Author: Sahishnu

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.

Once again a novice super-multiday runner turned veteran led the fray on a warm sunny day in New York. Dharbhasana Lynn, the Kiwi runner, has turned on the jets with a 70.79 mile day to easily lead a group of five past sixty miles. He is getting himself back into a position to finish the race on Tuesday evening. Leader Asprihanal Aalto needs only 175 more laps to reach the promised land. He passed the 3000 mile mark in 44 days+16:48:27, and will finish Thursday afternoon. Amazing.

Purna-Samarpan and Pushkar
photo by Jowan
The top three had good days but are quite close to one another in miles and laps completed. Pranjal Milovnik leads six-time winner Asprihanal Aalto by seven miles but dropped three miles to the thin Finn. Ukrainian Galya V. Balatskyy ran 66.95 miles to close within 19 laps of the overall lead. Mr Aalto ran his best day in over a week with 68+ miles. Czech Atmavir P. Spacil maintained fourth position with another fine effort. Pushkar C. Mullauer holds fifth place and cleared 2000 miles for the third time in his life (2000 miles = 32 days+02:26:30).

Pranjal Outfitted for Rain
photo by Arpan
Galya V Balatskyy from the Ukraine led the day with 69.14 miles, before heavier rains would dampen runners spirits. Atmavir Spacil followed closely with 68.05 miles. Pranjal Milovnik maintained his overall lead with 2122 miles as five men moved past 60 miles for the day.
Atmavir P. Spacil – 2000 miles = 31 days+02:56:27

Galya
photo by Arpan
On a rainy, breezy, cloudy day with thick humidity, Atmavir Spacil clicked with 66.95 miles to lead the pack. Pranjal Milovnik maintained and increased his small lead over Asprihanal Aalto who encountered stomach pains. Mr Milovnik has 2055.25 miles after a full month to lead the fray. In all, five runners topped sixty miles today. 2000 mile splits below:

Asprihanal Aalto – 2000 miles = 30 days+01:50:50
Pranjal Milovnik – 2000 miles = 30 days+01:51:55
Galya V. Balatskyy-2000 miles = 30 days+06:32:53

Galya and Dharbhasana
photo by Arpan
Asprihanal Aalto led the way with 69.14 miles as the top six men all went past 60 miles for the day. Pranjal Milovnik is holding onto a slim two lap lead with 1100 miles still to come. Galya Balatskyy again topped 125 laps today to remain near the top. Dharbhasana Lynn is still achieving great things with a 117 lap, 64.22 mile day. He is firmly in sixth place with 22 days to go!!

photo by Arpan

The thermometer moved ever so slightly in an upward trend, which was not welcome for our hero runners. However, five made it past 60 miles with Pranjal Milovnik increasing his lead by three laps over Asprihanal Aalto with 64.75 miles. Galya V. Balatskyy became day leader twice in a row with a sterling 65.30 effort.

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 mercury did not top triple digits, but eight men crossed the 60 mile barrier on a generally warm summer day. Atmavir P. Spacil led all comers with 65.85 laps, while three had 64.75, including the overall leader, Asprihanal Aalto, who had missed a day due to overall fatigue. Three made it past halfway during the halfway-Day 26: Dharbhasana Lynn-25 days+13:52:27; Baladev P. Saraz-25 days+14:06:27; and Ananda-Lahari Zuscin-25 days+16:05:04. It appears Stutisheel Lebedyev may be out of the race due to a torn ligament in his knee.