A short video of the 3100 Mile Self-Transcendence Race from the Wall Street Journal.
‘A Distance so Long it takes 52 days’
See other: Articles on 3100 Mile Race
How the 3100 Mile Race has become an annual feature of Jamaica Hills, New York
Post by Sahishnu:
Atmavir and His Ball - Photo by Jowan
With hazy, sunny skies above, Atmavir Petr Spacil became a four-time finisher of the 3100 mile race in 49 days+05:31:34. He averaged 62.97 miles per day (101.345 km). Mr Spacil is ranked fifth all-time at this distance, but found out his physical aversion to very hot weather. He had big problems running during the heat of the day, so that his mileage suffered greatly and his body was continuously revolting from the heat onslaught. Yet he found the fortitude to stay the course and finish the race.
Pushkar Mullauer ran a fine 64.2 mile day to be in position to finish 3100 miles on Monday afternoon. Dharbhasana Lynn ran 65.85 miles to gain precious ground towards finishing on Tuesday evening.
Post by Sahishnu:
Asprihanal and Galya
As the heat continued, Asprihanal Aalto moved closer to the goal with a day-leading 68.05 miles, besting Galya Balatskyy by one lap (67.5024 miles total). Five men went past sixty miles in the intense heat and humidity. By nightfall, a big thunderstorm worked the area with lots of rain and high winds. Both Asprihanal and Galya went through the famed 2700 mile split (the original distance of this race in 1996).
Ashprihanal Aalto 2700 miles = 40 days + 07:19:10
Galya V. Balatskyy 2700 miles = 40 days + 15:28:10
World Record Holder Dipali Cunningham at the 2010 Self-Transcendence 6 Day Race Awards Ceremony
My name is Dipali Cunningham and I have been a member of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team for 30 years and competing in multiday events for nearly twenty years. My first multiday was a seven day race and like any beginner I endured the challenges and discomforts of running nearly twenty hours a day. I have completed thirty-one multiday events (7 day races, 6 day races, 1,000 mile, 700 mile) and now hold Australian National and World records. I continue to run these races with inspiration and enthusiasm and now only as a spectator at this amazing 3100 mile race take you into their daily lives around this half mile loop. Read more
photo by Arpan
Galya V. Balatskyy from the Ukraine led a group of six runners past 60 miles today with his best total since Day 2 (70.79 miles). Asprihanal Aalto garnered 67.5 miles to close the gap to eight laps behind Pranjal Milovnik, the leader after four weeks. Atmavir P. Spacil ran his third 65.85 mile day in succession as his fitness is returning. Pushkar Mullauer is still consistent in fifth place while averaging 62.5 miles (over 100 kilometers) per day. Dharbhasana Lynn answered the bell with 60.91 miles as each step is a new personal best distance for him.
photo by Arpan
While the sky clouded up a bit, our runners sought to get closer to their goal. Atmavir Spacil led all runners with 65.85 miles , followed closely by Pranjal Milovnik. Pranjal was fortunate to move into first place as perennial favorite Asprihanal Aalto was hit by a stomach virus and will be hoping to rebound tomorrow. Four men made it past sixty miles on a hot, sticky day. Mr Aalto is like a Federer in his sport, in that he can win at many different tournaments and on many surfaces. Mr Aalto has won races at several distances so his versatility is worth watching. However, Pranjal’s efforts and “stick-to-it-ness” are very interesting and have brought him to his best position ever in a race.
photo by Jowan
The first four runners went past the 1000 mile split today, something that has not happened in the race in years. Asprihanal Aalto has increased his lead with another 71.34 mile day to nearly 16 miles ahead of Petr Spacil in second place. Pranjal Milovnik is creeping ever so slightly closer to third placer Galya (Vladimir) Balatskyy with another 68.05 mile day. Dharbhasana Lynn has increased his best distance every day for the last five days in a row since his lower legs have healed to his satisfaction. Surasa Mairer has shown signs of adapting to the high mileage days as her shin splints are less bothersome. Her spirit remains remarkably cheerful and upbeat no matter the situation. All this during a 90º, sticky NY summer day!
1000miles:
Asprihanal Aalto- 14 days+03:00:39
Petr Spacil – 14 days+05:32:25
Galya (Vlad) Balatskyy- 14 days+15:10:11
Pranjal Milovnik- 14 days+16:34:08
Well, here we are, fourteen days later and still goin. Already the runners are starting to get stronger and stronger. Even with the killer heat they manage to knock those miles back each day. Luckily, each day they change directions adding a little something different. For me though I’m always confused when I arrive as to which direction they are going. I often stand there looking way off into the distance waiting with drink and food in hand for Dharbhasana to come around the corner when suddenly he’ll be tapping me on the back. Doh!
The tiny camp crew is starting to get a little more crazy-in a good way! Of course when you spend so much time with someone, your guard drops and the fun begins. We had Sushovita, and her dog Roxy count laps for several hours yesterday and she came with her own sunglasses-not the human! Also Shakti was in full comedian mode yesterday with all sorts of quirky moments. Especially showing the pizza tongue.
So as the runners get stronger and stronger, and the camp crew get crazier and crazier, there really is no other place I’d rather be right now, but right here in this little 3,100 mile race family. And to all those extended family members across the globe, if you tried to send any emails to the address in my previous blog, well…of course I put the wrong address in! Crikey. The correct address is as follows: ny@srichinmoyraces.org Letters are received with great Joy. Thank you!
Some of the 3100 Mile runners have their own website / blog
Other Useful Links
With 2 days remaining before 6 am start on Sunday, most of the major race preparations have been completed. We have two vans with a combined odometer reading of over 400,000 miles. We just had a rebuilt transmission put in one, and the other van had one put in some 50,000 miles ago. The vans are ready to go. The 1987 motor home is good enough to travel the 1/2 mile back and forth from the overnight parking area to the race.
Tomorrow we will have a prerace meeting with all 11 runners, handlers, cooks and the immediate staff of about 5. As the race director I have never run a distance anywhere near 3100 miles. But I have been involved with the Sri Chinmoy Marathon since its first real ultra race, a 1,000 race held in Flushing Meadow Park in 1985. So I have seen a great deal and I think that entitles me to put in my 2 cents worth of advice to the runners.
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