The Group of Eight are moving along nicely, reaching fitness, overcoming small injuries or blisters, and finding a rhythm that is essential for multi-day progress. The Race that requires ‘wicked’ good discipline, attention to detail, and a steely determination, also allows for ‘light’ moments, when the childlike play adds to the lap total. Every time your mind takes a backseat it seems to lessen the stress, or, at least enlivens the conversation, which, in itself, is a good thing.

Case in point, the falsified certificate of appreciation by a sneaky helper or two led to laps of cute, or innocent banter- aka- the mythical level made us all laugh. Hence, Ashprihanal Aalto quipped, while heading towards a fine 71.34 mile day, and fourth consecutive Day Leader honor, that the subject person on the falsified document was asked’ how many pushups he did. Answer: ‘All of them’.

Mr Vasu Duzhiy rebounded from a rare off day with 65.3 miles. The humble champion also reached the 1000km split for the 10thtime in his running career. In all, 7 of 8 made it to and beyond 60 miles, even as the temps climbed to the mid-80’s, with a rise in humidity as well. Finally, Harita Davies is knocking on the door of 7thplace with her fourth straight 60+ day. Smiles Indeed.

Vasu Duzhiy- 1000km- 8:17:00:55

Race Director's updates

Five runners made it past 60 miles today, as the mercury reached 83 ºF. Humidity was only in the high 30%, so laps were available throughout. Fitness was on the rise, but much like the stock market reveals uncertainty, runners experienced corrections taken by their bodies, as the journey is still developing. Ashprihanal Aalto was Day leader for the third straight day with 65.3 miles, followed by the surging Nirbhasa Magee with 63.11 miles. Harita Davies had third best totals with 62.01 miles. She is definitely moving at a faster, more efficient pace.

Ashprihanal Aalto- 500 miles- 7:06:31:18

Nirbhasa Magee- 500 miles- 7:09:15:36

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin-500miles- 7:10:49:05

Smarana Puntigam- 500 miles- 7:12:03:31

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Race Director's updates

A deluge greeted the runners this morning, but the end came finally after six days of precipitation. The wind increased, the gray skies moved faster, the rain disappeared and the sun made a lasting impression on the longest day of the year. Ashprihanal Aalto took back five laps from the leader Vasu Duzhiy with his 65+ mile day, enough to lead the Day. Nirbhasa Magee moved into third place with a solid 65+ miles. He has been at about 65+ miles for every day. The clear skies, afternoon and evening, created more running opportunities. Five of eight runners jumped past 60 miles, with the top six all being on pace to reach the mythical goal of 3100 miles. Forty-six days still left to entertain and enlighten one’s inner and outer beings. Six day totals below.

Vasu Duzhiy- 436.84 mi/ 703.03km

Ashprihanal Aalto- 405.56mi/ 652.69km

Nirbhasa Magee- 401.17mi/ 645.62km

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin- 398.42mi/641.20km

Smarana Puntigam- 396.78mi/638.55km

Ushika Muckenhumer- 359.46mi/ 578.50km

Todor Dimitrov- 343.54mi/ 552.88km

Harita Davies- 338.60mi/ 544.93km

In the Media

About the author:

Rupantar has been the race director of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team since 1985, having been asked by Sri Chinmoy to serve in that capacity. As well as working on the big races the US Marathon Team organise each year - the 3100 Mile Race and the Six and 10 Day Race - he also spends a considerable amount of time archiving the Marathon Team's 40 year history on this website.

One of the most insightful and revealing stories about the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100-Mile Race appeared on the home page of the prestigious BBC.COM this past Friday, June 21. Including interviews with past and present runners, the article gives the reader a runner's insight into why anyone would want to run for 52 days around a New York City block, and what the experience is like for these pioneer ultra runners.

The article is written by long time reporter Justin Goulding of BBC Sports, under the Sport Insight section.

From the article: "It is a race so long that runners need a haircut during it. They can get through 20 pairs of shoes. They run more than two marathons a day. For almost two months. On five hours of sleep a night."

For the complete article...

Race Director's updates

On another consecutive day of rain, Vasu Duzhiy widened his lead in the 3100 Mile Race to almost 33 miles over second place Ananda-Lahari Zuscin. The only one to give chase to Vasu was Ashprihanal Aalto. Rounding into form and overcoming bothersome blisters and the lack of extra gear, Mr Aalto had 68 hard-earned miles to Vasu’s 70.2. Ananda-Lahari thrilled anyone watching the race in the last two hours of the day as he rattled off laps of sub-six minutes, five minutes and a pair of 4:39’ers, in essence holding off a slow charging (for him) Ashprihanal for second overall. Nirbhasa Magee nudged into fourth place with another very good day of 65.8 miles. The top five men were also the only runners to go past 60 miles for the day. The last threat of rain ended with an appearance of the Sun and several rainbows. Welcome summer solstice to the Northern Hemisphere. Friday will be the longest day of the year.

300 Miles split

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin- 4+05:46:33

Ashprihanal Aalto- 4+07:36:59

Smarana Puntigam- 4+06:55:00

Nirbhasa Magee- 4+07:38:52

Ushika Muckenhumer- 4+17:33:40

Race Director's updates

The band of Eight have had their share of bands of moisture the last three days, today being the 98% humidity day and night. Vasu Duzhiy continued on, oblivious to the weather or a sense of struggle. He, being fit enough to throw down 71.3 miles on the fourth day, leads Ananda-Lahari Zuscin by nearly 24 miles. Ashprihanal Aalto struggled again, reaching a modest 57.6 miles whilst slipping to fourth overall, with the trailing runner Nirbhasa Magee only three laps behind the Finn. Smarana Puntigam looks fit again, and with a 62.5 mile day has risen to third place. Only four runners reached 60 miles. Several runners have blister issues due to relentless moisture and little time to heal. Normal for a slog fest, but a bit unusual for this very long competition. Luckily, there are still 48 days to go.

Vasu Duzhiy- 300 miles- 3:17:15:51

Race Director's updates

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, 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

Race Director's updates

Ponchos, large umbrellas, puddles galore, and a steady to heavy rain lasting over eight hours could not stop our eight heroes. But these things did slow the wagon down a little. Vasu Duzhiy led the way with 69.6 strong, steady miles, and limited his stretching breaks, instead taking a rare nap to conserve energy. Ashprihanal Aalto looked a little better today, reaching 66.4 miles, patching up rare blisters, and dumping his Hokas in favor of his old faves, the Adidas Boosts and Blasts. By evening he looked a little better. The temps stayed just around 70 degrees. Five runners made it past 60 miles. Still a long way to go.

Vasu Duzhiy is averaging 77.38 miles/day

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin- 72.62 miles

Ashprihanal Aalto 71.34 miles

Smarana Puntigam 70.42 miles

Nirbhasa Magee 67.86 miles

Ushika Muckenhumer 64.57 miles

Todor Dimitrov 60.36 miles

Harita Davies 59.08 miles

Race Director's updates

On a sometimes grey, overcast day, Vasu Duzhiy, the two-time defending champ, showed his fitness in a significant way, posting 79.02 miles to grab the lead. Ashprihanal Aalto looked a little sluggish and bothered a bit by a swollen right eye. He lost 30 laps to the Russian. Ananda-Lahari Zuscin from Slovakia also slipped by with another solid 74.08-mile day, and into second place. Smarana Puntigam, the returning Austrian record-holder, came within one lap of Mr Aalto as well. Thus it was as if the three men had almost formed a pincer movement on the poor Finn as he went home early. But, being only Day 2, it was just a tease. Everyone knows that if Mr. AA can weather the storm and gain fitness, in a week or two, he just might unleash his amazing capacity… or not. It all depends if he wants to.

Meanwhile, Nirbhasa Magee fashioned a 68.6-mile day to move from seventh to fifth. Only Kiwi Harita Davies missed reaching 60 miles, but not by much. She is in such great spirits that her fitness may come sooner than last time, and with a great support crew, she just might set a new best. It could even be a clean sheet for the entire group, but, this writer and the staff may be a bit too optimistic for that to happen. But, like the runners, we can at least dream the dream, right? Stay tuned!

Race Director's updates

Eight seasoned runners left the startline Sunday morning at precisely 6:00am, answering the call of the 23rd Annual Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race whilst drawing a crowd of nearly 150 people to the confines of the Joe Austin Playground, the perimeters of Thomas A Edison Vocational Career Technical School, and a placid 84th Avenue in Jamaica, Queens New York. The runners were mostly seasoned veterans of the extreme multi-day experience in running, having traversed the concrete colossus that is this race course (.5488 of a mile/883.2079 meters) nearly 5649 times in each year for over two decades. The group was led by the Finnish eight-time winner Ashprihanal Aalto, the course record holder and World leader all-time for this distance (3100 miles in 40 days+09:06:21). He was followed by defending three-time champ Vasu Duzhiy from Russia, and Slovakian Ananda-Lahari Zuscin, he of five finishes in this difficult race. Mr Aalto ended up running to midnight with 85.06 miles, three laps clear of Mr Vasu’s 83.41 miles. Ananda-Lahari held on with 82.32 miles. The weather was temperamental all day, ranging from hot sun to overcast, to spitting raindrops to bright skies and humid conditions. By day’s end, all had topped 70 miles except for the lone lady Harita Davies, who reached 68 miles before ending her day. Tomorrow is another day; the currency of choice is laps collected, and saved like pennies in a piggy bank. The aspiring runner knows their value; his or her effort demands their full attention, else the Goal is far away. But just one day at a time is the steady approach. Good luck to all runners out there.