines of the results – scan from top to bottom of each page, and offer a silent round of applause for each and every name, every rank itself a winner’s podium.

  • 2023 Jul 9th
    Sri Chinmoy Dolls Point Half-Marathon, 10km & 5km Runs, Sunday 9 July 2023

    This time one year ago, we were attempting to process and describe the worst conditions any of us had ever experienced at a running event. By contrast, the 2023 Sri Chinmoy Dolls Point races served up an occasion devoid of extremities, a middle-of-the-road event on a reasonably fine day (with moderate winds not reaching the levels forecast), witnessing a medium-sized field returning respectable times, with moderately enthusiastic participants and supporters enjoying quite good pancakes at the finish of it all. What a relief! Always on the look out for the sensational, the phenomenal, the extraordinary – there are times when we must appreciate the median, the average and the workaday, for such occasions provide the screen on which is projected life’s more vivid colours, the backdrop against which our more intense dramas are enacted. So, for today, let’s be grateful, and celebrate in polite, muted tones!

    This is not to say that today was without its impressive peaks – 2 course records were eclipsed, many runners achieved personal bests including several first-time Half-Marathon finishers – congratulations to all! – AND the fried bananas atop the pancakes were an exceptional treat.

    The 5km race saw a spectacular new Boys Under 13 course record set by the flying Xavier Zahra with his 18:36 placing 2nd overall behind Male 17 and Over winner, Dustin Litster’s 17:30. Melody Song was fastest of the Girls Under 13s with 29:07, while Alissa Barker took out the Female 17 and Over category in 23:46.

    10km is one of the world’s standard favourite road racing distances, and this one provides the added challenge of the climb in both directions over the imposing Captain Cook Bridge. Mieke Masselos continued her record-shattering year with an impressive new course best in the Female 70 and Over category of 55:03. Doris Mitchell won the F60-69s with 58:34, and Rita Kazzi cruised home with the F50-59 main prize in 51:20. Winner of the women’s race in the Female Under 50 was Jessica Carroll, whose winning 42:00 saw her cross the line a full 2 and a half minutes clear of 2nd placed Eileen Cantwell’s 44:33, with Natasha Hammond taking 3rd in 45:19.

    Meanwhile, Craig Gilbertson ran a similarly solo effort in the Men’s race to win the Male Under 50s by 2 minutes in 35:29, from Adam Reid’s 37:38 for 2nd, with Kevin Kuechler in 41:36 for 3rd. Dan Condon took out the M50-59s with 47:13; Grant Nicholls the M60-69 in 46:06; and a resurgent Rob Ellis the Male 70 and Over with a sharp 50:36.

    The largest field of the morning toed the line for the longest distance, with 110 runners fronting for the 21.1km Half-Marathon. Martin Vu led from the get-go and never looked back, forging into the wind to set a shining example for the field with a fine 1:20:46, from Henry Brunskill’s 1:24:09, with Declan McNerney filling out the podium places in 1:28:37. Christine Wang played the same role to the women’s field, winning by a similar margin, her 1:36:12 victory coming ahead of Morgan Yuen’s 2nd-placed 1:40:08, and Jennifer Lowry, in 1:40:55 taking 3rd.

    The M50-59 category boasted half the numbers of the Under 50 category, an extraordinary showing demonstrating running’s ever-increasing popularity with the so-called “veteran” age groups. Matthew Beech took the title in this cohort with 1:30:49 (placing him 4th outright), from Martin Cosby’s 1:33:39 and 3rd placed Jai Yet Yuen in 1:35:47. The F50-59 saw Shannon Whiteley take the win with a fine 1:46:39, from Bron Evans’ 1:53:18 and Barbara Hemingway in 3rd with 2:06:42. Gregory Leamon claimed the M60-69’s in 1:51:56.

  • 2023 Jun 11th
    Sri Chinmoy Iron Cove Half-Marathon, 7km & 4km Runs, Sunday 11 June 2023

    Musings from inside the race, from Susan Marshall, #230…

    Of all the many steps we take during a race, the one we think of most while running is the one that takes us over the finish. Halfway through today’s half-marathon, my mind piped up with its tired yet constant measuring of how far that finish line was. It’s an old game: the inner squabble between the mind that begs us to let up, and something else – that calls us to run further and faster than before. This is the ironic joy and victory of overcoming the pain and quelling down your own cries of resistance.

    We all have a way of whiling away the time while the body does its thing. Being conscious that this was the best thing I would do all day, I tried not to just wish it were over. Afterwards, settled and in a comfortable place, our mind returns to these so-called challenges, marveling in them, poring over the highs and lows, delighting in the joy of our own self-conquest and laughing at the revelation of our thoughts’ impermanence.

    I reminded myself that when it was over, I would look back at each moment, searching each one for an experience of consciousness, awareness, hope, enthusiasm and happiness: inner qualities that begin to bloom in our efforts to go beyond. Qualities that would impress themselves onto my life, reshaping me. I opened myself to the experience, engaging with my love of running. I asked myself, why does it make me so happy? I tried to meditate, and become that part of myself that wants to do and grow, and throw itself into the pursuit of unknown experience, beyond what we have already seen and felt.

    Self-transcendence brings the awareness of infinite possibility. Once we connect with its inspiration, our ego disappears in a vast and inviting necessity of what more we can become. The petty and mundane hardships of life seem inconsequential battles rendered irrelevant under the greater task of discovering and revealing the great domains of truth inside us. Perhaps this is a vastly overstated account of running round a cove. But just as one longed-for moment of crossing a finish line can inspire months of training, so a single moment within a race can embody the purpose of the pursuit.

    After decades of Sri Chinmoy races at Iron Cove, race records are rare indeed – yet today uncorked several incredible record-breaking performances –

    * Half-Marathon all-comers record: Brendan Fink, 1:12:39
    * Half-Marathon, Female 70 and Over: Anne Elizabeth Boyd, 2:32:36
    * Half-Marathon, Female 60-69: Raewyn Harlock, 1:41:52
    * 7km, Female 70 and Over: Mieke Masselos, 38:08

    Congratulations to all involved with this historic occasion.