The sight of a monk running a marathon may not be what many expect when they imagine a participant in one of the world’s most prestigious athletic events. Yet this year’s London Marathon will witness just that—a British Hindu monk embracing the iconic 26.2-mile challenge with a powerful message.
Brahmacharini Shripriya Chaitanya, a spiritual leader and teacher at the Chinmaya Mission in Hendon, north London, is preparing to participate in the 2025 TCS London Marathon with the goal of breaking stereotypes, promoting cultural understanding, and honouring ancient Hindu wisdom.
Shripriya Chaitanya’s journey is not just about physical endurance—it is about demonstrating that spiritual devotion and athleticism are not mutually exclusive. At 35 years old, she is blending her commitment to spiritual life with the discipline and grit required to run a marathon.
Through her participation, she seeks to inspire a new generation, spotlight the work of the Chinmaya Mission, and build bridges between cultures and belief systems.
Bringing Ancient Wisdom to Modern Challenges
Brahmacharini Shripriya Chaitanya’s path is an inspiring blend of modern commitment and timeless philosophy. A British citizen who once studied in India, she has served her London community for the past seven years, spreading the teachings of non-dualism, or Advaita Vedanta, a core concept of Hindu philosophy that emphasizes the essential oneness of all existence.
Her participation in the London Marathon is her way of showing how this ancient worldview can be lived in today’s world. The Chinmaya Mission, founded by Swami Chinmayananda in the 1950s, has always championed the dissemination of Hindu philosophy in a way that is accessible and universal.
The organisation spans across continents and has worked tirelessly to bring Vedic teachings into the lives of people from all backgrounds. It’s not merely a religious organisation but a global movement dedicated to education, self-inquiry, and service.
Brahmacharini Chaitanya’s decision to take part in the marathon draws direct inspiration from the Mission’s founder. Swami Chinmayananda was known for his deep commitment to service and education, famously walking across the entire length of India to engage with people from every walk of life.
In her eyes, running 26.2 miles is a humble tribute to his monumental efforts. “He dedicated his whole life in service of the teaching and all the communities that he met. In comparison to that, I think 26 miles is not so bad,” she said.
Brahmacharini Shripriya Chaitanya, a spiritual leader at the Chinmaya Mission, North London, will take on the 26.2-mile challenge to inspire a new generation with the Wisdom of Vedānta.
— INSIGHT UK (@INSIGHTUK2) April 20, 2025
A powerful step toward spreading timeless spiritual wisdom across the UK, one mile at a time.… pic.twitter.com/jgfJNiVE43
By merging this deep spiritual foundation with a modern physical challenge, Chaitanya exemplifies how ancient teachings can remain profoundly relevant. Her marathon journey represents a bridge—between the past and the present, between East and West, and between contemplation and action.
Spiritual Strength in Physical Endurance
While many train for marathons with strict schedules and high-intensity workouts, Brahmacharini Chaitanya brings another dimension to her preparation: spiritual discipline. She began her training in January, and since then, her progress has been supported not just by physical routines but also by meditation, introspection, and the mental clarity that comes from spiritual practice.
“Running a marathon demands immense dedication and perseverance, and my spiritual practices serve as a guiding light throughout the training process and when it comes to the race itself,” she explained. Her insight offers a refreshing and holistic perspective on endurance sports. The idea that running—typically seen as a purely physical activity—can be interwoven with spiritual depth offers a powerful counter-narrative to conventional athletic preparation.
She sees the marathon not only as a test of the body but also of the mind. “While the marathon is undeniably a physical challenge, it ultimately becomes a profound mental battle,” she says. This reflects her deep belief that spirituality is about cultivating awareness of the mind, an understanding that often leads to a stronger, more resilient attitude in the face of hardship.
Brahmacharini Chaitanya’s approach also challenges the notion that monks or spiritual practitioners are disconnected from worldly challenges. On the contrary, she demonstrates that spiritual strength can empower one to engage with and overcome the most daunting of challenges, whether they be physical distances or social perceptions.
Breaking Stereotypes and Building Understanding
For Brahmacharini Chaitanya, this marathon is more than a personal challenge—it’s a statement. She wants her participation to challenge entrenched stereotypes about what it means to be a monk, a Hindu, a woman, or a spiritual seeker in the modern world.
The image of a monk in running gear might raise eyebrows or provoke curiosity. But that is precisely the point. In her words, she hopes to “challenge preconceived notions and open up space for a more nuanced understanding of what it means to be a Hindu or a Brahmacharini.”
Too often, religious figures are seen as separate from everyday society, as people who retreat from challenges instead of confronting them. Chaitanya’s marathon run flips that notion on its head.
There is also a powerful gender dimension to her participation. As a female monk—known as a Brahmacharini—she is already part of a rare group in Hindu tradition.
The visual of a woman in traditional spiritual garb running through the streets of London alongside 50,000 others is bound to spark conversations and reflection. In doing so, she is not just running a race; she is running towards a broader cultural dialogue, inviting people to reconsider outdated assumptions.
This effort also aims to foster cultural appreciation. Through her visibility in such a widely viewed public event, she hopes to encourage greater understanding and respect for diverse spiritual traditions.
At a time when cultural and religious identities are often misunderstood or stereotyped, her marathon journey can become a medium for empathy, education, and connection.
Moreover, her participation is a tribute to community and service. She is raising money for the Chinmaya Mission, helping to fund their educational and humanitarian projects across the globe. Whether it’s organizing community programs in London or supporting missions in India, the money she raises will go directly to initiatives that uplift and empower.
A New Kind of Role Model
Brahmacharini Shripriya Chaitanya represents a new kind of role model—one who bridges worlds and defies conventions. She’s not the typical marathon runner, nor the typical spiritual leader. And that’s exactly what makes her story resonate. She embodies resilience, compassion, and purpose, showing that the ancient and modern can harmoniously coexist.
Her participation in the 2025 London Marathon is a step—not just through the city’s iconic streets—but toward a broader, richer understanding of what it means to live with purpose. In a time when many seek meaning amidst noise and distraction, her path offers a gentle but firm reminder: the journey within is just as important as the road ahead.
As she takes on this immense physical challenge, the world will be watching not just her pace, but the grace with which she carries the hopes of many—those who seek spiritual meaning, those who want to defy norms, and those who believe that running can be as much about the heart as it is about the legs.
The London Marathon, with its sea of runners and spectators, will see many stories unfold. But among them, the story of a British Hindu monk running for truth, unity, and change will stand out—not just for its uniqueness, but for the powerful message it carries.