The group of 12 started the day in earnest, since heat had affected all in some way or another. Atmavir Spacil grabbed Day honors with 66.95 miles. Eight runners went past sixty miles, but none had any inclination of going beyond 70. Surasa Mairer once again led the distaff side with 65.3. She is remarkably 71 miles ahead of her record pace of 2015. Today was less sunny and the temps were slightly less than wednesday, the humidity has moved into the region, so excect more suffering.

Vasu Duzhiy-1300 miles-18 days+02:09:30

Atmavir Petr Spacil-1300 miles-18 days+11:35:15

Yuri Trostenyuk-2000km-18 days+02:48:51

Ashprihanal Aalto-2000km-18 days+14:54:21

Race Director's updates

The runners of the 3100 Mile race are a little cautious about heat. New York heat can stiffle your effort, fry your brain, drain your muscles, deplete your sodium content and make you wish you were in the Catskills, or even further north. Today was a test of wit and use of all the tools at your fingertips. Everyone moved along nicely, as the mercury rose above 90ºF, and the humidity started to climb. Ice was frequent, heat guard tablets and Himalayan salt and mint coolers were at hand, fruits of all sorts were available,and generous donors brought all sorts of ice cream. Ashprihanal Aalto, the wily Fin, had been fighting a chest cold for over three days, yet wound up with Day leader laurels, the result of 65.85 miles of guarded, yet spirited effort. Kaneenika Janakova led the ladies with 64.20 miles. Two men went past 2000 km, and three more passed the 1000 mile mark. Temperatures should be a little less hot for the next several days, but you never know in the Big Apple.

Vasu Duzhiy-2000km-17 days+03:58:59

Atmavir Petr Spacil-2000km-17 days+14:25:08

Baladev Pavol Saraz-1000 miles-17 days+09:27:13

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin-1000 mile-17 days+12:30:59

Sopan Tsekov-1000 miles-17 days+12:40:30

Books you might find interesting...

Sport and Meditation

Inner secrets to get the most out of training and competing

About the author:

Nirbhasa is originally from Ireland but currently lives in Reykjavik, Iceland. He is an enthusiastic multi-day runner, having completed four times the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race - the longest race in the world.

Yet another nice report from Matthias Van Baaren detailing the second week of the race. We are now using Matthias' odometer layout in our new charts to give you yet another perspective on how the runners are doing! Thank you Matthias.

Full PDF downloadable here »

Race Director's updates

With much inspiration from a short skit about past great American presidents and philosophers, the group of 12 ran through Fourth of July mirth, firecrackers, bottle rockets, fireworks in the night sky, and a deluge of rain to cap the day. This was ironic, in that not one of the runners is a native of the US, yet their acknowlegement of American philosophical ingenuity and goodness became self evident. Vasu Duzhiy continued his fine run at the top with 69.14 miles, followed closely by Atmavir Petr Spacil with 68.6. The two fine lady athletes Surasa Mairer and Kaneenika Janakova continued their excellence with 64.75 miles each. Not to be outdone on Independence Day, Ananda-Lahari Zuscin blazed to 70.24 miles, including an all-out final lap of less than 3:00 minutes in the pouring rain.

Ashprihanal Aalto-1000 miles-15 days+02:26:06

Surasa Mairer-1000 miles-15 days+06:43:30

Kaneenika Janakova-1000 miles-15 days+12:29:53

Race Director's updates

The runners took advantage of another day of sub-normal temperatures to attain some good mileage. Vasu Duzhiy again placed a 71.3 mile day on his scorecard, the eleventh of his last twelve. He is averaging 72.4 miles per day. Both Atmavir Spacil and Yuri Trostenyuk went past the 1000 mile mark- Atmavir for the ninth time in his career, Yuri for the fourth time. Atmavir smoothly reached 69.7 before calling it a day; Yuri was happy with 65.85 miles.

Surasa Mairer and Kaneenika Janakova are having a great time watching each other move along nicely. Today they both did 64.75 miles, and finished only minutes apart. If this trend continues they could push each other to greater heights and faster times. They should both reach 1000 miles tomorrow.

Stutisheel Lebedyev is doing well, getting close to equalizing his mileage in the positive column. He started Day 4 nearly 30 miles behind pace. At the end of today he is within four miles of the positive line.

Atmavir Petr Spacil-1000 miles-14 days+03:21:48

Yuri Trostenyuk-1000 miles-14 days+08:51:25

Race Director's updates

After two weeks on a road course in the neighborhood in Queens,NY., Vasu Duzhiy leads the 20th Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race with 1014.73 miles. He is averaging 72.48 miles per day(116.65km). He passed the 1000 mile split today in 13 days+14:35:35, which is 22 hours,29 seconds faster than his previous best. Mr Duzhiy has increased his lead over second place by nearly 30 miles.

Surasa Mairer leads the trio of ladies in the race with 908.81 miles. She is averaging 64.91 miles per day(104.47 km).

The runners enjoyed fair skies, moderate temperatures and lower humidity today. The forecast looks similar for the next three days, which should help mileage expectations.

About the author:

WEEK 2: June 26 to July 2, 2016

	Place	Runner	Day 8	Day 9	Day 10	Day 11	Day 12	Day 13	Day 14
Men:
	1	Vasu Duzhiy	595.45	667.34	737.59	807.83	878.08	943.39
		day total	71.89	71.89	70.25	70.24	70.25	65.31
	2	Atmavir Petr Spacil	578.98	647.58	716.18	784.78	852.29	915.95
		day total	60.36	68.6	68.6	68.6	67.51	63.66
	3	Yuri Trostenyuk	566.36	633.32	701.37	768.87	835.82	901.68
		day total	67.5	66.96	68.05	67.5	66.95	65.86
	4	Ashprihanal Aalto	551	616.85	682.71	745.82	812.22	873.14
		day total	68.06	65.85	65.86	63.11	66.4	60.92
	5	Sopan Tsekov	484.04	544.96	604.78	665.69	726.06	776.55
		day total	60.92	60.92	59.82	60.91	60.37	50.49
	6	Stutisheel Lebedyev	447.82	513.68	579.53	637.16	700.27	765.58
		day total	63.66	65.86	65.85	57.63	63.11	65.31
	7	Ananda-Lahari Zuscin	514.77	560.32	611.36	656.36	703.56	748.56
		day total	49.39	45.55	51.04	45	47.2	45
	8	Baladev Pavol Saraz	461.54	519.16	576.79	634.41	688.2	746.37
		day total	56.53	57.62	57.63	57.62	53.79	58.17
	9	Volodymyr Hlushchuk	473.07	521.36	559.78	607.52	645.94	690.94
		day total	26.9	48.29	38.42	47.74	38.42	45
Women:
	1	Surasa Mairer (F)	517.52	592.28	648.68	714.54	779.3	843.51
		day total	64.21	74.76	56.4	65.86	64.76	64.21
	2	Kaneenika Janakova (F)	503.8	567.46	631.67	696.43	760.09	824.3
		day total	63.66	63.66	64.21	64.76	63.66	64.21
	3	Shamita Achenbach-Konig (F)	493.92	556.48	620.14	684.9	745.27	805.64
		day total

Race Director's updates

The runners are settling in, their tasks are clear, if not formidable. Do as much mileage as possible, within the strict timeframe- without incurring injury. Today's test was offered by Mother Nature in the form of a line of thunder and rainstorms that moved into the area right at suppertime. The runners responded as best they could, overcoming torrential rain at various intervals. Yuri Trostenyuk persevered the best and won day honors with 65.8 miles. Surasa Mairer and Kaneenika Janakova tied for women's day leader with 64.21 miles. Estimates topped 2 inches of rain on the course over a period of a few hours. Somehow eight runners moved past sixty miles. Eight are still on pace to finish, with 39 days remaining. Vasu is sixty miles ahead of his personal best from last year. Surasa is 64 miles ahead of her record pace from last year. The race is still young, though, with many days and nights to determine the finishers. Stay tuned, as the first brave souls will move past 1000 miles and more in the next few days.

Race Director's updates

Vasu Duzhiy kept his seventy-mile streak intact with eight straight(70.24 again) and increased his lead to 23+ miles over second place. He is currently 69 miles ahead of his pace from last year when he was third on the podium in 44 days, eight hours. His dedication and focus are ideal, his stride smooth, his gaze exact, humour is just under the surface, too. 73.44 miles per day(118.19km) will help give you confidence, as well.

Atmavir Peter Spacil is running a very good race again. He is averaging 71.34 miles per day(114.82) and is the most relaxed of the five men contending for a win. Sopan Tsekov from Bulgaria is also having a good race, and is staying low key, and under-the -radar so to speak. He stands at 60. 56 miles per day and hopes to stay healthy without drinking a full pot of coffee per day. All power to him. The top eight runners all went past 60 miles again.

A hot sun poured through a clear sky. The sunshine was very intense in the afternoon, so the smart ones backed off until six or seven pm. Temps were moderate with the high 84ºF.

Shamita Achenbach-Konig-1000km-10 days+00:22:37

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin-1000km-10 days+03:38:52

Sopan Tsekov-1000km-10 days+04:45:14

Stutisheel Lebedyev-1000km-10 days+11:52:13

Race Director's updates

A cooler, overcast day prevailed as the intrepid dozen runners moved along the sidewalk course of the 3100 Mile Race. After ten days, injuries and fatigue have spread out the field and dropped some down the list. The top three are all averaging 70 miles, with Vasu Duzhiy leading everyone with 737.58 miles. The three women have taken over spots five, six and seven over-all. Surasa Mairer is averaging a crisp 64.8 miles per day, Kaneenika Janakova is at 63.1 miles every day, and Shamita Achenbach-Konig resides at 62.01 miles per day. Stutisheel Lebedev of Kiev, Ukraine has extricated himself from the cellar of the standings with three consecutive good days, reducing his mileage deficit by more than half. With six weeks to go in the race anything can happen, but the runners are moving with purpose, and dreaming of that perfect day ahead of them.

Ashprihanal Aalto-1000km-9 days+01:06:35

Surasa Mairer-1000km-9 days+09:29:33

Kaneenika Janakova-1000km-9 days+14:56:27

Race Director's updates

It was a strange day at the race for sure, but nothing that the runners had never seen before. Vasu Duzhiy kept his poise and rhythm while running, and extended his lead to 20 miles with another 71.89 mile day. He and his fellow runners had to endure the last day of classes(!) from Thomas Edison Vocational High School, with busy students going to and fro all morning, with some in fast cars buzzing around the streets to show off their toys. This was nothing compared to the athletic competitons/hip hop music blaring across the street on the track of former Jamaica High School, now sub-divided into four to sixteen pilot schools, with live announcers and DJ's wailing away for five straight hours whilst young students ran, danced, had tug of wars and relay races. The cacaphony gave way to changing skies and brisk winds blowing in from different directions in the late afternoon. Finally rain drops appeared for the first time as the sun hid from the sky, followed by more and more showers near the day end. The results left Surasa Mairer(64.7 miles) in fifth place, and Kaneenika Janakova in sixth (63.6 miles). In all, nine runners avoided crashes, smashes, constant cacaphony, stiff winds, rain drops, intense showers, a power outage,and wet shoes to pass sixty miles. All in a days' work. Have a great summer/winter in whatever hemisphere you reside, friends.

Vasu Duzhiy-1000 km- 8 days+06:02:25; Atmavir Petr Spacil-1000 km- 8 days+10:52:45; Yuri Trostenyuk-1000 km- 8 days+14:58:14

About the author:

	Place	Runner	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6	Day 7
Men:
	1	Vasu Duzhiy	82.87	155.86	223.36	297.45	370.99	447.27	523.56
		day total	82.87	72.99	67.5	74.09	73.54	76.28	76.29
	2	Atmavir Petr Spacil	83.97	159.7	233.24	305.13	377.57	447.82	518.62
		day total	83.97	75.73	73.54	71.89	72.44	70.25	70.8
	3	Yuri Trostenyuk	80.12	152.02	222.81	291.96	360.56	430.26	498.86
		day total	80.12	71.9	70.79	69.15	68.6	69.7	68.6
	4	Ashprihanal Aalto	80.12	144.33	213.48	280.44	351.78	416.54	482.94
		day total	80.12	64.21	69.15	66.96	71.34	64.76	66.4
	5	Ananda-Lahari Zuscin	84.52	159.7	227.2	291.96	357.27	410.5	465.38
		day total	84.52	75.18	67.5	64.76	65.31	53.23	54.88
	6	Volodymyr Hlushchuk	74.09	139.94	206.35	271.11	332.57	390.2	446.17
		day total	74.09	65.85	66.41	64.76	61.46	57.63	55.97
	7	Sopan Tsekov	70.25	130.61	190.98	246.96	307.33	362.76	423.12
		day total	70.25	60.36	60.37	55.98	60.37	55.43	60.36
	8	Baladev Pavol Saraz	68.05	122.93	180.01	237.08	296.35	349.59	405.01
		day total	68.05	54.88	57.08	57.07	59.27	53.24	55.42
	9	Stutisheel Lebedyev	70.25	114.7	145.98	201.41	263.42	326.54	384.16
		day total	70.25	44.45	31.28	55.43	62.01	63.12	57.62
Women:
	1	Surasa Mairer (F)	70.25	134.46	200.31	263.97	325.99	389.1	453.31
		day total	70.25	64.21	65.85	63.66	62.02	63.11	64.21
	2	Kaneenika Janakova (F)	75.19	135	194.28	255.19	316.11	377.03	440.14
		day total	75.19	59.81	59.28	60.91	60.92	60.92	63.11
	3	Shamita Achenbach-Konig (F)	66.95	123.48	185.49	245.86	306.78	369.89	431.91
		day total	66.95	56.53	62.01	60.37	60.92	63.11	62.02

About the author:

Matthias van Baaren has been giving us these beautiful graphics reports for quite a few years now! He has just sent us a 23-page graphic report detailing the entire first week of the race, you can see a few of the pages in the slideshow above.

The full PDF is available to view here »

Race Director's updates

Vasu Duzhiy wasted little time in extending his lead in the 3100 Mile Race today, running 71.89 miles while winning Day honors again. He has increased his lead to 16 miles. What is also interesting is that he is 63.3 miles ahead of his personal best from 2015, when he cruised to a personal best by almost three days. Surasa Mairer has moved up to fifth overall with a quality 64.21 mile day. She is averaging 64.69 miles per day(104.108km), and is 47 miles ahead of her record pace last year. The first nine runners are all on pace to finish. Ashprihanal Aalto had the second best total today with 68+ miles. He will be a player in the overall standings if his fitness level continues to rise.

Volodymyr Hlushchuk from Vinnitsa, Ukraine suffered a setback when he had supposed back spasms that prevented him from moving at all. An alert physician diagnosed kidney issues that were resolved with medicine and water intake. He was able to get back on the course at 4:00 pm and continued on until midnight. His diagnosis looks fine and his resolve is to continue. Luckily he has only a small deficit to remain on pace.

Race Director's updates

The first week of the 3100 Mile Race is complete, with another familiar face at the top. Vasu Duzhiy from St. Petersburg, Russia leads everyone with 523.55 miles., after a second consecutive 76.28 mile day. He is averaging 74.79 miles per day(120.37 km). Mr Duzhiy won the race in 2013, and has much more experience and lustre to his credit as competitor and athlete. Atmavir Petr Spacil from Czech Republic is in second place at 518.6 miles, as once again he tallied over 70 miles, his seventh straight day of excellence. Yuri Trostenyuk from the Ukraine sits in third place with 498 miles, but is almost 20 miles back of second. Ashprihanal Aalto, eight-time winner of the race, dwells in fourth place, hoping maybe his legs and stamina will come back and say hello. Surasa Mairer of Vienna Austria has moved into sixth place overall, first lady, with a solid week of 453.3 miles. She is running 64.76 miles per day (104.22 km).

The first 10 runners are all above the necessary mileage marks needed to finish 3100 miles. The pleasant, clear weather should last another day or two, so look for more fine performances as the runners are physically adapting to the daily schedule of run, eat, sleep, and repeat, with of course, emphasis on run and repeat. Thanks to all our friends for your support and assurance. Six and a half more weeks left in the journey. Carpe Diem.

Race Director's updates

It was sunny and pleasant with lower humidity, but a tricky-hot sun offered no respite throughout the afternoon. Vasu Duzhiy thrilled with a late run to reach 76.28 miles, and top off a six-day split with 447.27 miles, a mere lap behind Czech Republic leader Atmavir Petr Spacil, who fashioned a 70.24 mile day to keep his '70's' streak intact. Mr Spacil opened with a 16-day 70+ mile streak last year in this race, which placed him behind only the enventual winner and record-holder until the 17th day.

Today only eight runners made it past 60 miles for the day- a testament to the difficulty of getting used to such a formidable distance in a compressed format. The three women in the race flourished in the pleasant, cool evening air and little wind. Surasa Mairer reached 389 miles for six days and looks in control of her race. Kaneenika Janakova looked solid all day and is very focused on her running gait being as efficient as possible. Shamita Achenbach-Konig looked like a veteran super-long runner, staying until nearly midnight and reaching 63.11 miles for the day.

Six Day Splits

Atmavir Petr Spacil-447.82(720.69 km); Vasu Duzhiy-447.27(719.81km); Yuri Trostenyuk-430.25(692.43km)

Ashprihanal Aalto-416.53(670.35km);Ananda-Lahari Zuscin-410.50(660.63km);Volodymyr Hlushchuk-390.19(627.96km)

Surasa Mairer-389.09(626.19km);Kaneenika Janakova-377.02(606.76km);Shamita Achenbach-Konig-369.89(595.28km)

Sopan Tsekov-362.75(583.80km);Baladev Pavol Saraz-349.58(562.60km);Stutisheel Lebedyev-326.53(525.50km).

Race Director's updates

On a mostly cloudy day with nary a raindrop, eleven of 12 runners made it past the 60 mile barrier by end of day. The 12th runner was only 2 laps shy of 60 miles, and only two laps shy of being on pace to finish. But no one talks about finish in these early days. It is about settling in, and getting used to the grind of daily miles. The humidity was moderate, but the runners responded, as Atmavir Petr Spacil continued the front-runner with 72.44 miles today(377.57 total). He has been the only runner to be over 70 miles on every day so far. Vasu Duzhiy lurks 6 miles back after another day leader effort-73.53 miles. Yuri Trostenyuk moved into third place overall with 68.6 miles, and Ashprihanal Aalto had some snap in his legs to get to 71.34 miles- his best day since Day 1. Surasa Mairer again led the ladies with 62.01 miles(325.9 total), as all three women hurdled the 60 mile barrier with time still left on the clock.

The first ten runners all have a cushion of miles above the standard daily total needed to finish the race. It is early to predict anything about this race, but the group in the race this year are moving along nicely. Even injured Stutisheel Lebedyev was feeling frisky enough to get over 100 km for the day. He has plenty of time to erase a 37 mile deficit, and the experience to keep moving will land him in the majority that is on pace. Stay tuned, as the six day splits arrive tomorrow.

Race Director's updates

The runners of the 3100 Mile Race face obstacles that most athletes rarely face in a running competition. The long days on the road spent moving, on concrete, in hot weather. The pressure of running 59.617 miles per day, required to be able to finish within the 52 day time limit. The first week or two of the race can be described as the break-in period- the body, and sometimes the mind, start to adapt to the heavy workload with an athletic response. Injuries- particularly blisters and shin splints- lurk around the unprepared if their trainining has not been thorough and full of experience.

With those thoughts in mind, one can appreciate the totals acrued so far. Atmavir Petr Spacil remains atop the leader boards with 305.1 miles after four days, averaging 76 miles per day. Vasu Duzhiy from Russia has reached second place today with a fine run of 74.08 miles. Ananda-Lahari Zuscin, the surprise early leader of the race remains tied with Yuri Trostenyuk for third place with 291.96 miles. Record -holder Ashprihanal Aalto from Finland resides in fifth place, an uncommon spot for him, but he is building his body back up from last year while still averaging 70.1 miles per day. Surasa Mairer, the queen of the women's contingent and another returning champion, leads by eight miles over the strong competitor Kaneenika Janakova.

Race Director's updates

On a mostly sunny day in the mid-eighties, Czech Republican Atmavir Peter Spacil separated himself from first-day leader Ananda-Lahari Zuscin by running 73.53 miles. The Slovakian could only muster 67.5 to hold on to second place. Yuri Trostenyuk was the only other runner to reach 70 miles today, yet nine of the dozen stayed above 60 miles once again.

Surasa Mairer led the ladies with a solid 65.8 miles. Eleven of the starting 12 are on daily pace, but the race has 49 days left, enough for a lifetime of ups and downs, discoveries and dilemmas. This is the essence of sport, and ultimately life. It is how we live and respond that makes life meaningful, and sport temporarily useful. Tomorrow is another day, another chance…to move forward.

Race Director's updates

After trailing Slovakian Ananda-Lahari Zuscin by a scant lap after one day, Atmavir Petr Spacil reversed the favor and tied Mr Zuscin with the same number laps after two days. Both men stand at 159.70 miles, just shy of 80 miles a day. Vasu Duzhiy remained in third with another 72+ mile day. Yuri Trostenyuk from Ukraine pulled into fourth place with a fine 71.89 miles. He is averaging 76 miles per day. Ashprihanal Aalto stands in fifth place, an unlikely position, but given his all-time great performance last year, he gets a flyer from this observer. His legs don't have the spring and his astounding long-distance resume predicts a little more human level of performance. He is still averaging 72+ miles a day.

Austrian Surasa Mairer climbed within one lap of Kaneenika Janakova of Slovakia with a fine 64.21 mile day. Both ladies are averaging 67 miles per day. Watch out fellas!

In all, eight runners passed the 60 mile mark, with the top four men cresting 70+.

The hazy sunshine gave way to bright skies in the middle of the day, as the summer solstice arrived in New York just after 6:00PM EDT. Have a great summer, oh Northern Hemisphere.