Ashprihanal Aalto Wins 3100 Mile Race in Record Time
By Tejvan Pettingerauthor bio »
25 July
About the author:
Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.
"Ashprihanal Aalto,44, from Helsinki Finland won the 19th Annual Self-Transcendence Race in 40 days+09:06:21, taking 23 hours,10 minutes off the record held by German legend Madhupran Wolfgang Schwerk. Mr. Aalto averaged 76.776 miles per day (123.559 km).
After he crossed the line he was serenaded with songs, showered with flowers and gifts, congratulated by his fellow runners, and whisked around the course on a specially decorated float proclaiming his ascedency to the top of super-long distance running. The modest, but confident runner used two summers of mountain climbing and altitude training, combined with excellent running races and years of experience to achieve the summit of his running career. He remarked his joy and gratitude to all present, and dedicated his run to his late teacher, Sri Chinmoy, who encouraged him to always set new goals, believe in himself, and have faith in God.
Mr Aalto plans to climb more mountains next year. Indeed, he has reached the summit of running long distance running"
The former record holder Madhupran Wolfgang Schwerk sent this message to Ashprihanal
"I am tremendously happy for you - you deserve the world record! Your constancy and focus is spectacular. I have always admired you for your ease. You run like a feather. This is self-transcendence par excellence. You are the greatest! I am happy for you with all my heart."