Mark Dorian visits the Race

(The following blog is by our dear friend and supporter, Mark Dorian)

I can attest that a local Queens (NYC) lounge singer who sounded and looked a bit like Frank Sinatra Jr. (if you ever want to see/ hear a cool you tube music video, Google his “Wedding Vows in Vegas,” a hit c. 1987) sang several original variations on “Happy Birthday To You” to Purna-Samarpan  (Olaf) Querhammer during the ongoing 3100 mile race.  There were also balloons, flowers, streamers, cakes, etc.  Purna-Samarpan is in good spirits and looking very strong (he must have been in the gym lifting all winter, in addition to lots of running kilometers).

Wildest of all, both a donkey and wolf were seen chasing Dr. Querhammer around the loop under the full moon.  The little terrier Roxy who belongs to well-known NYC pastry chef and 3100 race helper Sushovita Taylor was grrring and chomping at the bit to chase after the wolf.

There is lots of action going on around the .55 of a mile loop at Edison School.  On Saturday June 17 there is a 2 mile race on an adjoining .85 of a mile loop, followed Sunday by a special Fathers Day Marathon across the road from the 3100.  I would love to help out or join in, alas will be starting work in Vermont on Father’s Day.

On Thursday there was a great sitar player sending hauntingly beautiful Indian music out from under the big hardwood trees next to the path.

I put in 47 miles in 2.5 days out at the race– not even the minimum DAILY 50 miles required for a runner to remain in the race.  My fastest lap with a racer was 4:31 chasing Ashprihanal Pekka Aalto (that equates to about 8:00-8:10 mile pace).  How many ultra runners will do one mile of even a 50 mile race at that pace??

Best wishes to all ultra runners/ Watch out for skunks as summer is now upon us/

Mark D

 

The Russians Are Coming!

I remember the 1970s film starting Alan Akrin called “The Russians Are Coming”, about the mock Russian assault on a small town in New England. Everyone was on high alert, not knowing what the Russians intentions were. Well its 2011 now, and in our small town of Queens, the “Russians” are “Ukrainians” (and there is a difference, just ask them) and at almost the half way point, it is clear what their intentions are: they are out to win the race! Just ask Ashprihanal. I pick him up everyday, along with Stutisheel and Surasa. These three prefer to be driven to and from the race, unlike the other runners who prefer the freedom of biking. He talks about Igor and Sarvagata, the two new runners,  almost every day, but  with glowing admiration.

The 7 time champ is well aware of the two newcomers because they are faster the the flying Finn; just count the number of times they pass Ashprihanal during the day. How can it not ware on his nerves during the course of 18 hours. But the champ has the right attitude. Competition is good as it will always bring out the best in you, as long as you take it in the right spirit. And Ashprihanal does: he likes the challenge and admires how fast  the two Ukrainian boys  are and that they finish almost always at 10:30 pm so that they  can go home earlier and go more sleep. Ashprihanal stays almost to midnight everyday just to maintain his slowly dwindling lead. He feels that he is going about as fast as he can; to go faster would invite injury.

So what are Igor’s and Sarvagata’s strategy? They will not tell me, but, I heard from a friend of theirs, that right now they are being somewhat cautious as this is their first 3100 mile race. But, soon, if they continue feeling strong, they will start staying out later, past 10:30 pm,  to make up the miles on the champ. With their speed, will they have enough time to make up the 50+ mile deficit? It seems we have a race going on here.  Keep an eye on the daily results. They tell the real story. Stay tuned…

Bipin Tells A Story About The 2010 Race

The 3100 Mile Race course is open between 6 am and 12 midnight, seven days a week. Each day a variety of neighborhood people pass through out staging area. Students, mothers with their children, kids en route to play basketball, some walking to and from  masque, others returning from shopping and, yes, even joggers, like us, circling the  familiar block completing daily exercise routines.

 

 

One such local began running our measured half mile loop one year ago after witnessing the race for some time in wonder. Last summer he  befriended Dharbhasana, a New Zealand disciple of Sri Chinmoy competing in the event for the first time. Dharbhasana encouraged him to begin running.

The new jogger  confided that his parents have weight and high cholesterol issues and although he is in his thirties  and healthy at the moment, his doctor warned him about a recent weight gain. At the time he was employed as a meter reader by New York City and expected to be promoted to direct traffic at a busy rush hour intersection.

So thrilled at the prospect of running with the handful of competitors in the 3100 Mile Race last year he began walking and running the block along  side the runners in the evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He said he hated the cold winter weather. No way he wanted to continue exercising through the winter months. Dharbhasana told him “Do Not Stop!” Whatever you do, do not stop.” and that he should go to a gym for the winter months.

He joined a local Queens’ gym in the late fall and went religiously running on a tread mill and doing pushups and chin ups.

I met him for the first time this week and heard the story. He went on to list by name each runner, as well as each runner not competing from last year.

With joy and pride he credited Dharbhasana and the race with new found joy and encouragement.

Week Two:Who Are These Guys?

The second week recap is full of events. The seven-time champion Ashprihanal Aalto has assumed the lead again with four consecutive days of 70+ miles, including a sparkling 75.18 miles on Day 9. He is averaging 70.26 miles per day.But like others, even Ashprihanal fell victim to sore throats and lung congestion, not to mention a toe infection and another mysterious mark on his leg. Purna-Samarpan Querhammer has been sick for three days which has hampered his running effort but has still managed to remain cheerful while he heals. Ukrainians Igor Mudryck and Sarvagata Ukrainskyi have moved into third and fourth place, respectively after some wonderful running.Mr Mudryck has managed to remain uber consistent while Sarvagata has led the pack in daily mileage for the last three days with totals in or near the 70 mile plateau. Surasa Mairer has remained constant while fashioning a 21 mile cushion versus the 59.617 mile per day mileage needed to finish. And talk about steady- Pranjal Milovnik is steadiness itself while he remains ever present in second place with 68.89 miles per day and is the last one to leave every night! Temps have hovered from the mid 70′s to 85º but we have yet to experience a 90º scorcher. More to follow.
Sahishnu

Week One Update

It is hard to imagine we have gone past seven days, but here we are.The Fifteenth Annual Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race is in full swing. Atmavir Spacil has assumed the lead from Day 2 to the present with a sparkling 72.20 miles per day average (116.20 km). Pranjal Milovnik has held second(70.16 miles average) and seven-time winner Ashprihanal Aalto is close behind in third. The trio of newbies are doing well, with Igor Mudryck and Sarvagata Ukrainskyi holding fourth and fifth place, with Pradeep Hoogakker holding the Lanterne Rouge at the back of the pack.The only woman competitor Surasa Mairer is in sixth. The field of ten represent seven nations overall. The race has been favored with relatively mild to cool conditions, but the summer solstice has yet to arrive.

Video of 3100 Mile Race WSJ

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

Day 51: It’s Over

Post by Sahishnu:

On the final day of running, Dharbhasana Lynn, a first-timer from Auckland, New Zealand, became the first Kiwi to join the ranks of finishers in the world’s longest certified race with a stunning finish in 51 days+13:17:32. He averaged 60.13 miles (96.77 km) per day as he was the sixth and last finisher of this fourteenth edition.

Among the other runners who came up short, Ananda-Lahari Zuscin ran 2857.05 miles; Baladev Pavol Saraz reached 2799.97 miles; Surasa Mairer reached 2760.46 miles and Purna-Samarpan Querhammer stopped at 2700.09 miles. The super hot summer in New York was a main factor in the slower times and diminished returns but the runners deserve our gratitude for staying the course and showing supreme courage and conviction throughout. We hope to be back next year. Thanks for your interest.

Sahishnu

Day 51 – Pushkar Finishes

Post by Sahishnu:

On a moderately warm summer afternoon, Pushkar C. Mullauer from Switzerland reached his goal of 3100 miles for the second time in as many years with a fine effort of 50 days+09:34:24. He averaged 61.51 miles per day (98.99 km). Dharbhasana Lynn ran 60.9168 miles to get into position to finish his first 3100 mile race on Tuesday early evening. Surasa Mairer reached 2700 miles for the first time in her long running career.

Day 50: A Four-Time Finisher

Post by Sahishnu:

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.

The World’s Longest Race Winds Down

Post by Sahishnu:

With a strong 64.7 mile day, Atmavir P. Spacil is only 23.5 miles away from his fourth 3100 mile finish. Pushkar C. Mullauer ran 62.56 miles to be in position to finish Monday afternoon. But the day leader award goes to Dharbhasana Lynn. The effervescent Kiwi ran 70.24 miles to continue his remarkable comeback towards a Tuesday evening finish. Stay tuned as the world’s longest race winds down.