Article from Dagens Næringsliv (Norway largest daily business newspaper), published on 9th August, 2014. The following is a translated excerpt (thanks to Premananda for the English translation):

Queens boiled and steamed in 35 degrees. A quick sprint to the subway and the clothes could be wrung up. Most people preferred cooled of air inside cars and buildings. Those outside, sagged slowly along the streets or were drowsing away in the shadows. 

But in a living area in the borough of Queens three women and eleven men were running. Up 84th Avenue.  Across 168th Street. Along the highway Grand Central Parkway. Down 164th Avenue. A rectangle of 883 meter around a fenced in high school, a soccer field and a playground.

Then they did it again. And again. And again and again. From 6 am until midnight. For 52 days in a stretch they were running, with change of direction every morning for the sake of some variation, on a sidewalk cast of concrete - much harder than asphalt. 

They started on June 15th. When the organizers drew the line on Tuesday this week, eight of the runners had completed the required 5000km. In spite of injuries, illness and horrible blisters: none had broken along the way. None had taken even a single day off.

Read more »

Inside the world's longest race: CBS This Morning
"The marathon is the equivalent of running from New York to Los Angeles (2,700 miles), and then going another 400 miles north to San Francisco just for kicks. The race was inspired by spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, who believed long-distance running can help people overcome their preconceived limitations." read more »

Endless Summer Race: City Room, New York Times
“I see them running every day and I think, ‘These people never sleep,’” said Rashdeep Singh, who lives nearby. The runners go from 6 a.m. to midnight, pausing for meals in plastic cups, water and a fresh pair of shoes. Before the race ends next week, each will have exhausted about 25 pairs. read more »

More coverage:

- Fox 5 News: Runners seek spiritual experience(link is external) - see video below
- Public Radio International's 'The World'

Video by AFP news agency:

Our interactive daily graphs on the homepage were inspired by the graphs that Matthias van Baaren from Vienna has been sending us since the beginning of the race (he also sent us the fun Chicken Run graphic from a couple of weeks ago). We havent been able to get around to putting them all up, but here are some graphs from day 42 just to give you an idea. Thank you very much Matthias!

Clicking on the images will open up the associated PDF's in a new tab.

Position changes during race:

Versus the 59.6 mile per day time limit:

Furthest and least mileage covered by runners, by day:

Predicted finish (based on average speed by day 42):

Relative position of runners:

Distance covered (days 36-42):

Daily mileage:

Day 29

The 12 daring ultrarunners taking on the world's longest certified ultra race are enduring high heat and humidity as the race heads to day 31 on Tuesday July 16.  There is a very "cool" (both in temperature and degree of cleverness and originality) refrigerator trailer parked at the race course.  This was created many years ago by world-class carpenter/ inventor (also associate race RD) Bipin Larkin and some of his co-workers.  Side panels open outward to reveal large refrigerated compartments in which all manner of food and drinks-- from yogurt to ice cream to soda pop to non-alcoholic beers (city and park ordinances prohibit alcoholic beverages) are stored.  There are other compartments in the trailer for dry goods, fruits, snacks, etc. 

Here are the race standings after day 29 (Sunday):

1.  Asprihanal Pekka Aalto   (67.51 for day),     1,991,05 total.

2.  Dr. Atmavir Petr Spacil    (62.51)                1,937.26

3.  Vasu Duzhiy                       (64.21)                1,902.69

4.  Chef Sarvagata Ukrainskyi (68.05!)               1,882.38

5.  Pranjal Milovnik                  (62.56)                 1,845.61

6.  Yuri Trostenyuk                   (61.47)                 1,825.86

7.  Sopan Tsekov                    (57.63)                 1,703.48

8.  Baladev Pavel Saraz, Esq. (56.52)               1,631.58

9.  Coach Ananda-Lahari Zuzcin (47.19)                1,617.31

Women:

1.  Surasa P. Mairer           (61.47)                       1,792.93              

2.  Nidhdruvi Zimmerman   (62.01)                       1,726.52

3.  Sarah Barnett                 (43.91)                       1,515.24

I will post more news and updates in a few days-- I am off to the northern New Hampshire wilderness leading a group of 8-10 year old girls over various remote peaks.  Even the TOUGH runners in the 3100 get to sleep in cozy BEDS in air-conditioned apartments and houses, whereas I will be sleeping on rocky ground on my foam pad.

REMEMBER that you may check out all the 3100 mile action at:

  3100.srichinmoyraces.org/

CHEER on the runners (send them e-mail greetings, phone them, send post cards-- they will remember you forever!)

Writer-philosopher "Guru" Sri Chinmoy opined that "encouragement points the way to the pole-star."  I see the pole star on all non-cloudy nights here, far away from air pollution and city lights.  And when anyone has something nice or encouraging to say to me, I SEE the pole-star that much more clearly.

Best wishes to all ultrarunners around the globe,

Mark D

Fairlee, Vermont

June 25

The kitchen has been abuzz with getting ready for the start of the 3100-mile race. What with shopping, chopping, prepping, cooking, mixing, blending, stirring and slicing we have been busy compiling ideas and recipes for the 12 runners who are going to be participating in this immortal race. The kitchen team consists of 6 girls, who come from different parts of the world. First up is the ever willing and awesome Nirjharini. She is one of the main chefs from our beautiful cafe/restaurant in Oslo, The Fragrance of the Heart. She is an amazingly gifted and dynamic individual who runs the kitchen with a sweet, funny and caring attitude. She is in charge of the early morning breakfast/lunch crew.

Second up is the one, the only.... Tanuja! Tanuja hails from the Czech Republic. She is an accomplished restaurant worker who has, over many years, worked all over the world, helping to nurture and nourish people from all walks of life. She is so witty and smart with kindness and compassion thrown into the mix. She is an awesome addition to the morning team and is a hard and capable worker.

We are so lucky to have Tejini, who has been an invaluable help in the mornings. Tejini comes from Germany and is helping in the kitchen part time while also helping with counting the runners laps. Her cheerful, bright persona is very appreciated and enjoyed by us all. She is an accomplished cook in the race kitchen as she has helped in many past years.

The morning shift consists of a snack at 6am ish when the runners start their day, breakfast at 8am, which is an accomplished feat in itself. The runners all have individual needs for the first big meal of the day and they vary from kitchoury to scrambled eggs to fresh fruit salad and Greek salad with other variations in between. There are unique requirements for these extremely unique individuals. At 10am there is another snack and then at midday there is lunch. A lot of organization and planning goes into the preparation of all the meals and we try to vary the protein/carbohydrate combinations. There is always fresh fruit and smoothies, rehydrating drinks plus both sweet and savory food items. It is a lot of fun and we have heaps of laughs. Tomorrow will be the next installment where we cover the afternoon/evening shift. Hasta la vista