Day 42: The Famed 2700

Post by Sahishnu:

Asprihanal and Galya
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

Experience is Crucial

Post by Sahishnu:

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.

Day 39: Around the Sun-Baked Course

Post by Sahishnu:

3100 Mile Shoes
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You can see the difficulty in running or even being outdoors on days like this in the runners’ demeanor – they are more withdrawn and cautious but almost unable to answer the simplest of questions – until they come back to the root of the problem.

Day 38 – The Heat Continues

Post by Sahishnu:

Photo by Arpan
Atmavir Spacil's Birthday Smile

The heat continued but skies were hazy and cloudy as Asprihanal Aalto again reached 70 miles and the leading three set the standard again with fine performances. Asprihanal garnered 70.24 miles, followed by Galya Balatskyy with 67.5 and then Pranjal Milovnik with 64.75 miles. Atmavir Petr Spacil went for 61.46 miles on his 32nd birthday, and Pushkar Mullauer reached 60.36 to become the fifth man over sixty miles today. Surasa Mairer went past 2000 miles for the first time in her long ultra career.

Day 37 – Hellish Conditions

Day 37

Post by Sahishnu:

The Water Trough - Photo by Arpan

The hellish conditions could not dampen the fire of Asprihanal Aalto as the slender Finn maintained good form throughout and reached 71.34 miles. He has extended the lead to 18 and a half miles and counting.That is four consecutive days of 70+ miles or . Galya Balatskyy ran 66.40 miles to remain second overall, The temps were in the mid 90’s but without a reasonable breeze or passing shower.

Day 36 Another Roaring Hot Day in New York

Post by Sahishnu:

Photo by Jowan
Purna-Samarpan and Dharbhasana

On a roaring hot day in New York, Asprihanal Aalto ran his third consecutive day over 70 miles with a 71.89 mile day, extending his lead to 14 miles over both Pranjal Milovnik and Galya Balatskyy. Mr. Balatskyy moved into second place by one thin lap (68.6 miles to 63.6 miles on the day) as mid 90’s temps and few breezes sizzled the ground on the course and nearly boiled the blood of our remaining ten warriors. Ananda-Lahari Zuscin was the only other runner to break 60 miles. Yet, carry on all the runners did.

Aalto Reclaims the Top Branch

Sahishnu’s internet connection is down. I am publishing his posts for the time-being . . . [Medur]

Post by Sahishnu:

Photo by Jowan
Photo by Jowan

Day 35: Aalto Reclaims the Top Branch

Asprihanal Aalto wasted little time in exerting his influence on
the topmost branches of the race-tree today by whipping out a 71.8928 mile day- under oppressive heat and humidity numbers. That is two consecutive days with 70+ miles in the beginning of heatwave number three for the irrepressible Finn. Galya Balatskyy tried to stay close by running 66.95 miles.

Never Give Up

Never Give Up
[This is Utpal’s final post for the 3100 Mile Race 2008; I am all gratitude for his effort and accomplishment – Medur]
Never Give Up by Utpal:
. . . There is nothing more to see at the 3100 mile course these days. In a short while however, it will once again be vibrant, with visitors from around the world. They will run a few laps here, and their footsteps will follow in those of all the great champions, who have traveled very far here, both outwardly and inwardly.. . .

Finish the Race

Finish the Race by Utpal:
. . . Today he will stand at the starting line just 33 miles from this goal. The expression, heroic effort, fits all those who come to this place and attempt to run 3100 miles. Most, but not all, make this distance, because they have been inexorably drawn here to fulfill an inner hunger and they willingly offer themselves up, to an inner call which has beckoned them on.

Trying To Be Myself

. . . At about this same time, as he stands patiently, on this rough little patch of Queens sidewalk, huge crowds are entering the Olympic stadium in Beijing, to view world class pageantry and spectacle. The likes of which, the world has probably never seen before.. . . .