The top three men have all passed 2500 miles, and things have gotten even more interesting. Yuri Trostenyuk continues to define his consistency in this race, unwrapping another 66.95 mile day as the temperature was in the low 90's with a little less humidity. Ashprihanal Aalto, however, has awoken from his physical maladies to climb into second place with a fine 70.79 mile day. He wants to finish this race as soon as possible, he says, so 70 miles seems like a good mark to aim at- on a daily basis. He trails Yuri by 25.9 miles, so he can put lots of pressure on the frontrunner if he continues to reach his goal of 70. The five days of the heatwave have an end in sight, finally, so good weather can reveal perhaps greater capacity and normalcy from the 'Big Three'. We have never had a three-man race this close with less than 600 miles to go. Should be fun to watch.

Yuri Trostenyuk- 4000 km-37 days+04:57:10

Atmavir Petr Spacil-4000 km-37 days+10:41:23

Ashprihanal Aalto-4000 km-37 days+12:47:51

Yuri Trostenyuk-2500 miles-37 days+09:09:44

Ashprihanal Aalto-2500 mile-37 days+16:41:14

Atmavir Petr Spacil-2500 miles-37 days+17:15:11

Race Director's updates

The warm weather continued again today, but at least there was a nice breeze for a few hours. Ashprihanal Aalto continued his surge by leading everyone with 70.2 miles, although Yuri Trostenyuk kept his overall lead with a damage-controlled 64.7 miles. The two men were the only runners to pass 60 miles for the day.Yuri's lead has dwindled from 26 miles to 20. Atmavir Petr Spacil had another disastrous day in 92º F heat, his mountain to the top increased to nearly 50 miles from third place. Kaneenika Janakova had a little resurgence of 57 miles to continue her quest to finish on the last day.

The weather picture for the next 6 days is hopeful, so expect everyone to pick up their pace a little. Now the race has become a survival to the finish,

The first finisher could reach the finish line as early as next Thursday, August 4, if things break right.

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Sport and Meditation

Inner secrets to get the most out of training and competing

Race Director's updates

Yuri Trostenyuk padded his lead over both his rivals today, posting a solid 66.4 miles amidst hot sun, rising humidity, and raging thunderstorms too close for comfort. Atmavir Petr Spacil kept close with 64.20 miles, remaining on the track during torrential rains, and limiting his breaks. Ashprihanal Aalto was feeling better after a lackluster day, particularly when the rain subsided. He is just not partial to rain, hot sun, and lingering chest colds. But he said he will run harder tomorrow, so stay tuned to see if he, indeed, runs like a man who has a new lookm on life.

Race Director's updates

The ever-consistent Yuri Trostenyuk from Vinnitsa,Ukraine has assumed the lead today with a solid 65.3 mile effort, all the more impressive in the third day of a heat-wave that has slowed virtually all of the other runners. Only 21 miles separate the top three runners. Temps in the low 90's and a strong sun with little cloud cover was the topic throughout, yet all the runners seemed to regale in their adaptability to heat running. Four men passed sixty miles, including the irrepressible Stutisheel Lebedyev (64.2), who has rebounded from hot days countless times throughout his 12 years entered in this race.

Two more days in the 90's await. The challenge to mind, body and spirit continues.

Baladev Pavol Saraz-2000 miles-35 days+13:52:13

Stutisheel Lebedyev-2000 miles-35 days+14:24:40

Sopan Tsekov-2000 miles-35 days+17:58:47

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin-3000 km-35 days+17:54:38

Race Director's updates

With the afternoon sun baking any immobile creature, the Sri Chinmoy 3100 Mile Race slipped past five full weeks. Only two brave souls made it past 60 miles today, the result of 95-97ºF (35-37ºC). Ashprihanal Aalto survived 113 laps(62.01 miles) to move closer to the top spot. The biggest news was that Yuri Trostenyuk tied for the lead with 64.75 miles, leveling with Atmavir Petr Spacil in the rarified air of overall lead. Yuri has been the most consistent runner of the race, not having gone lower than 63.11 miles for each of the 35 days. He has seemingly become a smart hot weather runner, which previously was a glaring weakness.

The top three men have less than 800 miles to go. It looks like any of the three could win. They are all averaging over 66 miles per day. Good luck to all ten of the warriors as they battle the last 17 days of a unique experience.

Five Week Averages:

Atmavir Petr Spacil- 66.655 miles/107.271 km per day Yuri Trostenyuk- 66.655 miles/107.271 km Ashprihanal Aalto-66.169 miles/106.489 km Vasu Duzhiy-63.723 miles/102.553 km Kaneenika Janakova-62.453 miles/100.509 km Surasa Mairer- 60.885 miles/97.985 km Baladev Pavol Saraz-55.946 miles/90.036 km Sopan Tsekov- 55.836 miles/89.860 km Stutisheel Lebedyev-55.695 miles/89.632 km Ananda-Lahari Zuscin-51.932 miles/83.576 km

Race Director's updates

The good news- the big three made it past 60 miles during a tough first day of Heat Wave 2016. Yuri Trostenyuk held court via Day Leader honors with a relentless 64.75 miles in 90ºF / 34ºC/ high humidity. He was even seen smiling as runners delicacies like papaya cubes, ice cream sticks and watermelon slices adorned the aid table. Atmavir Petr Spacil ran smoothly and efficiently throughout, pacing himself to 63.6 before calling it a night. Ashprihanal Aalto enjoys telling stories and jokes, but was feeling the best later in the evening after the sun went down. He even sported a cheese hat for a lap, after polishing off some pizza slices and apple cider. His 63.1 miles seemed pedestrian compared to his fabulous efforts last year. He was even told that on Day 29 in 2015, he was 321 miles farther along than where he was in this race. Of course he was in disbelief- maybe too much sun.

The rest of the ten heroes made their way near or past 50 miles. The worst of the heat comes saturday, but relief is not until tuesday. Carry on, oh soldiers of fortune in the world of the super-long.

Race Director's updates

The top three men were the only runners to crest 60 miles again, led this time by overall leader Atmavir Petr Spacil with 65.85 miles. The bright sun and infrequent cloud cover forced the already weary ten runners to maintain their own health profile, on a day before the real 'heatwave' is expected to arrive. The first six are still on pace to finish, but cushions of miles are fading, much like their body fat and total weight after 33 days on the road. If they can survive the next five days, then a finish is assured. We shall see who is smart, fit, and lucky. Good luck to all runners out there.

Atmavir Petr Spacil-3500 km-32 days+05:33:05

Yuri Trostenyuk-3500 km-32 days+10:03:46

Ashprihanal Aalto-3500 km-32 days+11:58:55

Surasa Mairer-2000 miles-32 days+08:53:57

Race Director's updates

The day was sunny and pleasant if you were in the shade. Humidity was lower than previous days, the cloud cover was non-existent. The top three were the only runners to cross 60 miles today. It must have been the perfect storm of fatigue, heat wave syndrome, and the recovery process just not kicking in. Somehow, Ashprihanal Aalto reached 70.24 miles to lead the pack. Atmavir Petr Spacil celebrated his birthday today(66.4 miles), so he ran well. And Yuri Trostenyuk remained steady at 63.6 miles, and many smiles.

Kaneenika Janakova ran herself into the record books, becoming the fastest woman runner in race history to reach 2000 miles. She eclipsed the 17-year-old record established by the immortal American Suprabha Beckjord in 1999. Her reward after passing this milestone was a mini Dove bar ice cream, and a reminder that she still had 1100 miles to go.

The race is relentless, if not cruel, as a former runner once penned, because each lap becomes the same, yet each lap is different. I think he meant that there is no difference in a runners' application of effort and movement, except that the goal is within one's reality, one's thoughts, and one's dreams. The so-called finish line appears at 5,649 laps, but disappears the next second. The goal is not only within you but without you.

I still don't know how they do this race.!

Kaneenika Janakova-2000 miles-new women's record- 31 days+05:54:14

Old Record- Suprabha Beckjord-1999-32 days+01:06:32

Race Director's updates

A solid month of multi-day running, and the Tenacious Ten continued their search for more miles and more fulfillment. Two men- Yuri Trostenyuk and Ashprihanal Aalto- made it past the double kilo- 2000 miles- to join leader Atmavir Petr Spacil at the front end of the train. Atmavir has gone past 2000 miles nine times in his running life, Yuri has now done it four times. The Day leader (66.4 miles) Ashprihanal Aalto, has crossed this amazing distance mark 14 times in his illustrious running career.

Kaneenika Janakova is now 117 miles ahead of her own pace last year. More impressively, she is 55 miles ahead of Surasa Mairer's all-time women's best for 3100 miles. Her level of fitness is astounding, considering the heat of the last few weeks and the pressure of constant running. There are still battles to be fought, and more heat is but a few days away. She should join the 2000 mile club tomorrow.

Stay tuned, friends, for perhaps we are witnessing another premiere performance in the making.

Ashprihanal Aalto-2000 miles-30 days+01:54:02

Vasu Duzhiy-2000 miles-30 days+15:08:27

Race Director's updates

Five of the ten runners made it over 60 miles, on a hot, sweltering day in the low 90's with a few breezes. Rain stayed for only an hour as slightly cooler air arrived. The havoc was seen on the leaderboard, as the first-place lead of Atmavir Petr Spacil fell to less than 11 miles. He had enjoyed a distance of 51 miles ahead of Yuri Trostenyuk just four days ago. Stutisheel Lebedyev became Day leader with a 64.2 effort, just a lap better than Kaneenika Janakova and Mr Trostenyuk.

No finish is guaranteed, no lead is safe when heavy heat makes its presence. In a few days more hot weather arrives. All the runners will have to utilise all their experience, savy, and smarts to get through the next hurdle.

Atmavir Petr Spacil-2000 miles-29 days+10:48:33

Yuri Trostenyuk-2000 miles-29 days+15:32:57

Kaneenika Janakova-3000 km-29 days+03:10:18

Surasa Mairer-3000 km-29 days+09:05:13

Race Director's updates

The fourth week is complete. The runners have survived nearly a month of forward movement, making conscious effort to remain poised and focused of the task at hand. Ashprihanal Aalto led the day again with 70.79 miles, his third day of 70+ miles in the last four. He is edging closer to Yuri Trostenyuk, who sits in second. Atmavir Petr Spacil is still 50 miles ahead of second place. He is averaging 68.89 miles per day(110.87 km).

The women's race has a new leader, as Kaneenika Janakova passed Surasa Mairer with 64.2 miles today. Kaneenika is averaging 63.83 miles per day(102.73 km), while Surasa has averaged 63.52 miles(102.23 km).

Yuri Trostenyuk-3000 km- 27 days+14:03:37

Ashprihanal Aalto-3000 km-27 days+17:18:45

Race Director's updates

The day was flooded with sunshine and rising humidity, making things more difficult to manage for our Terriffic Ten still in the race. Yuri Trostenyuk and Ashprihanal Aalto tied for Day leader with 65.85 miles each. They both gained over 17 miles on first place. Atmavir Petr Spacil was using discretion in the noon time sun, taking longer breaks in the afternoon. Vasu Duzhiy was back to running longer sessions, in hopes of making up some mileage lost from his deep blister issue.

Kaneenika Janakova has a firm grasp on the lead for the ladies, reaching 63.66 miles today. She has a 17 mile lead over her rival Surasa Mairer.Both ladies are averaging over 63 miles per day.

Race Director's updates

The temperature hovered in the low 90's, the humidity was thick, the breezes were scarce. The runners cautiously ran along today, very aware of the conditions, dialing back the effort to a manageable pace. Only four made it past 60 miles. Atmavir Petr Spacil and Ashprihanal Aalto both reached 68.05 miles, each man crafting plans all day to reached desired goals. Atmavir was pleased that his last lap of the day netted him 3000 km.

The women's race got hotter than the weather. Kaneenika Janakova ran 64.2 miles to inch up to Surasa Mairer. The veteran Austrian holds a delicate one lap lead over the ten years younger Miss Janakova. Surasa is still 55+ miles ahead of her pace from last year. Kaneenika is 105 miles ahead of her pace last year, in much cooler conditions. Stay tuned .....

Atmavir Petr Spacil-3000 km- 26 days+17:49:44

Race Director's updates

Medium high heat, high humidity and a short, wicked afternoon thunderstorm were enough reasons to expect shallow results. Yet the dedicated long distance runners of the 3100 Mile Race, seven of ten, made it past sixty miles again. Atmavir Petr Spacil increased his lead to nearly 47 miles with a solid 68.05 mile day. Yuri Trostenyuk hung on for 66.95 miles in second. Moving into third, and reaching 70.24 miles for the second straight day, Ashprihanal Aalto continued to build on his fitness, as well as seize another Day leader cap.

Slovakian Kaneenika Janakova moved closer to Surasa Mairer with a solid 63.1 mile jaunt, leaving herself only seven miles in arrears of the Austrian champion. Sopan Tsekov continued the quest to stay above 60 miles with a 60.36 effort.

At midnight the race was officially half complete. The top six runners are on pace to finish the 3100 miles within the 52 day time limit. The remaining four still starting and running have dreams to fulfill, and miles to make. As always, the inner quest is as bold and rewarding as the outer success or failure. the race has always been about the nobility and oneness of spirit. Good luck to the runners in the final 26 days. Let's hope the breezes will return with cool air and lots of surprises.

Race Director's updates

Eight of ten runners seized the day and ran past 60 miles, a fine output in a hazy warm day that is a precedent for a warm weekend approaching. Ashprihanal Aalto led the way with 70.2 miles, his first such foray since Day 5. Meanwhile, Atmavir padded his overall lead to 46 miles over Yuri Trostenyuk, who, by default and Vasu's deep blisters,moved into second position. Also significant is that Kaneenika Janakova has climbed to within 10 miles of ladies leader Surasa Mairer.

In seventh place, and sporting the last vestige of hope of finishing the race from the other side of the mileage divide, Sopan Tsekov has moved to within 31 miles of the mileage high-rises. He has fashioned his own streak of seven straight days above 62 miles, and God-willing, has a chance of getting level before the race ends. But a simple glance of his mileage bank account will reveal that he has no leeway for errors or bad days. He is healthy, and has pure motivation to finish within the 52 sunrises. Good luck to all.

Halfway:

Surasa Mairer-1550 miles- 24 days+01:13:27

Kaneenika Janakova- 1550 miles-24 days+04:24:30

Race Director's updates

Six of ten made it past 60 miles today. Day leader and new overalll leader Atmavir Petr Spacil reached 66.4 miles, creating a lead over second place of nearly 21 miles. Yuri Trostenyuk and Ashprihanal Aalto reached 65.3 miles. Kaneenika Janakova again reached 64.7 miles to edge closer Surasa Mairer, the defending women's champion. The weather has not been bad , though the preponderence of warm sunny days has left everyone a little -gun shy in terms of effort.

With 28 days left in the race, all movement can be focused on moving forward, The top six overall are a lock to finish- if they do not slow down too much. The rest of the field will do what they can. Sopan Tsekov and Stutisheel Lebedyev have a distant chance to finish the race if they can remain focused and stay in the positive mileage column.

Halfway-

1550 miles- Ashprihanal Aalto-23 days +07:52:20

Race Director's updates

Six of ten made it past sixty miles, with no one reaching 70 today. The boys at the front are mum, but energy is waning just a little bit, and the weather is not the culprit. Atmavir Petr Spacil has climbed to within 13 laps of first place, as Vasu Duzhiy is carefully dealing with blisters. It might be time for Ananda-Lahari, or someone, to reel off an 80 mile day, to bolster the effort at the head of the race. Good energy is contagious. Ashprihanal Aalto is still fighting a chest cold, but has stayed consistently good, while getting into shape, if that is even conceivable. Kaneenika led the dynamic ladies and their attack on their own best efforts with 64.75 miles. One very good outcome today is the rise of Sopan Tsekov, after five days over 62 miles each day, or more. He looks focused and fit, and most important- healthy this year. His deficit is still big, but with consistent running he can move closer each day to level mileage.

Halfway splits:

Vasu Duzhiy-1550 miles-22 days+02:23:27

Atmavir Spacil-1550 miles-22 days+05:34:57

Yuri Trostenyuk-1550 miles-22 days+17:42:33

Race Director's updates

Atmavir Spacil and Ashprihanal Aalto shared the Day Leader designation with 66.95 miles today. Atmavir moved to within 16 miles of leader Vasu Duzhiy, as the Russian was slowed by blisters, perhaps the result of his torrid pace in the early days of the race. Atmavir still looks relaxed. He even had his haircut by Sundar the barber, who brought his tools of the trade out to the race. Ashprihanal Aalto had his hair cut very short, then later got caught in a corn starch blizzard due to access to the mother lode of all cornstarches. Thankfully, strong winds and his own constant running helped Mr. Aalto to look more presentable as the silky white powder flew off in the air . All this, and a Day leader hat to boot.

Meanwhile, the cat and mouse game of the two lady runners is quite friendly and predictable, as both stalwarts are considerably ahead of their own best pace. They take breaks at the same time, and both are always in view of their counters- at the same time. Yet, a little gamesmanship is emerging, as either one watches to see when the other will stop for the day. Then, almost on cue, the other immediately decides to do another lap before quitting. Coincidence? Not really.

Tomorrow, the first two, and possibly three lads will go past halfway. The race is just starting. Stay tuned...

Vasu Duzhiy- 1500 miles- 21 days+03:35:57

Atmavir Petr Spacil-1500 miles-21 days+10:44:25

Race Director's updates

Cooler weather prevailed today, and with it, the opportunity to run lots of miles. Seven of the 10 runners still afloat in the race topped 60 miles, led jointly by Vasu Duzhiy and Atmavir Petr Spacil at 68.6 miles each. The two lady runners Surasa Mairer and Kaneenika Janakova both ran 64.20 miles. Sopan Tsekov reached over 65 miles for the third straight day- injury free and moving upwardly. A cloudburst soaked the course for the last two hours today, yet, the heroes marched/shuffled along their road to eternity.

Averages per day- miles/km

Vasu Duzhiy- 70.769 miles /113.691 km Atmavir Petr Spacil- 69.510 / 111.936

Yuri Trostenyuk- 67.685 / 108.928 Ashprihanal Aalto- 66.169 / 106.489

Surasa Mairer - 64.680 / 104.092 Kaneenika Janakova- 63.686 / 102.494

Stutisheel Lebedyev - 58.561 / 94.881 Sopan Tsekov - 57.597 / 92.694

Baladev Pavol Saraz -57.336 / 92.274 Ananda-Lahari Zuscin - 55.951 / 90.045

Race Director's updates

The mini heat wave ended with a brief shower and strong southerly winds this evening. The day seemed incongruous from the start as the air was still and the sun strong. But that was fuel for the fleet-footed(or foolhardy) as Ananda-Lahari Zuscin was possessed again to run fast and strong, again. At days end he had carved out 71.34 miles, and was smiling from his effort. This seemed to move everyone above and below the Mendoza Line(baseball terminology for a baseline effort) into high gear. At the closing bell, nine had crested 60 miles, Mr Zuscin leading another day. Kaneenika Janakova carved out a 64.75 mile effort.

The real sense of normality was emptied when, the day before, Volodymyr Hlushchuk was out of the race. He had endured back issues and other injuries for days. But today, after a medical visit to determine her health status, Shamita Achenbach-Konig was also out of the race. Her three day ordeal with the heat was intimidating, and under physicians care and assessment from the chief RD, she was pulled from the race. The runners can feel the emptiness when one leaves the race. He or she had become a member of an exclusive legion of running warriors. Appreciation and admiration were expressed and felt from all the remaining runners. Both runners are okay and anticipate a swift return to normal activities after a little R & R.

Meanwhile:

Yuri Trostenyuk-1300 miles-19 days+01:16:56

Ashprihanal Aalto-1300 miles-19 days+11:32:18

Surasa Mairer-2000km-19 days+02:48:14

Kaneenika Janakova-2000km-19 days+08:50:43