Tony Smith, the founder of Run and Become, passed away in February 2006. He will be remembered as a decent, kind-hearted man, with a big smile and a deafening laugh. The joy that emanated from him came from his huge heart.

Sri Chinmoy encouraged him to give up his job as a Quantity Surveyor and open his own business, because this would give him a satisfaction that working for someone else would never reward. Tony gave up his job and spent 18 months looking for, and then starting up, Run and Become. Having taken up running after joining Sri Chinmoy’s path and finding it tough to find the proper gear and help, it seemed the obvious thing to do.

Sri Chinmoy visited the London shop 2 weeks before it opened. At that point it was to be called ‘Sports A Foot’. But during the course of the evening, he carefully unwrapped a parcel to reveal one of his paintings and the words “Run and Become, Become and Run.” It was the first line of a song Tony and Cherry had sung many times, composed by Sri Chinmoy and known as his running anthem. To be offered the name Run and Become, Become and Run for their shop was a great honour.

Run and Become started as running was beginning to grow in the public consciousness, no longer being seen as a sport for freaks. Here we are over 20 years later, with 3 prosperous branches. Over the years, as Run and Become became better established, Tony used its strength to support various running events. Tony’s massive character at the head of Runners are Smilers, and now Self Transcendence, made the races some of the simplest and best in the country.

Later Run and Become was able to sponsor the 24-hour race, which has continued for many years. Tony’s direction and Run and Become’s support was also fundamental to the UK's hosting of the Peace Run and World Harmony Run.

Run and Become has also supplied quite a few Africans with shoes through The Oneness-Heart-Tears and Smiles charity. Through all these activities Tony took his faith in Sri Chinmoy – the inspirer of all these events – and in turn inspired others. He never saw himself as anything special, it was simply his duty and he loved it; his big heart inspired others’ hearts.

Undoubtedly Run and Become was Tony’s big love, yet when his eldest daughter, Shankara, left school he encouraged her to learn more and more about the business. He has passed on his dedication and savvy to her, so that she may continue as the manager of the London shop, and oversee the running of all three branches.

With the continued dedication and experience of his wife Cherry, and youngest daughter Dipika, Tony’s Run and Become legacy continues to flourish.

Tony has been taken from us many years earlier than we expected, but we cannot feel any regret. How many people can leave this earth having had a truly full and satisfying life?

He always had a loving and dedicated family, wonderful friends who loved him dearly, a business that not only succeeded financially but which holds a fond place in many hearts. He also had Sri Chinmoy, in whom he found the fulfilment of all his inner needs; an inspiration that guided him through life and gave him true satisfaction.

Sri Chinmoy always commented on how Tony had the biggest heart; when he gave the name Ongkar, he said ‘I am giving you the Bengali spelling of your name because the Bengalis have big hearts too’. This big heart encompassed everyone and came with a generosity that many will remember.