Posted on the Ultralist:
Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2016 16:22:19 -0600
From: Mark Dorion
Subject: Sri Chinmoy Ultras– April 13– news
Finishing early today (Wed Apr 13), competitive race walkers survived the twisty, hilly loop of the Sri Chinmoy 12 hour walk in Jamaica Hills, Queens, NYC. The course includes some of the same paved paths used for the 3100 mile (5000Km– world’s longest ultra) in summer. The racewalk course record holder, Abhinabha Hidde Tangerman (Netherlands), has also run close to 2:30 in a standard marathon. Many people understimate how much running speed many world class walkers have– the 1984 Olympic 50Km gold medalist, Raul Gonzalez of Mexico, cruised to a 2:16:38 marathon off of mostly race walk training.
Meanwhile, the annual Invitational Marathon (traditionally held in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park but this year moved to the vicinity of the 12 hour and 3100 routes) on April 9 was won in 2:54 in extremely cold conditions.
And finally– on April 19 the 10 day racers start their 1.5 week trek along the shores of scenic Meadow Lake, where college rowers and sailors inspire and entertain them from out on the lake. This is the same body of water around which Scotland’s legendary Don Ritchie ran 11:51 for 100 miles in 1978. Many other historic ultras and marathons have been held in the vast park– some even INSIDE the Mets’ old Shea Stadium (now replaced by Citi Field just across the parking lot).
All this running is connected in one way or another with April 13th– the day race founder/ coordinator Sri Chinmoy first arrived in the USA in 1964. Early on Sri Chinmoy started offering shorter races (2,3, 7, 10 miles etc.) to the public in the northeast USA, soon expanding to ultras and races all over the world.
There will be runners from a record 27 countries contesting the combined 6/10 day race. Sadly, several top USA runners had entered but have been last minute scratches. In the 6 day, veteran world 24 hour team member John Geesler from St. Johnsville, NY will go toe-to-toe with New York City’s record-holding Dipali C. Cunningham.
Though coming off a series of injuries and with minimal training, your’s truly plans to be on the line with the goal of not being last place and reaching 280 miles.
Best wishes to all ultra runners– and especially multiday athletes– around the world–
Sri Chinmoy Six and Ten Day Races 2016 website: http://us.srichinmoyraces.org/events/6-10-day-race
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