At the start of day 52, the last day of the 3100 mile race, Nirbhasa makes sure he gets off to a good start in order to finish his full miles today. With just under 40 miles to go he will be the last full 3100 mile finisher. Kaneenika will pass 3000 miles and Baladev and Ananda-Lahari should break the 2700 mile mark as well. Along with a short funny skit by Nirbhasa and his brother Sadanand it has started out as an exciting day. 

Less than 6 hours before the official end of the 3100 mile race, Nirbhasa Magee completed his journey becoming the first Irish person to do so. By midnight Kaneenika had passed 3000 miles and finished with 3014. Ananda-Lahari ended the race with 2737 miles and Baladev finished with 2694 miles. It was an exciting night as these three runners remaining to the very end after Nirbhasa's finish were treated to a final ceremony they very well deserved. In these final photos (click on the arrows above), and the videos below we get a taste of the joy that was prevelant in the crowd celebrating all the hero-runners of this amazing race.

Stutisheel Lebedyev completed the 3100 Mile Self-Transcendence Race for the ninth time today to the delight of an enthusiastic crowd. His wife and daughter, who have been helping him the whole time, were delighted and relieved as he crossed the finish line once again. He battled some difficult times with a few health complications which he bravely faced and patiently fought through to come out victorious in the end. Although it was not his fastest time in this race, crossing the finish line in any time is a great personal achievement for anyone. Tomorrow, the last day of the race, we should see Nirbhasa cross the line in the early evening. The other remaining runnners: Kaneenika, Baladev and Ananda-Lahari, will not cover the full 3100 miles, but nevertheless will stay the course until the end and celebrate their own personal victories as well.  The ultimate goal of 3100 miles is not always reached by everyone in the race. Yet self-transcendence is still experienced on many levels. All of the runners, regardless of the distance covered, have demonstrated this powerful concept each and every day.

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, Atmavir Peter Spacil completed the 3100 mile race for his 8th finish. He place 5th overall this year in 48 days, 7 hours and 13 minutes. a huge crowd was on hand as this very strong Czech runner overcame some health hurdles during the race to finish strongly in the final days. With six runners left in the race which ends at midnight on Tuesday, August 4, there is still lots of action and excitement to come.

Every day is a special day in the 3100 mile race. So many people come to help, sing, support, and cheer on the runners. Today, Jim and Annette Magee, the parents of Nirbhasa, came all the way from Ireland to cheer on their son in his last few days of reaching the ultimate goal of 3100 miles. They showed up on the course as he was making a turn toward our 'camp' in the evening before sunset. It was a joyous occasion for the whole family, including Sadanand, Nirbhasa's brother and helper. Later in the night Surasa, our woman leader, passed the 3000 mile mark, well on her way to a great 3100 mile finish soon. We also witnessed a big and bright 'blue moon' which is when a full moon ocurrs for the second time in the same month. This only happens about every 3 years or so. To add to the excitement of the day, Atmavir will finish tomorrow afternoon after reaching 3000 miles early this morning as the excitement in this epic journey continues towards the end. 

It was a very hot and humid day today. But most of the runners fared well as they are getting closer to the goal. They also get inspiration when they see their fellow pilgrims finally reach the goal. Late at night, Yuri finished this great race for the fourth time, with a personal best in 45 days, 16 hours and 45 minutes. There was a large, enthusiastic crowd on hand to cheer him on, congratulate him and sing for him.