BERLIN, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia (with red shirt in the photograph) set a world record for the marathon today, Sunday 30 September 2007, winning the Berlin race in an unofficial time of two hours, four minutes and 26 seconds (2h 04m 26s).

Gebrselassie, 34, bettered the mark of 2:04:55 set by Kenya's Paul Tergat on the same Berlin course on Sept. 28, 2003.

Running in near ideal conditions, Gebrselassie was already 32 seconds inside Tergat's pace at the 10km mark.

Here is a striking little poem just published on the Sri Chinmoy Inspiration Group by Slava, one of the nicest I read in months.

Beautiful imagery, well balanced structure, and a delightful rhythm. Also, the rhyming is not forced, but it nicely adds to the whole. I know how difficult that is -- I have been striving to add rhyming to my poems for ages.

I am very inspired by it, not only as a amateur poet, but as a wannabe runner.

Sri Chinmoy has written not only immortal poetry and prose, but also some astounding theatrical work.

The Descent of the Blue may be one of Sri Chinmoy's less known plays, but it has always inspired me so much. It is different from the others, some may call it difficult, but it certainly endows the reader (or spectator) with insights difficult to find somewhere else.

Among The Descent of the Blue's many jewels, shines the vision of the sacred destiny of Mother India as indivisible vehicle and guardian of the Sanatan Dharma.

The speech published here -- called Uttarpara Speech, given by Sri Aurobindo on 30 May 1909 -- offers another view on the role India and Hinduism are going to play in a hopefully near future for the upliftment of man.

The Sanatan Dharma -- eternal because universal -- does not belong just to India, but to every nation of the world. It is the eternal religion of humanity.

Here is a neat technique to pack your suitcase quite tidily.

It may come handy for your next trip.

To see the full size image, click on it, and then choose the link labeled "Original".

Here is the schedule. I typed in bold some of the interesting games (I apologise if I did choose some with the Italian team as well. They have no hope, but there is hope for some good rugby still)

Am I correct in that choice? Let me know which match you think is a must-see!