Running 45km for Subarata

Last weekend several of my friends from around New Zealand, ran 45 km for our dear friend Subarata, who passed away when she was 45 in 2000.  Subarata was from Ireland and with her husband Jogyata from New Zealand (Jogyata's amusing stories with Subarata) started the first New Zealand Sri Chinmoy Centre and founded the New Zealand Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in the early 80’s, which is founded apon Sri Chinmoy's philosophy of  Self-Transcendence.

Subarata was an ultra runner and was ranked 2nd best ultra-marathoner of the 20th century in New Zealand by the New Zealand Ultra-Runners Association. Although she wasn't a naturally gifted runner, she accomplished all she did, by excerting tremendous determination and dedication.  So running seemed a fitting way to show her our appreciation on her birthday.  

I ran on what is called the Peace Mile in Christchurch's Hagley Park and 45k converted to 28 miles. My run went fairly well and on my 27th lap I heard someone biking up behind me and say ‘Looking pretty good there Ujjwala’. I turned around and it was Subarata's close friends; Bhuvah and Pranika. I ran my last lap with them biking slowly. At the finish point we all stopped in silence, for a minute almost, I felt unexplainably choked with emotion and gratitude. Pranika turned and said ‘Subarata is saying ‘Thankyou for thinking of me’.

I can remember from when Sri Chinmoy was with us, he would read out the names of the people who had taken part in our annual run for Subarata to our fellow students. He read the list of names of the people who, not only ran the full distance, but of everyone who took part in whatever capacity they could. From the children who roller bladed 5k or biked 10  to the older people who walked a few kilometres and were happy to take part. Long Live 'Subarata Heavenly Run!' 

“What gives life its value, if not its constant cry for self-transcendence?” ~Sri Chinmoy

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