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A new course record 14:01 for Kevin Campbell at the Scottish 5km Road championship.

Stefanie Tucker takes the women’s title

Another Master’s record for Falkirk’s Fiona Matheson.

Full results HERE

RACE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDING DRONE FOOTAGE : RACE VIDEO HIGHLIGHT

Kevin Campbell of Cambuslang took the men’s Scottish Athletics 5km road title in the annual Sri Chinmoy event at Silverknowes, Edinburgh, with his fellow club member Stefanie Tucker making it a Cambuslang double in taking the women’s title.

Pre-race rain relented just before the start, and minimal wind off the Firth of Forth led to fast times.

A small group set a good early pace, but Campbell then increased the pace, reaching the 3 km mark comfortably in front. Ben Macmillan (Falkirk) was in second, a few seconds back with a small group featuring Aberdeen’s Sean Chalmers, Cambuslang’s Callum Tharme, James Alexander (Garscube) and Robbie Ferguson (Kilbarchan) a few yards back.

Campbell continued to push the pace and was a clear winner, just missing the 14-minute barrier in 14.01. Macmillan took second in 14:08 with Chalmers in 14:12, repeating his 3rd place from 2025.

Alexander, in 5th with 14:17 took the Scottish U/20 title in a new U/20 course record of 14:17.

In the women's race, Cambuslang’s Stefanie Tucker was a clear leader at 3km. Central’s Grace Whelan, Kirsty Walker (Edinburgh AC, and Gala Harriers’ Katie Rourke were a few seconds back, followed by Lasswade’s Amy Franklin.

Tucker also stayed strong in the final 2 km to achieve her goal of dipping under 16 minutes in 15:57.

Whelan took second in 16:12, with Rourke taking the bronze medal in 16:16.

Charlotte Rose-Burton, from Edinburgh University, took the Scottish women's under-20 title in 17:12.

In the Masters Category, there was another outstanding run from Falkirk’s Fiona Matheson. She took advantage of the ideal conditions to lower the British Female V65 5km road best performance to 18:58. (gun time) This was only a week after setting a new British Masters 0/65 record over the 10km distance in Grangemouth.

Adam Gray of Penicuik took the Men's V40 title in 14:58, a second ahead of Corstorphine’s Dermot Cummins.

Moray Anderson, possibly in his first race in a new age category, took the MV50 title in 16:29, with Chris Upson of Cambuslang taking the MV60 title in 17:31.

Lothian Running Club’s Phil Jurczyk, in 41:51, was first MV80.

In the other Scottish women’s Masters titles, there were wins for Dundee Hawks, Sandy MacDougall in 17:21 at MV40, Shettleston’s Avril Masson at MV50 in 18:35.

Fife’s Innes Bracegirdle was 1st FV70 in 23:54

Kevin Campbell led Cambuslang to the team title, backed up by Callum Tharme in 4th and Ryan Thomson in 9th. Edinburgh University were second, and Shettleston were third.

The Edinburgh AC trio of Kirsty Walker, Mercss Sanchez-Oliver, and Hannah Cox took the women’s team gold medals from Central AC and Shettleston.

Results Men

Kevin Campbell. Cambuslang 14:01
Ben MacMillan Falkirk Vics 14:08
Sean Chalmers Aberdeen. 14:12

Women

Stefanie Tucker Cambuslang . 15:57
Grace Whelan Central AC 15:59
Katie Rourke Gala Harriers 16:16

Master's category positions

MV40 1. Adam Gray Penicuik Harriers 14:58
WV40 1. Sandy MacDougall Dundee HH 17:21
MV50 1. Moray Anderson Corstorphine 16:29
WV50 1. Avril Masson. Shettleston 18:35
MV60 1. Chris Upson Cambuslang 17:31
WV60 1. Fiona Matheson. Falkirk Victoria 18:58
WV70 1. Innes Bracegirdle Fife AC 23:54
WV70 2. Liz Bondi Lothian RC 29:10
MV80. Phillip Jurczyk Lothian RC 41:51

Juniors

Men U/20 1, James Alexander. Garscube. 14:17
Wom U/20 Charlotte Rose-Burton EDin Uni HH 17:12
MU17 1. Ben Baillie East Kilbride 14:43
WU17 1. Rachel Caves Harmeny 17:56

All results TBC.

A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE HELPERS WHO CHEERFULLY HELPED, DESPITE THE DOWNPOUR OF RAIN. WE REALLY ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO YOU ALL.

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Course record for Logan Rees at the Scottish 5km Road championship.

Morag Millar takes the women’s title, just missing her course record.

it was a breezy evening at Silverknowes and a great turnout with 531 finishers. Thank you to all the runners who turned up and hopefully you were all happy with your run on the night. A BIG thank you to all the helpers including the set up and take down crew (MASSIVE THANK YOU), registration crew, marshalls. shute funnerllers, announcer and Scottish Athletic officials who all came together to make a seamless enjoyable race event. Special mention to Tony Marsh (Film and Photography) for the amazing race video with superb drone footage. Thank you Tony.

Logan Rees of Fife AC took the men’s Scottish Athletics 5km road title In a competitive race with Central’s Morag Millar taking the women’s title. Despite the breeze blowing off the Firth of Forth there were fast times.

A group of four led at the 3km point including Rees (Fife AC), Clubmate Ben Sandilands and the Cambuslang duo of Jamie McKinnon and Callum Tharme. Aberdeen’s Sean Chalmers, Hamish Hickey (Central) and Ryan Thomson (Cambuslang) were just a few strides behind.

It was Rees who proved the stronger in the final kilometre to take the win in a new course record of 14:04. McKinnon took second place in 14:06 with Chalmers third in 14:08, both also inside Jamie Crowe’s previous best of 14:12 from 2023.

In the women's race Shettleston’s Lynn McKenna led at 3km from Central’s Morag Millar and Edinburgh’s Nancy Scott, It was Millar who powered home in the last kilometre to take the Scottish title for the third time just two seconds outside her course record from 2019 in 15:57. Scott also dipped under the 16 minute mark with 15:59 while McKenna took third in 16:02. Millie McClelland-Brooks, of Inverclyde, in 4th place, took the women’s under 20 title in 16:06, inside the best previous U20 time on the course of Natasha Phillips, 16:14 from 2023.

In the Men's Junior under 20 championships, Edinburgh University’s Angus Wright took gold in 14:30.

There were some impressive Masters performances, with Corstorphine's Stuart Livingstone setting a new MV40 Course record of 14:57 ahead of Edinburgh AC’s John Lenehan 15:10.

Brent Brodie, Bellahouston, set another course record in the MV50 category with 16:17, two seconds inside Scott McDonald’s 16:19 from 2019.

Ed Norton took the MV70 title with 20:47 in a close battle, edging out Jim Scott of Edinburgh (EAC) by just three seconds.20:50.

Laura Haggarty took the WV40 in 17:50.

Pamela Baillie took the WV50 Gala Harrriers 18:58.

Fiona Mathieson took the WV60 Falkirk Victoria 19:00.

Jamie McKinnon led Cambuslang to the team title, backed up by Callum Tharme in 4th and Ryan Thomson in 6th. Central were second and Fife AC were third.

The Edinburgh AC trio of Nancy Scott, Kirsty Walker and Hannah Cox took the women’s team gold medals from Shettleston and Edinburgh University Hares and Hounds.

Masters category positions

MV40 1. Stuart Livingstone Corstorphine 14:57

WV40 1. Laura Haggarty Kilmarnock 17:50

MV50 1. Brent Brodie Bellahouston 16:17

WV50 1. Pamela Baillie Gala Harrriers 18:58

MV60 1. David Cross. Edinburgh Athletic Cub 18:08

WV60 1. Fiona Mathieson. Falkirk Victoria 19:00

MV70 1. Ed Norton PH Racing Club 20:47

2. Jim Scott Edinburgh Athletic Cub. 20:50

MU17 1. James Alexander. Garscube 14:30

WU17 1. Nancy Corrie Harmeny 17:02

All results TBC.

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Thanks to everyone who took part in our Flat, Free, Fun, Five KM Race at BAWA, run in conjunction with the excellent Bristol Running Show. Now we have a measured course around the flat playing fields, we may make this an annual fixture.

Results are attached.

Our next races are the SBR-Mini Duathlon (run-bike-run) at Tockington on 30th March and our 1-mile junior + 2-mile open race at Eastville Park on May 6th.

See you there!

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This year our race incorporated the UK 24 Hour Championships. 42 Runners set started out on a sunny Saturday afternoon. 24 Hours later, 29 bold, courageous, fearless competitors triumphed having faced down hours and hours of heavy rain through the night; truly a race of two halves weather-wise. For the third time in the history of our race, a woman won the race; Sarah Funderburk of Mornington Chasers displayed utter focus, grit and brilliance to record 131 Miles. Brian Robb stuck his head down and didn't let the constant rain distract him to finish 1st Man, setting a new PB of 123 Miles. Per Audun Heskestad recorded a remarkable 108 Miles to win 1st Vet 60 at the age of 69. Who inspired us and the competitors alike the most? Unquestionably the remarkable Patricia Seabrook who ran 51 Miles putting 'ageing' into the corner at 84 years young. We pay tribute to the amazing courage and achievements of all the competitors. Results are posted here, you can find individual split times https://my.raceresult.com/307656/

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The Sri Chinmoy 5km race at Sliverknowes, Edinburgh, lived up to its name as “the fast one” with another amazing show of the strength in the depth of the Scottish club scene.

A fresh breeze coming off the Firth of Forth may have affected the times this year a little, but there was no doubting the usual commitment shown by over 500 club runners from throughout Scotland for the traditional Friday night event.

At the sharp end GB Cross Country international, Scott Stirling, improved on his second place from last year to record an excellent 14:17 (gun time ). He was comfortably clear of Edinburgh University’s Finlay Ross-Davie and Fife AC’s Ben Sandilands. In a photo finish Ross-Davie was given the nod by the officials for 2nd place although they both recorded the same time of 14:25.

In the women’s race, there was a victory for Steph Pennycook, who went sub 16 to record 15:55 (15:52 chip time). The Fife AC athlete is only the second female to go below the 16:00 barrier on the course and narrowly missed Morag Millar’s course record of 15:53 gun time (15:49 chip) ) from 2019. Millar finished second this year in 16:09 with Cambuslang Harrier Stefanie Tucker in third with 16:18.

Throughout the field, as is usual with this event, the strength in depth told with 26 men going under 15 minutes, and 12 women going under 17 minutes. In total there were 186 runners under 17 minutes and 394 breaking 20 minutes.

Special mentions to Fiona and Grant Matheson who claimed a family double by winning Gold and Silver respectively in the Masters V60 category.

Also to Sandra Branney, former GB marathon International and multiple age group record holder who had turned 70 three days before the race. She recorded 21:51 gun time (21:43 chip). If confirmed, this betters the listed GB time for 5km currently held by Yuko Gordon who ran 21:53 in January 2022.

For category and gender results click here to go to Perfect Timing:

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SRI CHINMOY 5KM RACE, EDINBURGH, Friday 3 May 2024.

INCORPORATING THE SCOTTISH 5KM ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS

by Tarit Adrian Stott

The Edinburgh Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, was again asked to organise the Scottish 5km Road championships. We hold our annual event on a beautiful flat out and back course on a wide esplanade by the River Forth. Although there can often be a breeze by the river, our course is renowned for fast times and over the years for its strength in depth.

We organised our first race there, a five miler, in 1981. Somewhere along the way, with the popularity of the 5km distance in the UK, we developed the 5km event.

Sri Chinmoy, the founder of the Marathon Team, ran and walked on the course on a visit to Edinburgh in 1983, when we staged a 5 mile event. My memory recalls him commenting to us afterwards “You have so many fast runners at your races. Very Good!”

This year it once again lived up to its name as “the fast one” with another amazing show of the strength in depth of the Scottish club scene.

A fresh breeze coming off the Firth of Forth, may have affected the times a little this year, but there was no doubting the usual commitment shown by over 500 club runners from throughout Scotland for the traditional Friday night event.

At the sharp end Great Britain Cross Country international, Scott Stirling, improved on his second place from last year to record an excellent 14:17 (gun time). He was comfortably clear of Edinburgh University’s Finlay Ross-Davie and Fife AC’s, Ben Sandilands. In a photo finish Ross-Davie was given the nod by the officials for 2nd place although they both recorded the same time of 14:25.

In the women’s race, there was victory for Steph Pennycook, who went sub 16 to record 15:55 (15:52 chip time). The Fife AC athlete is only the second female to go below the 16:00 barrier on the course and narrowly missed Morag Millar’s course record of 15:53 from 2019. Millar finished second this year in 16:09 with Cambuslang Harrier Stefanie Tucker in third with 16:18.

Throughout the field, as is usual with this event, the strength in depth told with 26 men going under 15 minutes, and 12 women going under 17 minutes.

In total there were 186 runners under 17 minutes and 394 breaking 20 minutes. Just over 500 runners ran the event.

Special mentions to Fiona and Grant Matheson who claimed a family double by winning gold and silver medals in their respective Masters V60 category.

Also to Sandra Branney, former GB Marathon International and multiple age group record holder who had turned 70 three days before the race. She recorded 21:51. If confirmed, this betters the listed Great Britain time for 5km currently held by Yuko Gordon who ran 21:53 in January 2022.

We are just a small group in Edinburgh, and as the race has grown over the years, we have enlisted the help of runners from the local Edinburgh clubs to make the event run smoothly. The Marathon Team, and the races we have promoted for over 40 years now, are very much a part of the local running community, which really appreciates the efforts we have made with our events.

Selflessly giving up our time to help with projects is so much at the heart of Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy and we are lucky that our local running community also embrace a commitment to helping at each others events whenever asked.

This year we needed over 50 volunteers to make the race work, and they are all blown away with the whole atmosphere this event creates.

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Sarah Webster and Dougie Selman take UKA 100km titles as Webster sets a new European women’s 100km record.

Ronnie Richmond sets a new British 50km mens road record in taking the UKA 50km title. Jennifer Wetton lands the UKA Women's 50km crown.

Full Results HERE

In near-perfect conditions, the Sri Chinmoy 100km and 50km races produced some outstanding performances in Perth on Sunday 24th March. The 1.5 mile /2.831 km course, at the North Inch Park is known for fast times and this year was no exception.

Women's 100km race

Sarah Webster ( Northern IOM AC) broke the European women’s 100km record (subject to confirmation ) with a new time of 7 hours, 3 minutes and 48 seconds. It bettered the previous time, of 7:04:03, set by Florianne Hot of France, in August 2022 by a mere 15 seconds.

Webster, the defending champion, had run a faster 7:03:40 to win the 2023 championship in Craigavon, Northern Ireland, which set a new GB mark. However, due to a technicality, it was not ratified as a European record.

This time Webster went through 50km in 3:26:01 with Melissa Gibson, Ealing, just 40 seconds back. Julia Davis, Newquay, was a further 4 minutes back on 3:30:46. Webster powered on to run remarkably even splits with a second 50k of 3:27:39. It was an extraordinary performance from Webster who now has the 5th and 6th women’s global best tomes for 100km.

Gibson and Davies times, now move to 2nd and 3rd on the GB all-time women’s 100km rankings behind Webster.

Gibson took the silver medal in 7:13:23 and Davies the bronze medal in 7:25:48 It made for a clean sweep for England in the women's Home Countries team competition, with all 3 runners well inside the previous course record of 7:41:12 set by Jo Murphy in 2002.

Mens 100km race

In a very exciting finish to the men’s race, just over a minute separated the first three runners. Once the race had settled down a solid group of around seven runners seemed to be working together, then after the 50 miles the group started breaking up with James Turner, Brighton, leading the charge, Scotland's Dougie Selman, Corstorphine, and Joe Turner, Cambridge, were the only ones to respond and although working hard, were still very much in touch.

Going into the last lap Turner (Brighton ) held a slim 9-second lead over the local favourite Dougie Selman, with Joe Turner ( Cambridge) a further 35 seconds back.

In a storming last lap, Selman was to overhaul Turner, to take the tape in 6:34:28 and raise a huge cheer from the local crowd, James Turner taking second in 6:34:38just 10 seconds behind and Joe Turner 3rd in 6:35:37

All three runners were inside the course record of 6:39:34 set by Matt Dickenson in 2022. And are now the 7th, 8th and 9th ranked All time Gb men at 100km

In the Scottish Championship for the Don Ritchie cups, Selman took the men's title from Chris Richardson (Metro Aberdeen ), who finished 4th overall in the race in a new PB of 6:40:44. Sage Pearce-Higgins, running his first road 100km (Edinburgh AC)took the bronze dipping under 7 hours with 6:56:14.

Sheena Logan ( Fife AC), running her first 100km race, took the women's Don Ritchie trophy, finishing in 6th overall in 8:19:26. Catherine Cowie of Portobello took the Scottish silver medal in 8:26:31 and Fiona Gibson Dundee Hawkhill the Bronze in 10:22:05

The Anglo Celtic Plate Team Competition.

Selman backed up by Richardson and Michael Deason (Shettleston) took the men's Plate ahead of England, Northern Ireland and Ulster.

In the women's Team competition, England with their clean sweep of the podium took the honours, with Ireland in second and Northern Ireland & Ulster third.

In other notable record performances, Ciaran McGonagle set a new Irish 100km record of 6:50:28 finishing in 6th place and first V/40.

Shettlston Harrier, John Duffy, who turned 60 on Friday 22nd March, set a new Scottish V/60 100km record of 8:50:59, TBC, bettering the 8:58:51 recorded by Bill Hutchison (Anster Haddies) at Perth in 2016.

UKA and SCOTTISH 50 KM CHAMPIONSHIP

Mens Championship

In a day of records, Ronnie Richmond, Bideford, and Andy Davies, Mercia Fell Runners, both GB internationals at the distance, ran together for practically the whole race, helping each other to exceptional times. At the end of lap 19 of the 21 laps, they were locked together at 2:32:16

At the bell, Davies had broken clear to have a narrow lead of 10 seconds.

On the last 2.382 km lap, Richmond turned that around to take the UKA 50km title in 2:48:25, just eight seconds clear of Davies with 2:48:33.

They were both under the previous GB road record of 2:49:01 set by Dan Nash in 2019. And just outside the long-held British track 50km of former Olympic marathoner Geoff Norman's 2:48:06, set in 1980. Tom Charles, Chorlton Runners, took the bronze dipping under 3 hours with 2:57:45.

Womens 50km Championships

The Women’s 50km Championship, also doubled as the Scottish 50km championship. This race was more clear cut with Central AC’s Jen Wetton in her first foray beyond the Marathon, leading from the start and recording an excellent 3:29:03 less than a minute outside the course record of 3:28:07 set by Hannah Oldroyd in 2019. Alison McGill (Fife AC), using the race as a stepping stone, as she builds to defending her West Highland Way title in June, took the silver while Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin (Portobello), the bronze in 4:03:18.

Men's Scottish Championship,

John Spiers of Cambuslang took the honours in 3:21:21, with Tony Golabek, Inverness in second, 3:24:11 and Martin Heggie 3rd in 3:24:27.

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On a beautiful summer's morning, Charlie Sandison ran a scorching 31:11 to win the race. Charlotte Taylor was the first woman in 34:13.

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At our new home of Millennium Stadium Track in Battersea Park, 45 runners pushed themselves to their limits and wowed us all. Pat Seabrook set a raft of Vet 80 records, including World Age Bests for 6, 12 and 24 hours, and British World Age Bests for 50K, 50 and 100 Miles. Hristo Tsvetkow broke two Bulgarian records during the race, setting a 12 hour record of 141.3K and a 100 Mile record of 14:41:26. Peter Abrahams' consistent pace through the race saw him claim first place with 143.5 Miles, whilst Jen Coleman was close on his heels with 141.9 Miles.

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About the author:

Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.

Petra Kasperova from the Czech Republic, the winner of our Sri Chinmoy Six Day Race which took place this year in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in New York, was recently featured in a new inspirational book called Superhuman, by Rowan Hooper. The book looks at people who have achieved notable features of self-transcendence, and tries to answer what motivates them to reach for these goals. Petra finished this year's race with a total of 370 miles, at only her second attempt at running a multi-day event.

During the 6 day race, the runners can be out on the course for many hours at a time, and have to deal with numerous physical issues. Petra credits meditation with giving her the inner strength to overcome these obstacles.

I am certain I would never do so well in running if it wasn't for meditation and spiritual techniques that I have learned and applied during training and racing. The techniques can change from race to race and even during a race. I like to repeat mantras, qualities and prayers - that seems to help keeping my mind calm and focused. I try not to think at all, just to be focused. Repeating qualities like gratitude seem to keep my mind clear and make me more aware of what is going on inside of me and also outside of me.

Running is an integral part of Petra's life - she works in the specialist running shop Run and Become in London, where she advises runners on all manner of running issues. She often trains by running to work and back.

"I find that running has made me stronger, not just physically but on many different levels. It is always when we go outside our comfort zones, outside what we think is possible, when we transcend ourselves in any field of life (not just running), that's the time where we need to dig deep, and when we do, we get glimpses of who we truly are and who we really want to be – for a happy self and a happy world."

The winners of the 2018 Sri Chinmoy 6 and 10 Day Races: (l-r) Asprihanal Aalto, John Geesler, Ilvaka Nemcova and Petra

Petra's Victory in the Six-Day Race 2018 at Run and Become
Six-Day Race at Sri Chinmoy Races
Superhuman by Rowan Hooper at Amazon

Photos: Utpal Marshall. Perfection Journey

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43 athletes took to the pool and the park to complete the GO TRI Swim-Run at Filton Leisure Centre / Elm Park.

Thanks to all the athletes who braved the chilly conditions and the marshals who got out there to make the race happen!

In the womens' race, Rebecca Hayward (The Triathlon Shop Racing Team) took top spot and an impressive second place overall, finishing in 16:56.

Fastest man was Raf Leszczynski, who started in the final wave and tore through the field to clock 15:31.

Photos will all be in our online gallery within a couple of days - some are uploaded already. Full results are in the attached PDF.

Our next race is the 2-Miler in Eastville Park - that's Tuesday May 15th.

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43 athletes took to the pool and the park to complete the GO TRI Swim-Run at Filton Leisure Centre / Elm Park.

Thanks to all the athletes who braved the chilly conditions and the marshals who got out there to make the race happen!

In the womens' race, Rebecca Hayward (The Triathlon Shop Racing Team) took top spot and an impressive second place overall, finishing in 16:56.

Fastest man was Raf Leszczynski, who started in the final wave and tore through the field to clock 15:31.

Photos will all be in our online gallery within a couple of days - some are uploaded already. Full results are in the attached PDF.

Our next race is the 2-Miler in Eastville Park - that's Tuesday May 15th.

View full article »

About the author:

Vilas Silverton of the Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team recently completed a 5,474km cycle ride across Australia - as part of the Indian Pacific Wheel Race.

Vilas from Bristol, England started in Perth on 17 March and finished in Sydney nearly four weeks later. The route crossed the wide uninhabited plains of Western Australia before passing through the cities of Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. During the race, Vilas rode mostly unsupported, often sleeping in make-shift shelters and buying his food on the way. For over 3,000 miles Vilas had to contend with heat, traffic, fatigue, long straight sections of headwind, the weight of his equipment, and the occasional temperamental kangaroo.

Vilas got inspired to do the ride after following the race in previous years and seeking a new personal target for self-transcendence in cycling.

In preparing for the race, Vilas attempted a few long audax rides through Great Britain, including a ride from Bristol to Glasgow and back. Over the cold English winter, Vilas completed several weeks of high mileage. However, his preparation was hampered by a knee injury from January to March, which meant little training in the final months. But, after an eventful few weeks, Vilas was able to complete the full distance finishing in Sydney.

Interview with Tejvan Pettinger

Q. What inspired you to do the race?

I followed the race closely last year, and I felt great joy in the heart at the prospect of entering the race.

Q. How did you prepare?

I rode the bike a lot! I built up over the year and completed some periods of high mileage. Though in Jan I injured my knee - so from Jan to Feb - I didn't ride much. And I needed to calm fears about not being able to train and even whether I would even be able to enter. But, after the good training in Dec, I felt I would be OK.

Q. How did you find ride itself?

Riding on the narrow roads was quite challenging. With cars passing close by, I found I was frequently inspired to pray for protection while cycling!

There were many challenges which made the ride more testing. On the first day, I was sick and this continued for much of the first week; as a result, I had to recalibrate my timescale. I just tried to ride as much or little as I could without worrying about time. The main objective was to finish. The fact I was sick meant I didn't physically push too much - it was an effort just to complete what seemed like the minimum.

During the ride, I learnt to be more tolerant and understanding of myself and other people. The various tests highlighted the importance of patience and resilience.

During the ride, I tried to be grateful for the moment and enjoy. When cycling I turned my phone off to avoid being distracted and gain an excuse to stop and break my rhythm.

Q. What did you enjoy about the event?

Meeting people by the side of the road who were following the ride on GPS tracking. For example, when I reached Adelaide, I found people were there to support and offer encouragement - I was grateful to meet people who were handing out food, and on some occasions putting me up for the night. Special thanks to friends in the Sri Chinmoy Centres in Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne.

Q. How did you feel about finishing?

I felt relieved, somewhat elated while also being quite tired. When I finished, I discovered a group of riders who had finished earlier were waiting at the steps of the Sydney Opera House. Very unexpected and beautiful. I was also happy not to be riding anymore!

Q. How do feel a week after the race has finished?

It's a really long way! But it is nice to hear people were inspired by the event.

Related

Preparation for the Indian Pacific Wheel Race 2018
My first Audax Ride - by Vilas

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Congratulations to the 45 athletes who lined up for our 24 Hour Track race this weekend. 36 Hero Runners completed the race which saw the Norweigan Women's National Record fall; Therese Falk smashed her own record with 236.8K, 147 miles; and Norbert Mihalik record the 6th furthest distance for 24 hours in 2017 and 2nd best ever at our race with 259.4K, 161 Miles. In all, 24 runners completed over 100 Miles.

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The glorious summer of 2017 continues and in dry, warm conditions we saw our highest turnout to date (46 starters) and some very fast times at the front of the field. Chris Mills (Clevedon & District RC) was just a minute off the course record, taking first place among the men with 38.07, while a close race for second saw Matt Washburn finish strongly in 41.29, just 6 seconds ahead of Stewart Downie (North Bristol Tri) in 3rd. Yvonne Cox added another Sri Chinmoy Races 2017 trophy to her collection, finishing first among the women with a time of 46.45, with the runner up spot going to Maite Roche (Thornbury RC) and third place to Katie Jones (Caldicot RC).

Sadly we had a couple of mechanicals, with Emily Graham forced to retire with a flat just as she started the ride. Harsharn Dephu overcame the double misfortune of a flat tyre and a broken chain to complete the course on foot in just over an hour and a half.

Our next Duathlon event is on the same course on Sunday 10 September, while the next race in our Summer Series is our Relay (for teams of 3, completing a single 1 mile lap each) in Eastville Park on 18th July. The Race Director has confirmed that the "free ice creams for all relay runners" offer is definitely on, so get yourself a team together (all abilities welcome) and you can sign up on the night.

Results are in the attached PDF file and photos are in our gallery at: http://ukgallery.srichinmoyraces.org/Bristol/2017

Thanks to all who took part today and we hope to see you at another event soon.

Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team & Triathlon Club, Bristol

"The thunderstorms
Of my yesterdays
Have surrendered
To the sunshine
Of my life today."

Sri Chinmoy

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About the author:

On Monday 29th May we celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Oxford Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile. Back in May 1987, Sri Chinmoy visited Oxford and dedicated this one-mile loop to peace with the then Oxford Mayor Bill Fagg. It was one of the first Peace Mile's dedicated to the cause of peace and joins other such Peace Miles, in London, Geneva, New York and many locations around the world. Shortly before the start of the event, Devashishu Torpy recalled his experience of running in the first junior race on the inaugural day back in 1987.

Shortly before the junior race at 5.30pm, we had an hour of sustained heavy rain, which made setting up the course a little more interesting. Fortunately, the race ceased just before the start, and five intrepid young runners took to the start line for a one-mile junior race. By the adult race of 7.00pm we had near perfect conditions with still wind, warm and just enough time to dry up the standing water. Paul Hughes of Abingdon A.C. was the fastest over the three miles with a time of 16.23. The fastest lady was Lucrezia Portigliatti of St Clare's in a time of 18.45

After the race, there was a commemorative medal of the event.

Thanks to John Harvey of Abingdon A.C for many excellent photos. See also Flickr Gallery here for more.

Thanks also to Emma Moore of Abingdon A.C. who kindly brought a very nice cake for our 30th Anniversary.

(Provisional results) attached, send any correction to tejvan(at)cyclinginfo.co.uk

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There is only one way
To arrive at the destination:
Begin.

Sri Chinmoy

Thanks to everyone who came to Chantry Park to celebrate the 30th anniversary of our Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile. Conditions were bright and clear and it was great to see such a range of runners taking part, from under-11s right through to veterans of our 1980s race series.

Click on the link to see a PDF of 1-mile and 2-mile race results. Photos will be uploaded to our Races Gallers (http://ukgallery.srichinmoyraces.org/) and there is a video of everyone at the race start on the Event Page.

See you at the 40th anniversary!

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Tejvan Pettinger of Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team, won the Bristol South CC hill climb on Burrington Combe in a time of 7.17. It was his seventh win at this event from nine attempts. He first rode Burrington Combe in 2004, and is now a regular at an event which suits his him well.

Burrington Combe 2016

Length: 2.0 miles
Average grade: 6%
Time: 7.17
Av. speed: 16.2 mph

In recent months, Tejvan has been hampered by an injury and this was his first hill climb win of the season. Speaking after the event Tejvan said:

"I was pleased with the ride, I haven't done much training in past few months, so I wasn't sure how I would do. After missing quite a few events with injury, it was nice to win one hill climb before the end of the season."

Tejvan Pettinger's results at Burrington Combe Hill climb

2004 – 7.12 – 2nd / 43
2005 – 7.06 – 2nd / 61
2008 – 7.21 – 1st / 50
2009 – 7.20 – 1st / 55
2010 – 7.10 – 1st / 51
2011 – 6.51 – 1st / 48 – new Course Record
2014 – 6.57 – 1st / 118
2015 – 6.58 – 1st / 110
2016 – 7.17 – 1st / 113

Vilas, Dave and Tejvan from Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team in cafe after race.

Next week is the National Hill Climb Championship on Bank Road at Matlock

Race report at Cycling Time Trials

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About the author:

The 2016 edition of the Self-Transcendence 24 hour track championship saw 26 out of the 45 starters breaking the magic 100 mile barrier. It also witnessed:

A new course record (James Stewart 160 miles)
A new world record (women/over 65 - Ann Bath 115 miles)

The event was organised by Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, who provided a team of counters and volunteers to serve the runners. This video gives a brief insight into the race and some of the runners and volunteers who helped to make it a very successful edition.

Further reading

The highs and lows of a 24 hour race "How ultra-endurance running around a track in Tooting Bec offered a fresh perspective on happiness, humanity and the power of cake" - Isaac Williams writes about his experience of running his first 24 hour race in the Guardian.

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