Day 24 of the Sri Chinmoy 3,100 Mile Race saw the nine contenders continue their epic journey. The race leader, Andrea Marcato, once again topped the daily mileage with another impressive 70.2-mile day. The rest of the top six also covered more than 60 miles.

A highlight of the morning was Radu Budan (Moldova) passing the halfway mark with 1,550 miles. It is Radu's second race, and so far he has displayed great talent and aptitude for the distance.

But whilst we often focus on the runners' mileage, there is always a big support crew to feed and look after them. Andrea is always looking to save time where possible, and here his main handler, Arpan, gives him food on the move.

Most runners will not have full-time helpers, and some manage without any specific help at all. But the race organisers always provide food and snacks at a convenient location on the course. Here, Vasu Duzhiy is scanning the table for something he might fancy.

How Many Calories Does a Runner Burn?

A runner who is on the move from 6 am to midnight — 18 hours of running — and completes 70 miles in a day may burn anything from 7,300 calories (59 kg) to 9,000 calories (72 kg).

A runner who completes 60 miles may burn anything from 6,300 (59 kg) to 7,800 (72 kg) calories in total.

Calories burned depend on a few factors, but this gives a rough idea that runners need to eat around three times the usual daily calorie intake of 2,000 calories. It might sound like a dream to be able to eat so much without putting on weight, but it can actually be hard work, and the stomach has to work harder to process so much food. Especially if it is hot, a runner may not feel like eating. This is why it is important the food is tasty and appealing. The race cooks do a great job! (More photos at Arpan 3100 gallery)

Radu Interview with Tarit

Radu is doing well so far, averaging in the mid-to-high sixties every day and well on course, for now, for another finish. Every day, his expression switches from steely concentration on the task at hand, to laughing and joking with volunteers, to occasional periods when he is quiet and seemingly dealing with a temporary issue. Every day, though, he is "showing up" with the knowledge and experience from 2024 that covering 3,100 miles is achievable.

He has an overall aura of quiet confidence that he will reach the goal again. So, what are his own thoughts as he reaches halfway?

You reached halfway today; does that give you any special feelings?

"I lost a little enthusiasm a few days ago because I had a problem with my knee. Usually, after a marathon or some other big run, after halfway I start to concentrate on going down! Until then you imagine you are going up a mountain. Now you start to go back down. This, for me, is great, because every day you are closer to the end. It is also good for me, because if halfway feels like this, and I feel okay, then from now on half of my worries have disappeared. (laughs)

If 50% of your worries have gone, then you feel much more happiness. The numbers are very important to me, and all the time I calculate how much I need to do each day. After halfway, it's much easier mentally. There can be some problems, even bigger problems, but mentally, if you already know you are past halfway, it is easier to stay calm when problems crop up. If you have less worry and more calm, I hope everything will be fine."

Do you worry about the weather?

"Yes, when it's rainy, you have to change your clothes and nothing is easy. You're wet all the time, even if you have a good jacket, because you're running and sweating; you're wet inside too.

Sometimes when it rains a lot, it also gets colder, and for me that feels uncomfortable. You lose time. You also lose time when you change, and everything is wet. Having wet socks is one of the worst things in the world. But it's like in life; you cannot change anything. You have to deal with things. You have to change to do what is needed.

When you need a cap, or a jacket or T-shirt or something else, it all takes time. I'm a little worried, but when you get through it and see that you survive, it gives you happiness, and you understand nothing can stop you or distract you. There's a bit more wind today."

Does the wind affect you at all?

"Not so much, unless it is very strong. Usually, in 10-day races here in New York, one part of the park is so open, and the wind can just stop you sometimes. It's very, very strong. But here, it's not so strong. Here, the problem is that in the evening, many times, half of the course is quite warm with no wind, and half is very cold as you run into the wind. You don't know which clothes to wear.

You can walk and enjoy the wind blowing, or you have to freeze, or you have to be too warm because you put extra clothes on."

Major Daily Milestones (All TBC)

• Andrea Marcato — 2700 km in 23 Days 08:15:43
• Radu Budan — Halfway in 23 Days +01:26:18; 2500 km in 23 Days 02:15:26
• Annabel Hepworth — 1500 miles in 23 Days +06:47:47; 2400 km in 23 Days 04:36:49
• Wei Ming Lo — 1500 miles in 23 Days +10:25:44; 2200 km in 23 Days +09:15:47
• Vasu Duzhiy — 2300 km in 23 Days 01:11:59
• Nayaja Perugini — 1400 miles in 23 Days +06:42:36
• Nina — 2000 km in 23 Days 10:16:42

Follow the race

• Sri Chinmoy Ultra Photo 2026
• 3100 Mile US Gallery 2026 - Arpan's Galleries
• Perfection Journey  3100 Mile Race 2026
• Instagram - SCMT  
• YT - SCMT 

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