Pranjal Milovnik - Photo by Alakananda

Pranjal Milovnik did the nearly impossible – he finished a day faster than his previous best for 3100 miles – during the hottest July in 100 years here in New York – and finished third in 47 days+04:19:49. He moves from 14th place on the all-time rankings to 10th with his brilliant run. He averaged 65.68 miles/105.70 km for the duration.

Dharbhasana Lynn garnered day honors again with a sparkling 65.85 mile run to edge closer to being on a realistic pace to finish. Atmavir Spacil ran 63.66 miles and is on pace to be the next finisher at around noon on Sunday. Pushkar Mullauer is eyeing a Monday afternoon finish as well.

Two Happy Finishers - Photo by Arpan

Asprihanal Aalto, from Helsinki, Finland, won the Fourteenth Annual Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race in a time of 46 days + 07 hours, 37 minutes and 24 seconds. This was the tenth finish for Mr. Aalto, and the seventh victory for him. He averaged 66.93 miles per day, or 107.72 km per day. He is still ranked second all-time for 3100 miles and has the most 3100 milers averaging 70+ miles per day.

Some nine hours later, Galya V. Balatsky finished second in a personal of 46 days + 16:18:34. This was his second 3100 miler and he improved by nearly 34 hours. He moves up to seventh all-time in the 3100 rankings from tenth place.

Asprihanal Nearly Finnished - Photo by Arpan

Asprihanal Aalto, from Helsinki,Finland, is poised to complete his tenth 3100 mile race Thursday afternoon around 1:00 pm. Mr Aalto ran 65.85 miles to get in position to finish. He is averaging 66.74 miles per day (107.41 km). Late Thursday evening Galya Balatskyy should straddle the finish line for second place. Mr. Balatskyy will be setting a personal best while averaging 66.07 miles per day (106.33 km). Pranjal Milovnik should finish Friday morning for his personal best, after running 63.66 miles today. Dharbhasana Lynn led all runners with 68.6 miles.

From the amount of bandages Surasa has had on her feet, to the umpteen Snickers bars consumed by Pranjal to the several clicks and cracks from chiropractor visits to the countless times Asprihanal has touched that special tree, and to the week Dharbhasana had to walk, these are all the bits and pieces that bring the remarkable 3100 mile Self Transcendence race to a close.

As these hero warriors near the end of this marvellous feat, they bring both excitement and sadness.  The goal is near and those hearts are beating faster with every footstep, but at the same time, it is the end. The end of a starting point, the end of a routine, the end of a familiar place. This sacred city block in queens will be desolate without the constant daily shuffle of rubber to concrete.

Alas, I can sincerely say that I feel so honoured to have been here for this race to witness what these brave souls have committed themselves to.  Nothing could stop them.  With a goal of inner growth on the forefront, the runners have taught me a very special lesson.   Anything is possible.  Grace DOES exist.  Faith CAN win.  And determination WILL conquer.

Not only will these runners be honoured on earth, in their country, and by their loved ones, they will also be honoured in the heavens; for their brave efforts will filter thru humanity, making the world a tiny more golden.  Until next year…

Dharbhasana, Photo by Arpan

The best individual performance of the day belonged to no one more deserving than Dharbhasana Lynn, who is re-writing himself with a 70+ mile day. He led the first and second-place holders to the line. In all, five finishers slipped past 60 miles.

Atmavir Spacil – 2700 miles = 44 days + 00:30:31

3100 Mile - Day 43

With the last remnants of the third heat-wave all but gone, the runners started to feel a little better about their performances. Galya Balatskyy and Asprihanal Aalto tied for the day lead with 65.85 miles, with Pranjal Milovnik, Mr Consistent, was close behind with 64.74 miles. Dharbhasana Lynn made a move to try to right his ship by garnering 62.56 miles. He has been plagued with hamstring issues for nearly a week but came out of it with flying colors. Will he have enough time to make it to the Big Goal?

Stay tuned!!

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

Photo by Alakananda

With the temps and humidity down a little, our running heroes gathered a little solace. Asprihanal Aalto again led the field with 67.5 miles, followed by Galya Balatskyy  with 66.48. and Pranjal Milovnik with 63.11. The top five all passed 60 miles today, confirming the premise that experience is crucial to multiday success.

Photo by Jowan

With temps in the mid nineties and the humidity index soaring, our remarkable band of runners willed their way around the sun-baked course to continue their journey. Asprihanal Aalto ran 67.50 miles to lead the pack again, gaining more ground on Galya V. Balatskyy, who ran 61.46 miles, and Pranjal Milovnik, who also ran 61.46 miles. You can see the difficulty in running or even being outdoors on days like this in the runners’ demeanor – they are more withdrawn and cautious but almost unable to answer the simplest of questions – until they come back to the root of the problem.