The Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race
The World's Longest Footrace
photo by Jowan
| So, as we enter the 21st day of the race, and our last runner has passed the 1000 mile mark, one question must be asked of each of these heroes of the road: are you happy with your feet?
Suprabha: “So far, I am happy with my feet.” Wow! Revealing answers from our runners! |
photo by Arpan
Grahak Cunningham and Petr Spacil both ran 70.296 miles today to lead the field of 12.
Asprihanal Aalto ran 63.66 miles and was feeling better than 24 hours earlier,when a weakness descended over his efforts.
Eight runners topped sixty as rains stayed away from the course.
photo by Jowan
Pushkar and Purna-Samarpan discuss the best way to cut shoes. In spite of the high cost of quality running shoes, the runners have accepted the fact that the first thing you do with a new pair of shoes is to cut them to deal with sore spots, blisters and expanding feet. As a veteran of last year’s race, Pushkar can impart some well-earned experience to the newcomer.
photo by Jowan
Grahak Cunningham ran 71.34 miles to take Day leader honors as the runners were confronted by a few thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening . Seven warriors were still able to go past 60+ miles.
photo by Arpan
Asprihanal Aalto (75.1856 miles)ran his 13th consecutive day of 70 plus miles and widened his lead in the 3100 mile race. Grahak Cunningham of Australia and Petr Spacil of Czech Republic both went over seventy miles for their efforts.Suprabha Beckjord astounded the observers present by passing the 1000 mile mark(17 days+10:28:53) for the nineteenth time in her illustrious career.
photo by Arpan
Asprihanal Aalto and Grahak Cunningham dominated the daily totals with 74.63 and 71.89 miles respectively, and three more runners passed 1000 miles. Diganta Adikhari ran 16+01:37:55 for the fourth time for the kilo, and was followed later by Stutisheel Lebedyev who passed the mark for the sixth time in 16+11:59:00. Finally Ananda-Lahari Zuscin reached it in 16+16:53:22.
photo by Jowan
The temperature reached 83ºF today with somewhat sticky conditions, but our runner heroes would not back down, Four made it to 1000 miles to bring the total to six beyond the kilo. Asprihanal Aalto led the charge with 75.73 miles today, his eleventh straight day over seventy. Petr Spacil had his best day since Day 1, with a sparkling 70 miles including 1000 miles in 15 days+00:59:04. Next Pushkar Mullauer ran past the 1000 in 15+07:37:33. Pranjal Milovnik topped 1000 in 15+14:27:51, and first timer Vladimir Balatsky reached the first major milestone in 15+16:42:18. In all eight runners made it past sixty miles as their fitness is starting to show.
photo by Arpan
Asprihanal Aalto and Grahak Cunningham, the top two runners each ran over 70 miles, with Mr. Aalto reaching the 77.92 mark. Grahak reached the 100 mile split in 14+14:19:23, his fastest time. Two Ukrainians impressed as Vladimir and Stutisheel both ran 65.85 miles today.
photo by Arpan
Asprihanal Aalto reached 1000 miles in 13 days+04:46:51, a personal best for him as well as a ninth straight day over 70+ miles. He is nearly two full days ahead of second place runner Grahak Cunningham, who recorded another 70 plus day as well. In total, nine runners finished running over 60 miles today. First timer Vladimir Balatskyy ran 65.85 miles to move into sixth place overall. Twelve-time finisher Suprabha Beckjord is nearly identical to her performance in last year’s event, while still holding tenth place.
photo by Jowan
With another rousing 75.18 miles of running,Asprihanal Aalto has improved his chances for finishing first. He is averaging over 75 miles per day(120 km) and has no real challenger. Grahak Cunnungham remains in second place off another wonderful session of 69.15 miles.Of the two new men in the race, Ukrainian Vladimir Balatskyy leads the way with a sparkling 64.20 effort.