The Self-Transcendence 10 day Race 2014 gets underway at 12:00 noon today in Queens, New York. Mark Dorion recently posted on the Ultralist and I have reproduced those here along with a heads up for the start of Utpal Marshall’s daily coverage of the events on his blog Perfection-Journey. Utpal’s first post is simply titled 6 & 10 Day Race…..Setting Up and reports on the construction of the little village that is the heart of activity on the shores of Flushing Meadow Lake.
For those who have never been to New York (the 10 & 6 day races), this is an interesting window on how the event is organised and what it offers to the runner in the way of services and support. The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team has been holding multiday events since it’s first 1000 mile race in New York in 1985.
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 13:40:09 -0600
From: Mark Dorion
Subject: World Class Int’l Field at New York S.T. 6/ 10 Day Races!
The U.S.A.’s most international ultra, with 24 countries having entrants, starts at high noon Saturday April 19th under the big shade trees in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, New York City.
Heading up the 10 day race is Finland’s world class Asprihanal Pekka Aalto. For all U.S. trail runners, Aalto speed-hiked both the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails solo when he was 19-21 years old, and went on to win numerous multi-day races around the globe, including the world’s longest race– the New York Self-Transcendence 3100 mile (5000Km)– seven times (he has 12 finishes). He has won numerous 6 days with a PR of 510 miles.
Another finisher of multi-day ultras around the globe, including the 3100, Slovakia’s Baladev P. Saraz “warmed up” for the 10 day by placing 2nd in a 12 hour race walk a few days ago. Former 3100 mile winner and noted chef Sarvagata Misha Ukrianskyi of Ukraine will chase these guys.
North America’s ubiquitous Fred Davis III and Quebec’s Michel Gouin will again toe the line, as will runners from Taiwan, Ireland, Australia, and even Seattle, Washington.
On the distaff side, Vienna Symphony cellist the always-smiling Shamita Achenbach-Konig will chase many-time winner (including a PR of 724 miles) Kaneenika Terezia Janakova of New York City. Young Ilvaka Nemcova, who seemingly was doing multi-days when she was in high school and is now 33, will also be back. Argentina’s Gabriela Cotigno adds to the list of illustrious international runners.
I shall send info. on the 6 day runners (race starts April 23) later. While injured and limping badly, I plan to be there working at the race and shall try to post regular updates under the heading “Live from New York!”
Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2014 17:43:16 -0600
From: Mark Dorion
Subject: Cunningham, Balatskyy Headline World Class New York 6 Day–
A truly world class field of top international runners, including several former winners, headlines the 17th annual New York Self-Transcendence 6 day race that starts April 23 at high noon. Trying to maintain one of the greatest WIN STREAKS in all of ultra running, New York City’s Dipali Catherine Cunningham goes after women’s title #`17. She has also won
several of the NY 6 day races OUTRIGHT, including impressive totals of 513+ and 510 miles. Prior to her first 6 day win, she won the 10 day race with an impressive 723 miles.
On the men’s side, Ukraine’s Galya Vladimir Balatskyy will try to earn back the title he won two years ago (482+ miles). I ran in Coach Balatskyy’s first 6 day with him 10 years ago, and he finished about 10 miles ahead of me 328 to 318). Since then he has several top finishes at the world’s longest ultra, the NY S.T. 3100 Mile, has won multi-days in Texas, Arizona
and elsewhere, and has appeared in US trail ultra and marathon results from various states.
Pushing Balatskyy will be Ireland’s Eoin Keith (300+ miles in 72 hours), Canada’s ageless 61-year young George Biondic and 57 year young Roger Martel, Mongolia’s Budjargal Byambaa, and New York State’s own John Geesler.
Georgia, USA’s talented Vikena Yutz, who may well have challenged Dipali on the distaff side, is a last minute withdrawal.
In fact, if I had just one dollar for every USA ultra runner (particularly at Across The Years back in January) who TOLD me they would race in New York (several even pestering me numerous times over the past few months for logistical and race details) but then got cold feet, I would have a good wad of cash.
Whether USA ultra runners and media want to admit it or not, this IS the USA’s most international ultra (yes, even more countries represented than at Western States or Leadville). I shall try to post updates to the list regularly.
Stay tuned . . .
Best wishes to all ultra runners around this big globe,
Mark D
“There is only one perfect road, and it is ahead of you– always ahead of
you.” –New York Self-Trans. Race Founder Sri Chinmoy
More info. may be obtained at the race website–
http://us.srichinmoyraces.org/events/10-day-race
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