Another hot, humid, sunny day in New York with temperatures that rose into the 90’sF and humidity approaching 45 to 50%. This was enough for people to use caution if walking to work or having to go outdoors for any reason. The group of eight runners showed their ability and depth by having the Lanterne Rouge, Ushika Muckenhumer, no slouch and a fine runner, steal the Day Leader designation with 64.75 hard-fought miles. Ushika is hitting stride and is determined to experience the race up until the final day. He just sneaked past defending champ Vasu Duzhiy, who garnered 64.2 miles, and reached past 2700 miles for the eighth consecutive year. Smarana Puntigam had a solid day of 62.01 miles, enough to extend his tiny lead over Harita Davies to seven miles.  Ashprihanal Aalto enjoyed himself with a 63.11-mile day, and awaits a Friday morning finish as he has 210.19 miles to go. He could kick it in a little faster if the conditions were a little better, although there is danger if one pushes hard all day in the heat, even with the runners’ collective strength so far in this race. 

We will post estimated times of all finishes near the cams view on the website when it is appropriate, as well as in the blogs. 

Nirbhasa Magee- 2800 miles- 43:15:06:28

Vasu Duzhiy- 2700 miles- 43:00:11:13

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin- 2700 miles- 43:04:46:08

Todor Dimitrov- 2600 miles- 43:10:22:00

Ushika Muckenhumer- 2300 miles- 43:08:43:43

The runners showed their wares today, at least for this day, since the human body and mind can be and are fragile throughout their existence in this earthly frame. Vasu Duzhiy reminded us that he is a great runner, one of the five fastest all-time for 3100 miles, as he pushed to 72.44 miles for Day leadership. Nirbhasa Magee reached 68.6 miles, a good indicator of his full return to excellence. First placer Ashprihanal Aalto commenced with a solid 65.8 miles, including passing the 2700 mile split for the 15thtime in his career, while reminding us, perhaps, of the only Sri Chinmoy 2700 Mile Race in 1996, which preceded the 3100. The great performances today in summer conditions did not have to trickle down, as seven of eight ran past the minimum 109 laps. Ten days remain.

Ashprihanal Aalto-2700 miles- 41:00:45:42

Vasu Duzhiy-2600 miles- 41:09:38:32

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin-2600 miles- 41:10:53:37

Smarana Puntigam- 2500 miles- 41:00:07:31

Harita Davies- 2500 miles- 41:03:17:00

Todor Dimitrov- 2500 miles- 41:15:21:55

Ushika Muckenhumer- 2200 miles- 41:13:45:18

 Averages per day;         miles/kms…….

Ashprihanal Aalto-       65.777 / 105.858   

Nirbhasa Magee-           64.039/ 103.061

Vasu Duzhiy-               62.733/ 100.959

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin  62.380/ 100.391

Smarana Puntigam       60.995/   98.162

Harita Davies-                60.746/   97.762

Todor Dimitrov              59.766/  96.185

Ushika Muckenhumer  52.776/  84.935

It was a strange day, this penultimate Thursday of the race. The virtual podium runners each failed to make triple digits, an occurrence that might have happened eight years ago in 2011. The temperature hardly touched 84ºF, with moderate humidity and a few breezes around the course, suggesting more laps were available for running. And to top it off, the two lowest on the totem turned in the highest performances. Todor Dimitrov, ‘El Capitan’, turned in his best day since Day 29 to vault into the plus column by four laps, and secure his Day Leader moniker (115 laps- 63.11 miles). The caboose of the group, Ushika Muckenhumer, racked up 114 laps to reach 2100 miles, his best day since Day 2. The two men were the only runners to top 60 miles. We shall see if the rest of the group can rebound from a tough week now behind them, since this is what we all must do- forget the past, and move forward. Learn from our mistakes and carry on. Twelve days left. Thanks for the increased support everyone, and the many new visitors. Multi-day races need more support, worldwide.

Ashprihanal Aalto-2600 miles-39:01:40:13

Anada-Lahari Zuscin- 4000km-39:08:56:59; 2500 miles- 39:14:06:21

Vasu Duzhiy- 4000km- 39:16:22:16

Smarana Puntigam-2400 miles- 39:01:36:27

Harita Davies- 2400 miles- 39:10:01:17

The recovery from Heat Wave #1 was pretty quick, the results bearing good tidings from seven of the eight who reached the minimum 109 laps. Ashprihanal Aalto has solidified his hold on first place with an okay for him 65.85-mile day. He did pass the 4000km split for the 15thtime in his multi-day career. His rival and friend Vasu Duzhiy showed signs of hitting stride as he found 66.95 miles today. However, the best result today went to Slovakia’s pride- Ananda-Lahari Zuscin- who attacked the course with a brilliant 158-lap, 86.71-mile excursion. He is firmly in third place, and did not seem too tired after his great run and obvious Day Leader honor. Nirbhasa Magee made it back to being his regular self as he notched 63.1 miles. Even an early evening shower could not dampen the determination of this group. With two weeks left in the race, anything can happen, and, almost certainly will. Carry on All.

Ashprihanal Aalto-4000km- 37:05:01:13; 2500 miles-37:09:10:02

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin- 2400 miles- 37: 17:22:13

Smarana Puntigam- 2300 miles- 37:07:42:20

Harita Davies- 2300 miles-37:07:42:20

Relief and relentlessness. The description of the 3100 Mile Race on its 37thday was both that and neither. Yes, the temperatures were down nearly 20 degrees F from the previous day, yet the late morning and afternoon sun offered very little relief. The runners were reeling just a bit until the showers moved into the area. Cooling rain, life-giving rain was present just before dinner.Then the thunderstorms moved in with a bang and a boom. The explosions of thunder only emphasized the buckets of rain pouring down. Some runners dove for cover, others donned their favorite weather gear. Then the rain got outrageous, the wind picked up its fury, and the solar panels went blank. Luckily the back up generator was ready to go, but it rained harder still. Only four people stayed out to see what they could do to collect precious laps. Four runners made it past 60 miles eventually, with the storms having dumped enough water to fill a reservoir. 

Rain stayed away the last four hours of the day. Ashprihanal Aalto led all with 69.14 miles. The Finn has only 636 miles left to cover. Ananda-Lahari Zuscin briefly held third place overall, but a late rally by Vasu Duzhiy gave the Russian a slim lead of three laps as the day expired. Harita Davies was back in the 60-mile column, and she still is 42+ miles ahead of her time from 2017. Nirbhasa Magee showed signs of returning to form, and holds a lead of 43 miles over his best finish from 2017. More rain is in the forecast for Tuesday.  Good Luck runners.

Ashrihanal Aalto- 2400 miles-36:01:15:00

Nirbhasa Magee- 2400 miles-36:15:11:41

Vasu Duzhiy-2300 miles-36:13:40:42

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin-2300 miles- 36:13:21:28

Harita Davies- 2200 miles-36:03:32:00

Todor Dimitrov- 2200 miles- 36:16:51:18

Ushika Muckenhumer- 1900 miles- 36:00:40:31

Okay, this one was hotter than normal summer days in New York. The stiffling air, temps hovering around 97º (37-38ºC), and humidity index reaching 107 was enough to tell people to slow down, drink lots of liquids and stay out of the sun. The thought of running 50 to 60 miles in this sauna was difficult to imagine. Three people made it past 60 miles, with Nirbhasa Magee grabbing the Day Leader honor with 66.4 miles. Ananda-Lahari Zuscin continued to pressure for third place with a very solid 63.11 miles. Ashprihanal Aalto ran cautiously, but also enjoyed watching the annual handball tournament at the courts right near the race course, swamped with avid spectators looking for the best view. He said he never stopped completely, but looked for quick openings of the crowds to quickly maneuver around the spectators. He said you have to learn stealth technology like the ninjas do! (wink). Stay cool runners…

Ashprihanal Aalto-2300 miles-34:09:59:58

Nirbhasa Magee-2300 miles- 34:17:32:34

Harita Davies-2100 miles- 34:08:13:38

Todor Dimitrov-2100 miles- 34:17:49:05

Ushika Muckenhumer-1800 miles- 34:00:11:47

Yes, it is the start of a significant heat wave in the New York area, one in which we have not seen in several years. The runners had been advised of the news, and watched as Big Bertha, the famous oversize receptacle for runner immersion was hauled into place by three men in the middle of the afternoon. It helps to cool down a fatiqued runner. The sun was intense all day, 93º F with southerly winds bringing in humidity drenched clouds from time to time. Ashprihanal Aalto wasted no time in running at a brisk pace for hours at a stretch, hiding the fact that he has gotten into shape and his maladies of back and leg injuries are now gone in the rear view mirror. Nirbhasa Magee gave chase, but the wiry Mr Aalto ended up staying for the whole 18 hours and securing 73.53 miles, his best day total since Day 1. He even found a feather to adorn his Chinese sun hat, dubbed the ‘Lampshade’. Meanwhile, seven of eight made it past 109 laps, 59.81 miles, the dividing line of positive outcome. 

Tomorrow will be worse, and all personnel are on weather alert. This group of runners is veteran and strong-willed. I hope they use caution and stay healthy and safe. We shall see what Ma Nature has cooked up. 

Ashprihanal Aalto-2200 miles- 33:02:08:47

Nirbhasa Magee-2200 miles- 33:08:38:47

Vasu Duzhiy- 2100 miles- 33:04:10:24

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin-2100 miles- 33:08:03:10

Smarana Puntigam- 2100 miles- 33:17:15:53

Todor  Dimitrov- 2000 miles- 33:04:49:45

It was difficult from the start today. The sun was baking everything early and often, the traffic, if not heading to work was trending to the beaches, the humidity and cloud cover made it difficult to move without sweating a lot. The mercury peaked towards 95ºF ( 35ºC), and the doom and gloom on the radio was for an upcoming weekend of intense heat.  The runners responded by continuing their trend of acquiring laps the old fashioned way- they run them. Nirbhasa Magee grabbed the Day Leader designation by two laps over a rejuvenated Ashprihanal Aalto, decreasing the lead to 38 laps. The evening was punctuated by a series of thunderstorms, started off by the fierce winds of a changing storm-front. The solar panel power was short-circuited, but just like the back–up generator, six of the eight runners made it past the secret Maginot Line of 109 laps before the midnight hour. Temperatures dropped by 20 degrees in a few hours. More storms will start off Thursday, but the determination of the proud runners is a sight to behold.

Ashprihanal Aalto-2100 miles- 31:11:50:50

Nirbhasa Magee-2100 miles- 31:17:55:57

Vasu Duzhiy-2000 miles- 31:10:02:22

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin-2000 miles- 31:16:49:27

Harita Davies- 1900 miles- 31:03:06:30

The heat, the miles, the surface all seemed to jump up and grab some of the runners. After 30 days there will always be signs for anyone and everyone in the race to chill out a bit, let the body heal just a little more. Hydrate, eat, survive. Five of the Eight did make it past 60 miles. Yes, the usual suspects- Vasu Duzhiy and Ashprihanal Aalto touched 68 miles, Nirbhasa Magee racked up 65.8, and Harita Davies reached 62+ miles. Ah, but the fifth runner to slide past 60 miles did it with style and speed, dazzling at times, after a month on the road. Yes, Ananda-Lahari Zuscin was the man to go 72.99 miles, and dive into fourth place head-first while claiming the Day Leader ribbon. This was the first place-change on the board in almost three weeks, and comes before a mini heat spell hits the metro area. Mr Aalto looked much better today, almost his old self, which will be imposing to the would–be contenders for top dog. Stay tuned folks, and stay cool in the Northern hemisphere, if you can.

Nirbhasa Magee-1900 miles- 29:00:29:13

Vasu Duzhiy- 3000km- 29:08:39:04

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin- 1800 miles- 29:00:17:31; 3000km- 29:15:09:14

Harita Davies-1800 miles- 29:10:49:20

Todor Dimitrov- 1800 miles- 29:16:01:15