The 10th Annual Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race

Friends Conversing...

Hey - how ya doin'?

Good - what's new?

Not much - what's up?

Well, here's a question for you:
It happens once a year in New York - what is it?

The annual sale at Sears?

Oh sure - but that's not the answer I'm looking for.

The frantic gathering of nuts by millions of squirrels - no wait - the Canadian Geese visit during migration?

Nooo...

The New York City Marathon?

Now your on the trail! Here's your second clue: Humans run around in circles for two months.

I know - local government elections. Ha!

Uh-uh.

More clues - more clues already!

Suprabha Beckjord finishing in 2005

OK - Participants eat twice the amount of food than is accepted as normal for human beings each day, sleep half the amount of time accepted as normal for human beings each day, wear out twice as many pairs of shoes in two months as normal human beings do each year, try to run over two marathons a day on average for two months and remain happy, and have a tendency to come back each year and do it all again - just like the Canadian Geese! Give up?

Sure do - what's the rub?

Well here's the thing. Once a year, the unassuming neighbourhood of Jamaica in Queens, New York, plays host to a small but hardy group of individuals who gather from all over the globe to participate in the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team's annual Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race - the longest certified foot race in the world. The athletes attempt to negotiate 5649 laps of a .5488 mile (883 metre) loop course in the time-span of 51 days - an amazing challenge as they must average 60.7 miles (two marathons plus change) per day to finish within the 51-day limit!

Your making this up right? And some of them have done this more than once?!

They sure have - this is the 10 year straight for the 3100 mile race. One runner - 50 year old Suprabha Beckjord of Washington D.C. - is coming back to toe the line for 10th time already! She has started and finished in all of the 3100 mile races so far and ran quite a few long races before that. These races are sponsored by a running organisation founded by the global harmony advocate Sri Chinmoy - the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team offers some 500 fun-runs and races from 2 mile to the 3100, plus swimming events and triathlons all over the world.

Srdjan Stojanovich finishing in 2005

When does the 3100 mile race start?

Sunday June 11th - at 6am. The runners run or walk all day and take rests when they wish to, but all have a mandatory break between midnight and 6am the next day. Food, massage, rest facilities and medical care is provided around the clock at the start/finish point of their running loop. This year boasts the largest feild ever - 15 runners.

Are these guys nuts? I gotta ask you, what's the point?

Nuts? Far from it! For the runners, support crew and helpers, it's a chance to explore the unknown - to find out what kind of perseverance they have within themselves. They try to bring forward determination and courage to help them get through what is a big task - two and a bit marathons a day is no joke for 51 days! These folks are explorers of the limits of human nature and discoverers of what lies beyond limitation - kind of like mountain climbing pioneers.

Well, we can go visit them right?

Sure - or you can catch the 3100 Mile Race Daily Journal online at the 3100 mile race website where you can also view information about the The 2006 Runners. You can even send them your best wishes through the Virtual Cheer Squad.

Hey - I got a question for you.

Go ahead - make my day!

Whataya say we get a coffee and go down and cheer 'em on?

Sure - you're buying right?

Now who's actin' nuts...