Asprihanal Aalto has stretched his lead to over 80 miles with another 70.24 mile day. Smarana Puntigam is trying to maintain second place after Pranab Vladovic visited a doctor in order to get his skin rash under control. He was off the track for nearly 12 hours.
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Day 13: Aalto Hits Seventy Again and Stretches Lead
Asprihanal Aalto reached 70.24 miles today despite a sticky, sometimes overcast day. The young Finn extended his lead to 73+ miles. Grahak Cunningham climbed to within four laps of third place with a fine 65.3 mile day. Only six runners got past 60 miles today.
What He Can Do to Transform Us
Another epic early morning offering from Utpal.
Day 12: Asprihanal Is Back-Stomach On the Mend
With a blistering pace after the sun went down, Asprihanal Aalto ran 73.53 miles to re-establish his dominance in this year’s 3100 mile race. His bout with stomach problems was short-lived compared to the sufferings of Christopher and others who had GI tract dilemmas for days now. Stutisheel Lebedyev has moved up to seventh place with his fifth consecutive 65.85 mile day. A three or four day heat and humidity encounter awaits, but as the fitness levels arise, the regular runner problems seem to diminish.We shall see.
Day 11 – On the Way to Heaven
 Day 11 on the way to Heaven by Utpal
Day 11:Getting In Shape Is Not Easy
Stutisheel Lebedyev from Kiev, Ukraine led the way with 65.85 miles as only four runners made it over 60 miles for the day. Mr Lebedyev has climbed from 14th to tenth place in only three days with an impressive four day streak. Asprihanal Aalto still leads overall with 779.29 miles, an average of 70.84 miles per day. Temps stayed in the low 80ºs with reduced humidity as the pack is still feeling their way towards a fitness level that can sustain their efforts. Quite often we,as observers are lulled into thinking this race is easy- it is not! However the runners cheerfulness and abilities always seem to overcome the most difficult obstacles. More later.
Day 10:Cunningham Takes Day Honors with Seventy Miles
One-time finisher Grahak Cunningham took Day 10 honors and propelled himself into fourth place with 70.24 miles today. Overall leader Asprihanal Aalto ran 63.11 miles but still held a sixty mile gap on the rest of the field. Mr Aalto joined the ranks of three or four runners with queasy stomachs. Shin splints and knee problems are affecting a number of competitors, but still they go on.
Where the Flying Finns Dare Not Go
Utpal has a marathon post up at his blog featuring Asprihanal, the Flying Finn.
Day 9:The Summer Blues and Blahs
Asprihanal Aalto again padded his lead with 70.24 miles today, his seventh straight day of 70+ miles. Many in the field struggled mightily as the adjustment to high mileage and stress allowed for only seven runners to pass 60+ miles. There were some queasy stomachs and tired muscles which forced a few athletes to back off and retire early for the night. In other words-business as usual. The long term prognosis is good, however, for this band of warriors will face many a test before they reach the goal- you can bank on it! Smarana Puntigam and Stutisheel Lebedyev both ran 65.85 miles to move up the ranks a little.
Leave Message for Runners
If you would like to leave a message for the runners, you are welcome to use this:
The messages will be printed out and taken to the race the next morning.
The runners will definitely appreciate hearing from well wishers around the world.