Welcome to the 21st Annual Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race and one of the most remarkable races in history! Called ‘The Mount Everest of Ultramarathons’ by The New York Times, this is the longest certified footrace in the world and the 2017 event has just kicked off in New York with the first ever woman Kiwi contender.

Athletes are able to test themselves in a format unlike any other ultra-marathon event. They must average 59.6 miles per day, for 52 straight days, in order to reach 3100 miles. They must run these miles between 6am and midnight each day. The surface is concrete sidewalks around a playground, ball fields, and the confines of a vocational high school, and all in a city neighborhood setting. The physical and psychological demands are prodigious, if not overwhelming. Thus, participation is limited to invited athletes who have a history of multi-day running experience and elite endurance abilities.

Day 1: New Faces, New Beginnings
Ten runners started the 21st running of the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race this morning at precisely 6:00 am. The concrete sidewalk course has been used the previous 20 years as a test of extreme endurance, stamina, and running ability beyond any normal realm. Founded by spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, the .5488 of a mile course (883.2079 meters) has been the playground for ultra elites who have tested themselves by trying to run nearly 60 miles every day for 52 days. Five time finisher and 2013 winner Vasu Duzhiy from Russia led the way through the early going, but carefully avoided the heat of a sunny Father’s Day until sundown. At the end of the 18-hour day, Mr Duzhiy totalled 75.18 miles(120.99 km) to lead veteran Austrian Smarana Puntigam by five laps. Nirbhasa Magee of Ireland ran strongly in the evening to reach 71.34 miles. Kaneenika Janakova, the Slovakian champion led the ladies with 69.7 miles, just two ticks ahead of Austrian Nidhruvi Zimmermann. Surprise first-timer women Harita Davies ( New Zealand) and Yolanda Holder also did well with 68.05 and 60.36 miles, respectively.

You can see more here:

Interview with New Zealand runner Harita Davies

Enjoy Daily blog in Perfection Journey

Watch live CAM on SCMT NY Live Stream