The race reaches the halfway point, and race leader Andrea suffers a setback

Thursday 24th September marked a minor landmark, as the race reached the halfway point of its 52-day journey. For 26 days now, since Day One on August 30th, the runners have been slowly and steadily circling the short 0.5488-mile lap around Thomas Edison High School.

Summer is slowly turning to autumn, and sweeping up the fallen leaves around the race camp has become a daily task for some. Although not actually cold yet, temperatures are dropping, especially in the early mornings and late evenings. Some of the runners are now wearing an extra layer at these times. In the counting tent, where the volunteers sit static for several hours, hats and warmer jackets are now a necessity for the early morning and evening shifts.

Day 26 saw some drama unfold amongst the runners. Six-time winner Andrea Marcato, the race leader from Day One, is having his first real test of the race. After regularly logging high-60-mile to low-70-mile days, he suddenly dropped to a 57.6-mile day on Day 25, and an even lower 47.7-mile day yesterday on Day 26. The reason is a sudden stomach and gastrointestinal (GI) issue.

As a regular multi-day runner, he knows these issues can happen to any of the runners on any given day. If he were not in the race, he would probably take a complete break and stay home to let his body work through the temporary setback. In his current situation, on Day 26 of one of the toughest running challenges in the world, this is not an option. With advice from the experienced race medical team, he is still "showing up" each day and circling the race loop at a reduced effort.

Athletes like Andrea have a level of natural strength, resilience and fitness way above normal, built over many years. That is why he is a multi-day champion. At times like this, that fitness, resilience, and all-round belief that any obstacle is there to be experienced and overcome, give him a huge advantage. Patience is needed. However, history shows that with the right advice from the race medical team, and support from his own personal helpers, he has the capacity to get through this and finish the race. Time will tell, but we will keep an eye on the daily leaderboard!

In other news

• Andrea's lead has certainly been reduced, but he still has a healthy buffer.
• Radu, who is in second place, continues his own progress with a steady 65.8-mile day but is still almost 80 miles behind Andrea.
• Annabel Hepworth continues to hit her daily target and ran another solid 63-mile day, leaving her with a total of 1,661.1 miles.
• Wei Ming Lo, with all his experience, continues to grow into the race. He has established a good routine, and another 64.1-mile day yesterday took him to the halfway point. Observers are wondering if he will, as he has in previous years, get stronger as the race progresses.
• Vasu, with another 60-mile day, also has the 3,100-mile race experience to push on strongly in the second half of the race.
• Nayaja, now well recovered from her own injury interlude, and in her first race beyond 10 days, continues to explore her own boundaries. She ran 63 miles yesterday, leaving her on 1,562.4 miles.
• Vasu and Nayaja both went through halfway yesterday, well inside the mythical "cut-off" line.
• Nina, although below the cut-off line, continues to look good with another 50-plus-mile day. With every passing day, though, the 3,100-mile goal is slipping further away.

Report by Tarit Stott.

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