Author: Sahishnu

Asprihanal Aalto, the leader for six weeks, is only 24 laps(13 miles) away from the goal after running 72.44 miles today, tying Pranab Vladovic for Day leader and placing himself all but in the winners circle. The thin Finn has averaged 70.159 miles(112.91 km) for the first 44 days and should finish around 8:40AM local time tuesday morning. Pranab has run over 70 miles for eight straight days, holding an average of 67.415 miles per day. He should finish wednesday evening.

On a day ripe with thunderstorms big and small, the big three made noise of their own with 71+ mile days. Both Asprihanal Aalto and Pranab Vladovic reached 72.44 miles for the day, while Aussie Grahak Cunningham made 71.89 miles despite the series of storms that swept past the area starting after 600am. The last drops of rain fell after 700pm, but nine runners reached sixty miles or better for the day. CBS TV came out to film all day for a piece to be aired next friday. Asprihanal has only 156 laps to go, so barring a flight of speed all day, he should probably make it to the finish line Tuesday morning around 900am. Stay tuned.

Asprihanal Aalto moved ever closer to the 3100 mile finish line with another 71.89 mile day-equalled by Pranab Vladovic who has a streak going of six straight days over 70 miles. The star of the moment may have been Stutisheel Lebedyev’s 126 lap, 69.15 mile day- his best distance of the race! It appears likely that Asprihanal will finish on Tuesday morning. Mr Aalto is still averaging over 70 miles per day this year.

As if released from the bondage of hot,humid weather, the three stalwarts at the top assaulted the racecourse anew with a flurry of laps. Asprihanal Aalto said he can smell the ocean along the course sometimes, so it was no surprise to see him whisk through 76.83 miles today, leaving only 230 miles to go and a trip to the beach after finishing. Pranab Vladovic ran 71.89 miles, with Grahak Cunningham close behind with 71.34 miles, as the top three are at their peak of fitness and strength. Petr Spacil moved into fourth place with another consistent 65.3 mile day. The energy is definitely palpable along the course.

Pranab Vladovic is on a tear, recording his fourth straight 70+ mile day with a nifty 71.89 performance.The early morning showers gave way to drier air quality, which allowed the top six to all fly above the wreck of high heat and humidity and reach at least 60 miles.

A hot,sticky day could not thwart our heroes from their intended destination-at least the top three, who all landed beyond the 70 mile mark. Pranab Vladovic ran a smooth 71.34 miles;Grahak Cunningham stayed later and reached 70.79 miles, and race leader Asprihanal Aalto made it to 70 miles, passing the 2700 mile split enroute(2700 miles=38 days+10:38:20). A short but furious thunderstorm came up at 1030pm, after hours of lightning and teasing winds.Still, the whole group stayed and continued the onslaught towards high miles. The top seven are in tremendous shape!

A typical hot,humid New York summer day could not thwart the efforts of Pranab Vladovic and his fellow runners as he led the way with 70.79 miles.Asprihanal Aalto finished with 65.85 miles to inch closer to his coveted goal. Six runners made it past 60 miles as the last gasp of the first heatwave ran its course.

The top seven all went past 60 miles today, as the mercury slipped past 93ºF again, with Asprihanal Aalto and Pranab Vladovic both reaching 70.79 miles. Asprihanal has only 509.28 miles to go to reach the coveted finish line. He will probably finish on Tuesday morning, July 29th. Grahak Cunningham continues to put up big numbers in third position(68.05 miles) as well as Petr Spacil in fifth(64.75 miles). The heat wave should eventually disappear by thursday, to be replaced by (you guessed it!) more heat.

The runners always have to exercise a little caution when confronting high heat and humid conditions. The past few days have been a prime example, as Pranab Vladovic led Asprihanal by a lap (68.05miles to 67.50 miles) today with a wonderful effort in such difficult conditions. Only five runners made it past 60 miles.Suprabha Beckjord went past the 2000 mile mark for the 13th consecutive year!

Asprihanal Aalto ran well despite the difficult heat and humidity today to extend his lead to 127+ miles after five full weeks of running. His stellar 71.89 miles led all runners. Only six made it past 60 miles today as the mercury moved past 96ºF and the heat-humidity index reached triple digits. Mr. Aalto is averaging 70.07 miles per day(112.77km).One more day of the heat wave remains, but it has taken its toll as the group looks a bit weary. The air quality index is also problematic since there are few breezes to be had until the sun goes down. But weather the storms they will, these intrepid runners.