The mercury might have touched 82ºF, the air was low in humidity, breathing was easier- all elements of a fine summer day. And summer it is in New York, as the 3100 Mile race continues amidst the solstice changeover of the longest day of the year. Vasu Duzhiy stayed late to reach 69.7 miles. He looks like a man in search of a treasure, as he is helper-less, but not hopeless. Hope is his life -breath. He is the most talented runner in the field by far, but still like all the other mortals, he is stuggling to find a great day to kindle his best outcomes. That will come soon it appears. He is averaging 70.61 miles per day. Nirbhasa Magee is already ahead of his pace from 2015 and looks brilliant at times. He is still working on form but results are showing. He is averaging 68.2 miles per day. Harita Davies leads the ladies after three days. She stands at 62.93 miles per day. She is two laps ahead of Kaneenika Janakova and Nidhruvi Zimmermann. Yolanda Holder had her best day of the race, walking 60.91 miles and leaving a little left in the tank. The phalanx of women is upward trending on the standings. Watch out, fellas.
Ten runners started the 21st running of the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race this morning at precisely 6:00 am. The concrete sidewalk course has been used the previous 20 years as a test of extreme endurance, stamina, and running ability beyond any normal realm. Founded by spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, the .5488 of a mile course (883.2079 meters) has been the playground for ultra elites who have tested themselves by trying to run nearly 60 miles every day for 52 days. Five time finisher and 2013 winner Vasu Duzhiy from Russia led the way through the early going, but carefully avoided the heat of a sunny Father's Day until sundown. At the end of the 18-hour day, Mr Duzhiy totalled 75.18 miles(120.99 km) to lead veteran Austrian Smarana Puntigam by five laps. Nirbhasa Magee of Ireland ran strongly in the evening to reach 71.34 miles. Kaneenika Janakova, the Slovakian champion led the ladies with 69.7 miles, just two ticks ahead of Austrian Nidhruvi Zimmermann. Surprise first-timer women Harita Davies and Yolanda Holder also did well with 68.05 and 60.36 miles, respectively. Yolanda had some tummy issues but stayed strong in the evening.
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Ten runners started the 21st running of the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race this morning at precisely 6:00 am. The concrete sidewalk course has been used the previous 20 years as a test of extreme endurance, stamina, and running ability beyond any normal realm. Founded by spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, the .5488 of a mile course (883.2079 meters) has been the playground for ultra elites who have tested themselves by trying to run nearly 60 miles every day for 52 days. Five time finisher and 2013 winner Vasu Duzhiy from Russia led the way through the early going, but carefully avoided the heat of a sunny Father's Day until sundown. At the end of the 18-hour day, Mr Duzhiy totalled 75.18 miles(120.99 km) to lead veteran Austrian Smarana Puntigam by five laps. Nirbhasa Magee of Ireland ran strongly in the evening to reach 71.34 miles. Kaneenika Janakova, the Slovakian champion led the ladies with 69.7 miles, just two ticks ahead of Austrian Nidhruvi Zimmermann. Surprise first-timer women Harita Davies and Yolanda Holder also did well with 68.05 and 60.36 miles, respectively. Yolanda had some tummy issues but stayed strong in the evening.
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The hard concrete course often causes leg soreness as the 3100 Mile Race runners will attest. The early days and even the first two weeks can affect veteran and newbie alike. A close observer could notice the slightly slower speeds today. What was also compelling were reports of severe storms in the area for nearly four hours. Heavy rains lashed the area with gusty winds and lightning starting at 5:00pm (Hour 11). Most runners stayed out on the course and welcomed the slighly cooler temps as storm after storm came through. Vasu Duzhiy kept his small lead over Smarana Puntigam of only 3 laps. Smarana did gain Day honors with 68.05 miles, however. Nirbhasa Magee stayed close with a 65.85 mile effort in third place. Harita Davies reached 60.91 miles to join the other two top female runners- Kaneenika Janakova and Nidhruvi Zimmermann- at the day 2 total of 128.96 miles. The real hero of today was Yolanda Holder, who was treated for dehydration and lost over three hous of time. She had been struggling with stomach issues for nearly 24 hours. When the storm started Yolanda was in her recovery mode, and began to walk with zest as temperatures started to drop, and her energy began to return. She was able to reach 53.23 miles and her smile returned as the storms began to fade. She went from disaster to back in the race in a flash. A few good weather days await. Hope still abides. Stay tuned!
A warm, humid day gave way to heavy showers and six or more hours of rain, thunder, lightning, stiff winds and ominous skies. Vasu Duzhiy and Smarana Puntigam were still at the head of the class, cresting 66.95 and 68+ miles, respectively. Nirbhasa Magee remained in contact with a 65.8 mile day, his focus solid, his pace encouraging. Harita Davies from New Zealand looked particularly strong in the biggest downpours, and her 60.91 miles led the ladies. The top three women even tied in mileage at days end- all three had 128.96 miles for 2 days. The lone walker Yolanda Holder was a real trooper. Early in the day her intestinal issues and dehydration forced a three-hour stoppage. Just when she came back the sky opened up, temperatures dropped, her daughter showed up, and off she went, recapturing precious laps and restoring loads of confidence in herselft. Just before 8:30 pm she reached 100 miles for the two days, all the while the horizon brightened and the setting sun cast a beautiful golden hue around the course. It was still raining hard, but everyone was smiling from the dance of nature and the glow from within and without. Carry on, Runners
Four of ten made it past 60 miles today, with Vasu Duzhiy cresting at 70 miles, as a deceptively hot sun stated to bake the course a little today. Nirbhasa Magee stayed close to Vasu but when home earlier, making it easy for the Russian native to widen his lead. Smarana Puntigam made a nice rebound with 62.01 miles to maintain third place. Kaneenika Janakova took the women's lead by four laps, but Yolanda Holder was the star again with 62.01 miles to lead the ladies. She is only four laps behind equalizing overall pace for a 52 - day finish. It is still early in the race but she has very good leg speed and turnover, so she may have the tools necessary to get where she wants to go. Remember, though, it is only Day Four.
A third straight day of pleasant, relatively cool weather helped the runners along today. Vasu Duzhiy left no doubt of his fitness by garnering 70.24 miles. He lengthened his lead over Nirbhasa Magee to nearly 31 miles. Kaneenika Janakova powered away from the other ladies today, reaching 64.75 miles and solidifying third place overall. Sergey Kuzmin had his eighth straight quality day offering, bolstered by 65.85 miles. He is within five laps of sixth place. More importantly, he has reached the plus column in miles, and is on pace to finish if he can hold on for the next six weeks! Harita Davies is indeed another surprise. Coming into the race she was the least experienced, with the fewest credentials. Yet her consistency and determination is paying off. She has an 11-mile cushion after 12 days and looks smooth and relaxed while running.
Vasu Duzhiy-800 miles= 11 days+12:52:37
Kaneenika Janakova-700 miles= 11 days+04:47:00
Smarana Puntigam-700 miles= 11 days+06:03:31
Harita Davies-700 miles= 11 days+09:01:35
Sergey Kuzmin-700 miles= 11 days+12:27:36
Yolanda Holder-700 miles= 11 days+12:42:10
Nidhruvi Zimmerman-1000km= 11 days+02:42:10
Ananda-Lahari Zuscin-1000km= 11 days+13:11:40
No matter how much you train, duplicating running on hard surfaces is still not the same as what the 3100 Mile Race runners experience. The soreness in the legs is difficult to deal with, or can affect your whole race. That is why we always encourage runners to use the first two weeks of this race as an acclimitization period. Smarana Puntigam used his vast experience in multidays to take Day 2 honors with 68.05 miles. His seven straight finishes and numerous other multiday adventures have given him lessons to know what to expect and what to do. Five people made past sixty miles today. Vasu Duzhiy has a three lap lead over Smareana, and the the top three females all ended the day in a virtual tie with 128.96 total miles. the ringleader of that teio was harita Davies with 60.91 miles. The heavy rains and storms came at five pm( Hour 11). The runners continued on as cooler temps descended on the race course. Yolanda Holder made an amazing comeback from intense dehydration and nausea, reaching 53.23 miles when it seemed she hopeless earlier in the day.
The runners were still smiling, even during the rain. Almost makes one want to sing.
A third straight day of pleasant, relatively cool weather helped the runners along today. Vasu Duzhiy left no doubt of his fitness by garnering 70.24 miles. He lengthened his lead over Nirbhasa Magee to nearly 31 miles. Kaneenika Janakova powered away from the other ladies today, reaching 64.75 miles and solidifying third place overall. Sergey Kuzmin had his eighth straight quality day offering, bolstered by 65.85 miles. He is within five laps of sixth place. More importantly, he has reached the plus column in miles, and is on pace to finish if he can hold on for the next six weeks! Harita Davies is indeed another surprise. Coming into the race she was the least experienced, with the fewest credentials. Yet her consistency and determination is paying off. She has an 11-mile cushion after 12 days and looks smooth and relaxed while running.
Vasu Duzhiy-800 miles= 11 days+12:52:37
Kaneenika Janakova-700 miles= 11 days+04:47:00
Smarana Puntigam-700 miles= 11 days+06:03:31
Harita Davies-700 miles= 11 days+09:01:35
Sergey Kuzmin-700 miles= 11 days+12:27:36
Yolanda Holder-700 miles= 11 days+12:42:10
Nidhruvi Zimmerman-1000km= 11 days+02:42:10
Ananda-Lahari Zuscin-1000km= 11 days+13:11:40
The mercury might have touched 82ºF, the air was low in humidity, breathing was easier- all elements of a fine summer day. And summer it is in New York, as the 3100 Mile race continues amidst the solstice changeover of the longest day of the year. Vasu Duzhiy stayed late to reach 69.7 miles. He looks like a man in search of a treasure, as he is helper-less, but not hopeless. Hope is his life -breath. He is the most talented runner in the field by far, but still like all the other mortals, he is stuggling to find a great day to kindle his best outcomes. That will come soon it appears. He is averaging 70.61 miles per day. Nirbhasa Magee is already ahead of his pace from 2015 and looks brilliant at times. He is still working on form but results are showing. He is averaging 68.2 miles per day. Harita Davies leads the ladies after three days. She stands at 62.93 miles per day. She is two laps ahead of Kaneenika Janakova and Nidhruvi Zimmermann. Yolanda Holder had her best day of the race, walking 60.91 miles and leaving a little left in the tank. The phalanx of women is upward trending on the standings. Watch out, fellas.
A third straight day of pleasant, relatively cool weather helped the runners along today. Vasu Duzhiy left no doubt of his fitness by garnering 70.24 miles. He lengthened his lead over Nirbhasa Magee to nearly 31 miles. Kaneenika Janakova powered away from the other ladies today, reaching 64.75 miles and solidifying third place overall. Sergey Kuzmin had his eighth straight quality day offering, bolstered by 65.85 miles. He is within five laps of sixth place. More importantly, he has reached the plus column in miles, and is on pace to finish if he can hold on for the next six weeks! Harita Davies is indeed another surprise. Coming into the race she was the least experienced, with the fewest credentials. Yet her consistency and determination is paying off. She has an 11-mile cushion after 12 days and looks smooth and relaxed while running.
Vasu Duzhiy-800 miles= 11 days+12:52:37
Kaneenika Janakova-700 miles= 11 days+04:47:00
Smarana Puntigam-700 miles= 11 days+06:03:31
Harita Davies-700 miles= 11 days+09:01:35
Sergey Kuzmin-700 miles= 11 days+12:27:36
Yolanda Holder-700 miles= 11 days+12:42:10
Nidhruvi Zimmerman-1000km= 11 days+02:42:10
Ananda-Lahari Zuscin-1000km= 11 days+13:11:40
Seven of ten made it to 60 miles or more today with ideal conditions for running an urban ultra. Clear skies, low humidity, moderate temps and cool breezes paved the way for the runners. Only the last day school crowds at a few intervals along the course would even register with this determined group. Vasu Duzhiy led the way again with 66.4 miles. Nirbhasa Magee had another respectable outing with 64.7 miles; both men topped 700 miles- Nirbhasa for the third time in his career-and Vasu for the seventh time. Kaneenika Janakova led the ladies again with 63.66 miles. Six runners went pass the 1000 km mark as fitness levels are beginning to rise for many.
Vasu Duzhiy-700 miles-10 days+04:11:35
Nirbhasa Magee-700 miles-10 days+10:41:20
Kaneenika Janakova-1000km-10 days+01:25:17
Smarana Puntigam-1000km-10 days+01:32:15
Harita Davies-1000km-10 days+02:22:31
Yolanda Holder-1000km-10 days+05:29:04
Sergey Kuzmin-1000km-10 days+09:14:30
Andrey Andreev-1000km-10 days+15:22:24
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.Finland's number one ultra running site, ultrajuoksu.fi, writes about the 2017 Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race:
"Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race alkoi New Yorkissa 18.6.2017.
"Kisa järjestetään nyt 21. kerran. Juoksu alkoi 18.6.2017. 3100 mailin (5000 km) mitta vastaa matkaa USA:n halki. Kisan suorittamiseen on aikaa enintään 52 päivää, eli kisa päättyy 8.8.2017.
"Juoksu tapahtuu New Yorkin Queens’issä 883 m pitkällä reitillä, joka tulee kiertää 5649 kertaa. Juoksu aloitetaan joka aamu klo 6:00 ja päättyy klo 24:00, eli päivittäinen juoksuaika on enintään 18 tuntia. Keskimäärin päivässä on juostava vähintään noin 60 mailia eli lähes 100 km."
Four of ten made it past 60 miles today, with Vasu Duzhiy cresting at 70 miles, as a deceptively hot sun stated to bake the course a little today. Nirbhasa Magee stayed close to Vasu but when home earlier, making it easy for the Russian native to widen his lead. Smarana Puntigam made a nice rebound with 62.01 miles to maintain third place. Kaneenika Janakova took the women's lead by four laps, but Yolanda Holder was the star again with 62.01 miles to lead the ladies. She is only four laps behind equalizing overall pace for a 52 - day finish. It is still early in the race but she has very good leg speed and turnover, so she may have the tools necessary to get where she wants to go. Remember, though, it is only Day Four.
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.
airberlin_3100.pdf 359.15 KB"If you take your jogging seiously, you should try the world's longest race. Participants in the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence Race, named after an Indian meditation teacher, run from 6am until midnight for 52 days. The route takes them repeatedly around the same block in Queens, New York, and averages two marathons plus 1
0km per day. After a total of 3100 miles (5000km), runners are sure to have transcended the limits of consciousness." From the May issue.
Although the temps rose to the high eighties, and the humidity climbed up the index, eight of the ten runners topped sixty miles. Day 13 leader was Sergey Kuzmin from Nizhiy Novgorod, Russia who reached 65.85 miles in consecutive days. He moved into sixth place and holds seven precious miles of positivity- in the plus column, to be more precise. Vasu Duzhiy holds firm in the lead, and for sections of the day was a moving clinic on efficient running in multi-days. His female counterpart- Kaneenika Janakova, looked downright unstoppable at times as well, as her fitness and experience are carrying her to new heights. She ran 64.75 miles today, her best two-day stint since last year in the same race. Andrey Andreev from St Petersburg, Russia had his best day in the last five (61.46 miles) and seems to be figuring out the necessary steps to moving towards the greater goal.
Nirbhasa Magee-800 miles- 12 days+02:37:67
Kaneenika Janakova-800 miles- 12 days+15:34:37
Smarana Puntigam-800 miles- 12 days+17:57:32
Andrey Andreev-700 miles- 12 days+05:35:30
Nidhruvi Zimmerman-700 miles- 12 days+12:06:09
About the author:
Nirbhasa is from Ireland. 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.
'This race is all about how things that seem impossible actually can be very possible...'. So begins our interview with Jayasalini Abramovskikh, who in 2014 became the first female Russian finisher of the 3100 Mile Race. She describes how she found the prospect of asking for two months off her job as an economist in Moscow to participate in the race quite daunting, but how if you are meant to do something then it will all work out.
She also talks a little bit about her goals after the race: "For me the answer is to have that deep inner connection with my soul, with my inner being, at every moment of my life, as strong I had during the race. There, the conditions are so extreme, that every momnt is a sincere prayer, evey moment is a sincere cry, and every moment I felt my soul expressing itself in through me. Now i feel the real objective, the real goal for me now is to to be able to feel this during any moment during the whole life."
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.
Photo: Ashprihanal Aalto of Finland completes the 3,100-Mile race in 2015 in a record-breaking time of 40 days 9 hours 6 minutes and 21 seconds.
The Joy of Six is a regular series of articles from the Guardian which focus on unearthing sport's hidden treasures. This week, the focus was on the worlds most unusual and bizarre races, including the world's longest certified race organised by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team - the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100-Mile Race.
The article notes: "The race was founded by noted spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, who opened the first meditation center in Queens after moving to the US in 1964. Finishers needn’t complete the full 3,100 miles, but that’s hardly the point. The goal is right there in the name: self-transcendence, achieved by pushing yourself beyond your physical limits."
Other races mentioned included the Iron Man ice competition in Arizona, the Man v Horse marathon in Wales and The Big Five marathon in South Africa, where participants have to dodge the big five game animals: lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhino.
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.
Cara Giaimo, October 03, 2016 on website Atlas Obscura.
"Over her 23-year career, Suprabha Beckjord raced enough miles to circle the globe twice. Sure, she looks patient enough, smiling over the cash register. Maybe she's got an extra bounce in her step as she helps someone pick out a greeting card. But customers at the Transcendence-Perfection-Bliss of the Beyond gift shop in Washington, D.C. likely don't realize that Suprabha Beckjord, the 60-year-old woman standing behind the counter, isn't just the store's helpful proprietor—she's one of the greatest endurance athletes the world has ever seen." For complete article.
Photo: Suprabha with helpers after she completed the 2004 Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race.
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.
The following story appears in Anthony Rodale's blog FitWild.com
Imagine spending a summer running 3,100 miles, a distance that would take you from Seattle to Miami. If you attempted that particular run this past summer, as you crossed the Cascades, you may have slowed, feeling the effects of the Heat Dome. And let’s say you started with a group of friends who quickly jumped ahead of you. As you progress through the Midwest into the South, you are told they are already a hundred miles ahead. You might feel that you’ll never be able to catch up. You plod along though Arkansas and over the Great Smoky Mountains. Somehow, though, as you gear up for the final 200 miles, the leader’s silhouette becomes faintly visible against the backdrop of the Epcot Center in Orlando. With each successive mile en route to Miami, you seem to be getting closer. As the Miami Skyline comes into view, you can actually see the leader just 9 miles ahead of you. For complete story...
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The 28th Annual Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race
