The 30th Annual Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race 2014

Sarvagata Ukrainskyi completed the 3100 Mile race with a finishing time of 44 days 6 hours 58 minutes and 10 seconds. Yuri Trostenyuk was second in a time of 46 days 14 hours 16 minutes and 5 seconds.

Daily videos by race director Rupantar La Russo

[vimeo url="https://vimeo.com/album/2910530"]

More videos by Rupantar »

• Pranjal Milovnik's 2014 video diary »

Article from Dagens Næringsliv (Norway largest daily business newspaper), published on 9th August, 2014. The following is a translated excerpt (thanks to Premananda for the English translation):

Queens boiled and steamed in 35 degrees. A quick sprint to the subway and the clothes could be wrung up. Most people preferred cooled of air inside cars and buildings. Those outside, sagged slowly along the streets or were drowsing away in the shadows. 

But in a living area in the borough of Queens three women and eleven men were running. Up 84th Avenue.  Across 168th Street. Along the highway Grand Central Parkway. Down 164th Avenue. A rectangle of 883 meter around a fenced in high school, a soccer field and a playground.

Then they did it again. And again. And again and again. From 6 am until midnight. For 52 days in a stretch they were running, with change of direction every morning for the sake of some variation, on a sidewalk cast of concrete - much harder than asphalt. 

They started on June 15th. When the organizers drew the line on Tuesday this week, eight of the runners had completed the required 5000km. In spite of injuries, illness and horrible blisters: none had broken along the way. None had taken even a single day off.

Read more »

During the race, our expert designer Parvati put together a very nice newsletter summarizing all aspects of the race.

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Inside the world's longest race: CBS This Morning
"The marathon is the equivalent of running from New York to Los Angeles (2,700 miles), and then going another 400 miles north to San Francisco just for kicks. The race was inspired by spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, who believed long-distance running can help people overcome their preconceived limitations." read more »

Endless Summer Race: City Room, New York Times
“I see them running every day and I think, ‘These people never sleep,’” said Rashdeep Singh, who lives nearby. The runners go from 6 a.m. to midnight, pausing for meals in plastic cups, water and a fresh pair of shoes. Before the race ends next week, each will have exhausted about 25 pairs. read more »

More coverage:

- Fox 5 News: Runners seek spiritual experience(link is external) - see video below
- Public Radio International's 'The World'

[video url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5q8uw0Co3M"]

Video by AFP news agency:

[video url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxPgwGq7OSA"]

Our interactive daily graphs on the homepage were inspired by the graphs that Matthias van Baaren from Vienna has been sending us since the beginning of the race (he also sent us the fun Chicken Run graphic from a couple of weeks ago). We havent been able to get around to putting them all up, but here are some graphs from day 42 just to give you an idea. Thank you very much Matthias!

Clicking on the images will open up the associated PDF's in a new tab.

Position changes during race:

Versus the 59.6 mile per day time limit:

Furthest and least mileage covered by runners, by day:

Predicted finish (based on average speed by day 42):

Relative position of runners:

Distance covered (days 36-42):

Daily mileage:

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Consistency and recovery are the hallmarks of a multiday runner. Sarvagata Ukrainskyi has embodied those qualities vividly as he dominates the 3100 Mile Race. His 495+ mile week again is strong and consistent, topped off by a magnificent 81.2 mile day to end the week. William Sichel is showing his toughness as he has climbed to within only 13 laps of eighth place, and more importantly, only 25 laps more to make up to become level with necessary daily mileage. He has come back from 80+ miles below the standard to just over 12 miles- and still looking strong. Sarah Barnett continues to lead the ladies with her 61.7 miles a day average.

- Sahishnu

It's hard to grasp the magnitude of 3100 Mile race. Fortunately, the town of Chicken, Alaska (population 17) happens to lie exactly 3100 miles away from the finish line in Queens NY. So if the race were to start in Chicken and finish in New York, how far would the runners be towards their goal today? Currently they are on day 28 out of 52.

You can click on the image to see it full size. Thank you to Matthias van Baaren from Vienna for this!

Sarvagata Ukrainski amazes because of his high level of consistency within the race. He reached 496+ miles this week averaging 70.87 miles per day. He has gained a few miles more each of the first four weeks. The average daily high temperature for the week did not exceed 87ºF, but the humidity index has gone up. Yuri Trostenyuk, Vasu Duzhiy and William Sichel have all made gains in their weekly totals, and Sarah Barnett and Jayasalini Olga Abramovskikh have held their form and consistency throughout the week. Everyone looks thinner and fitter, but with three and a half weeks to go a runner has to maintain bodyweight for the last push to the finish.

The following charts were created using the Microsoft Excel charting tool,   As such they are static images in jpeg format.  I am happy to be able to provide live dynamic charts on the home page of this site, or here in full screen format.  The new format is hopefully more informative and is certainly easier to maintain.

- Medur

The Relative Place chart displays the relative position of the runners as a percentage of the total combined cumulative distance run each day relative to the cutoff.  The cutoff is the distance required to finish the race within the official race duration of 52 days.

The Daily Splits chart plots the actual daily mileage of each runner.

The Progress Chart displays the distance covered to date in blue with the remaining distance required in red.  The vertical dotted line indicates the cutoff.

Relative Position - Day 24

Legend

Daily Mileage - Day 24

Daily Progress - Day 24

The third week mirrored resolve and determination as 12 of the fourteen have gone past the 1000 mile barrier.  Sarvagata Ukrainskyi continues to dominate the field while reaching 491 miles for the week.  He is averaging just under 70 miles per day(112.5 km), and should hit the halfway point Monday afternoon. Hurricane Arthur touched the area with its outer reaches, but sticky, rainy, windy conditions could not stop the runners. Nearly the whole group is staying to the midnight bell each day to gain maximum mileage. Sarah Barnett still leads the women’s side and is averaging 62.5 miles per day (100.6 km).

- Sahishnu

The burden of high mileage, less sleep, physical  and mental discomfort and a tough running surface takes its toll on nearly everyone in the 3100 Mile Race. Sarvagata Ukrainskyi was able to punch out a better week than the first one as his fitness level spiraled up to 495+ miles. He is averaging 69.8 miles per day(112.36 km). He reached 1000 miles (14 days+06:15:54). Yuri Trostenyuk remains in second at 936.3 miles. Sarah Barnett continues to lead the ladies by over 30 miles, and looks focused and fit. In all, eleven of the fourteen starters are still on pace for a finish, with many more miles to go. The local schools are out for summer vacation, but the classroom at the 3100 Mile race is always open.

Sarvagata Ukrainskyi  of Berdansk, Ukraine has assumed top position in the first week of the race with 482.39 miles, averaging nearly 69 miles per day and rounding into good form. He was followed by countryman Yuri Trostenyuk of  Vinnitsa, Ukraine with  470 miles. Sarah Barnett pulled ahead of the other two women with a week of 443.43 miles, slipping past Jayasalini Olga Abramovskikh of Russia by three miles. Moderate temperatures have helped the group of fourteen runners approach a better overall fitness in the race. Runners have to reach 59.61 miles per day in order to finish the 3100 mile distance within the 52-day time limit. Summer solstice has arrived but temperatures have not begun to soar yet.  We shall see.

Sarvagata Ukrainskyi,41, Berdansk Ukraine

In 2011 in his first attempt at 3100 miles Sarvagata emerged victorious in 44 days+13:38:52, averaging 69.56 miles per day (111.96 km), which is the fastest first time performance (fifth fastest all-time). He ran the Ten Day Race that April finishing with 605 miles, which was a personal best. In the four 10 day segments of that 3100 mile race he ran 653, then 710, then 745 and finally 720 miles. 2012 saw Sarvagata finish second in the 3100 miler in 46 days+03:42:17. Last year he managed a third finish. He has been running 13 years with ten multidays completed. He lives with his wife in Berdansk, Ukraine.

Pranjal Milovnik,42, Bratislava Slovakia

A multiday veteran, Pranjal has completed the 3100 miler nine times. His best is 47 days+04:19:49 (65.68 miles/day-105.72 km), run in 2010. In 2005 he completed his first 3100 miler in 59 days,12 hours. Since that year he has improved by over 12 days, an amazing result. He is ranked twelfth all time for 3100 miles.

Vasu Duzhiy, 48, St. Petersburg Russia

Last year Vasu finished very strongly in the last two weeks to garner the first finisher laurels, reaching 3100 miles in 47 days +05:39:05. In 2012 Vasu finished an inspiring double- finishing second in the Ten Day in April with 713 miles, and capping his summer with a finish in the 3100 mile race in 51 days+10:47:39. He is now ranked 13th all-time for 3100 miles.

Stutisheel Lebedyev, 42, Kiev Ukraine

Another prolific multiday specialist, Stutisheel has completed seven 3100 mile races in nine attempts. His best is 48 days+12:42:46, an average of 63.88 miles per day(102.81 km). He is ranked 19th all-time at 3100 miles.

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin, 39, Kosice Slovakia

Ananda-Lahari is a five-time finisher of the 3100 mile race, with a best of 49 days+14:25:37,which rates him at 19th all-time at the distance. This wil be his 13th multiday and tenth attempt at 3100 miles.

Sopan Tsekov, 33, Sofia Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s finest multiday specialist, Sopan was the youngest ever to complete 3100 miles in 2005 at 24 years of age. He has a best of 50 days+13:48:57. He has two finishes to his credit and is ranked 26th alltime at 3100 miles. He is a motivational speaker who inspires athletes to reach their potential, both in Bulgaria and abroad.

Yuri Trostenyuk, 49, Vinittsa Ukraine

Last year after weathering a series of heat waves and dehydration Yuri reached 3100 miles in 51days+04:22:11. He is a four-time winner of the Ten Day Race, with a best of 731 miles. He has been running 15 years and has completed eight multidays, including 455 miles for six days. A humble plumber, Yuri resides in Vinnitsa with his wife and children.

Nidhruvi Zimmerman, 48, Vienna Austria

In her first attempt at 3100 miles last year, Nidhruvi reached the ‘Running Everest’ summit by finishing in 51 days+09:54:59. Nidhruvi happens to be one of the pioneers of the women’s side of multiday running. From 1995 to 2002 she ran eight multiday races of high quality performances. Some of her bests are a 448 miles-six day split in a longer race;1000 miles in 14 days, 22 hours in 1997; and a victory in the 2000 1300 Mile Race in 18 days 20 hours. She competed in that race four times.

Baladev P. Saraz, 38, Slovakia

This will be Baladev’s fifth attempt at 3100 miles. In 2009 he completed the race in 54 days+14:26:40. He is ranked 33rd alltime. He has completed 30 ultras and 14 multidays, including a best at 10 days of 636 miles.

Sarah Barnett, 38, Adelaide Australia

Sarah has been steadily improving for several years at multiday races. She won the Ten Day Race in 2012 with 697 miles(1122 km). She has won multiday races in Greece, Sweden,Turkey and the USA and has steadily built her mileage up. In 2013 she reached 2573.7 miles in her first attempt at 3100 miles, the longest she has ever run. She has the capacity to finish.

William Sichel, 60, Sanday, Orkney, Scotland UK

The United Kingdom’s finest multiday runner, William is a consummate competitor, training and racing for decades. He holds 95 UK, world age-group, or Scottish records. Amongst William’s current records he holds the fastest time to run 1000 miles at over age 50 and has also reached 532 miles for six days. William is dedicating this run to Project165.com to raise funds for CLAN Cancer Support and his dedicated web page can be found at: http://www.justgiving.com/William-Sichel. He is grateful to main sponsors Orkney Micro Renewables and the Orkney Islands Council.

Jayasalini Abramovskih, 33,Moscow Nemchinovka Russia

In nine years of running Jayasalini has shown talent and brilliance in multiday running. She holds Russian records for six days(419.86 miles/672.71 km) and 10 days(673 miles/ 1083.1 km). She has completed seven multidays and looks forward to this great challenge.

Ray Krolewicz,59, Pontiac SC USA

Ray has been running for over forty years, with at least 500+ ultras to his credit. He has completed close to 30 multidays, including 463 miles for six days and 224 miles for 48 hours. He has been thinking about this race for years, and has finally made the push to get to the starting line. Ray has been a teacher, educator, coach and race director for decades and looks forward to this next test. Go Ray.

Teekshanam Dodonu, 38, Geneva Switzerland

In twelve years of running Teekshanam has completed 10 ultras and four multidays. His bests include 580 miles for ten days and 360 miles for six days. He has been training two years for this race, his first attempt at 3100 miles.

People in Queens are running around in circles as part of the 15th annual self-transcendence race, an ultra marathon created by Indian spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy as an exercise in mental and physical discipline...

NY1 News: 7/8/2011

more...

NEW YORK, Saturday – Perhaps it is the most striking Dutch sports achievement of the year. Runner Pradeep Hoogakker (33) ran 53 days in a row from 6 a.m. until midnight and covered nearly 5000 kilometres. Thursday night he became the first countryman to complete the 3100 Mile Race, the Mount Everest of ultramarathons.

De Telegraff 8/6/2011

МОСКВА, 26 сен - РИА Новости. Соревнования по бегу под девизом "Самоопределение" состоятся в Центральном парке культуры и отдыха имени Горького в Москве 27 сентября, сообщает в понедельник пресс-служба префектуры Центрального административного округа (ЦАО) столицы.

"В основе этого состязания лежит не стремление победить других, а преодоление себя, соревнование со своими возможностями. У многих возникает вопрос - для чего же тогда нужен массовый забег? Но когда собираются все вместе, это вдохновляет на физический и нравственный прогресс, глядя на других, ты желаешь достичь большего", - пояснил РИА Новости организатор забега.

По его мнению, дистанцию забега в две мили, или 3,218 тысячи метров, может покорить любой.

Это расстояние составляет минимальную дистанцию марафонской команды, известного общественного деятеля Шри Чинмоя, участники которой и выступают организаторами забега в Москве. Шри Чинмой был основателем марафонской команды, рекордсменом в поднятии тяжестей с мировым именем. Он также известен как писатель, поэт, композитор, певец, музыкант и художник. Он считал, что соревнование - это хорошо, если оно проводится ради самопревосхождения, а не ради демонстрации своего эго.

По данным пресс-службы ЦАО, соревнования пройдут в парке Горького уже в 20-й раз. Как правило, для участия в забеге приезжают целыми семьями, школьные классы и ветераны бега из Москвы и Подмосковья. При этом порядка 40% участников составляют юноши и девушки до 16 лет.

Забег "Самопреодоление" пройдет в рамках акции "Две недели здоровья", организованной префектурой ЦАО. Цель акции - привлечь жителей к спорту и здоровому образу жизни, она проводится с 24 сентября по 8 октября.

26.09.2011

РИА Новости