Siggy Bauer reflects on his New York experience

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 1, 3 June 1986, Page 16

Siggy Bauer reflects on his New York experience

Ultra-distance running star Siggy Bauer is back home in Raetihi after finishing second in the gruelling 1000-mile Sri Chinmoy track race in New York. Siggy came in behind American Stewart Mittleman after nearly 13 days running round the one-mile circuit. Siggy said the race was organised by the non-profit-making organisation Sri Chinmoy, a group dedicated to advancing world peace through fitness - a balance of the physical and spiritual mind. "They are dedicated to physical fitness because they believe that outer strength leads to inner peace," he said. Sri Chinmoy is a man who spent 20 years in an ashram, or Indian religous community, undergoing spiritual training. The ashram emphasised sports and Sri Chinmoy was many times champion in sprints and decathlon. He later came to the West as part of India's delegation to the United Nations. He was very impressed by the

dynamism of New York and decided to stay. "Some yogis meditate in caves in India but Sri Chinmoy believed that this didn't achieve much and wanted to be active in the world," said Siggy. Siggy said that the people who organised the race were part of the organisation and were different to the usual organisers who were often there for the power trip, the money or both. "They were part of the race, always helping and giving out positive vibrations," he said. Siggy stayed six weeks with the group, including the period of the race, because he wanted to find out more about their activities. "They are not a bunch of cranks out to convert by brainwashing, they are professional people who work quietly and steadily for peace," he said. The race was purely amateur and there was no prize money. At the age of 44 when many sports people have put their feet up and become

armchair spectators Siggy is still running. "Age is a very misunderstood concept in sport. Society makes you think sport is just for the young but this is not so and anyone who wants to play can do so at a good level, given proper training," he said. "In many sports age can be extended beyond our usual idea." Siggy Bauer is now getting his body repaired after the strain of the long race. He received medical treatment at the Sri Chinmoy centre in New York for several minor niggling injuries and he says he is coming right. He expects to hear within two weeks whether the DB

Ultrathon from Auckland to Wellington will be run again this year. He was also asked by Fred Lebow, president of the famous New York Roadrunners' Club, to take part in their six-day indoor race in January 1987. And he may also be in New York for the Sri Chinmoy race next year when it is extended to 1300 miles. Recent news reports stated that Siggy was sad that Stewart Mittleman had broken his world record for 1000 miles held for 1 1 years. "This is not so. I feel very positive that my record was broken. Records are made to be broken and sport would be stagnant without that," he said.