Rimas Jakelaitis started the assault on the course with an eight minute mile, and never looked back. Last yearís Six day winner, Rimas had trained diligently for the Ten, looking to take out Latvian Georgs Jermolajevsícourse record of 725 miles. He even had the lofty goal of 900+ miles and beyond. The famous Greek runner Yiannis Kouros had once reached 964 miles in ten days in the 1988 1000 mile race. Jakelaitisí first day in this race of 116 miles practically sealed his victory. Elvira Janosi of Yugoslavia led the womenís field with 81 miles, followed by Vedika Bolliger from Switzerland, the English Channel swimmer who slipped past 78 miles. None of the other nine men cracked 90 miles nor the other women 80.

Rimas poured it on during the next 48 hours, reaching 212 miles by the end of Day 2, then running 95 miles on Day 3 to reach 307 miles for 72 hours, an excellent start. By the end of four days, Rimas had an 84 mile lead, and Elvira was comfortably ahead by 41 miles.

On April 30, the Six day event began. The biggest surprise would be the participation of the Hall of Famer, running pioneer, the father of long distance running in this country- 81 year old Ted Corbitt. Ted started his first multiday, intent on walking up to fifty miles a day. In the prime of his career back in the 60ís and 70ís, Ted would probably have run this race if it had existed then. Ted was never afraid to test his limits- he used his body and spirit as a laboratory, trying to discover his physical capabilities for extreme endurance. Race after race he entered. But this race was 25 years removed from those prodigious training weeks and months of competitions. Ted had endured severe asthma attacks that curtailed his competitive career in the mid 1970ís. Recently with the advice of a few enlightened doctors, he gradually overcame that affliction. He began to walk long distances last spring and summer, hopeful of toeing the line for the race that was only a few miles away from his home in the Bronx. He told us last spring that he had bought a camping tent for the race, so he might as well train for the Six Day so that he could put the tent to good use. Ted had in recent years walked in a 24 hour, 100 mile, and 80km events dedicated to his memorable achievements,which are numerous, and was even seen watching the 1000 mile racers and 3100 mile distance experts negotiate their adventures. He was again a pioneer- no one over 80 had ever finished a six-day.

The menís and womenís course record holders were in the race- David Luljak from Chevy Chase,MD and Dipali Cunningham from Melbourne,Australia. Luljak had only decided the day before the race to try the Six Day again; he had set the course record in 1998 with 541 miles. Cunningham was intent on breaking her own world road best of 504 miles until a flu bug zapped her less than two weeks before the race. She showed up on race day happy and fit, but a hacking cough accompanied her every lap. Nobuaki Koyago from Japan and Ray Bell from Florida, both extreme distance specialists who had finished the Trans-America Race in 1995, and Namitabha Arsic of Yugoslavia, finisher of last yearís brutal summer 3100 miler, were also expected to do well.

Sri Chinmoy, founder and organizer of the Marathon Team, greeted the runners. As the Six-day began on that sunny, windy Sunday afternoon, the rush of energy was felt by runners and helpers alike.There were seven novices in the shorter event, including the great elder statesman, Mr. Corbitt. Ted walked the first mile in 15:40 and had his effort mask on already. He was serious about doing well. We had a secret section marked on the course where Ted could quietly jog 81 meters in honor of his 81 years. Ted told us that he used to train like that years ago. A small marked section on a familiar loop would be his time to ëmove ití. David, Nobuaki, Ray Bell and Namitabha all moved out in front and traded the lead for the first five or six hours. Dipali,multi-triathlon star Silvia Andonie from Mexico, and Lenka Svecova from the Czech Republic separated themselves from the rest of the ladies. Ted reached 55 miles before the first day ended and seemed satisfied with his results. After a short nap, he was back on the road, still intent on completing the race. David Luljak had topped 111 miles, to be followed by Namitabha Arsic with 107 and Nobuaki Koyago with 100. The rest of the field was scattered behind them. Dipali had run 110 miles, still coughing occaisonally, with Silvia Andonie at 101.

As the second day ended for the Six-day people, the 10-Day runners slipped past six days of their own, with Rimas hitting 500 but feeling weak with a flu bug. Elvira ran 351 miles, her personal best, and Pekka Aalto ran 370 to hold second place overall in the Ten Day. Back in the Six,a conservative 85 mile second day helped David Luljak increase his lead to 16 miles over Nobuaki Koyago. Dipali netted 71 miles; she was now 26 ahead of her closest pursuer.Ted turned in another 50 mile day, giving him 105 miles. His next goal was 150 miles for three days- the recommended standard for people to stay in the race.People who were a lot younger than Ted. Still he continued on, stopping once for a blister treatment in medical, but otherwise intact and injury free.

Ted walked most of the night after an early evening nap, then plodded on needing 10 miles in the last five hours to make 150 by 6:00 PM on Wednesday. Make it he did, establishing a new three day mark for over 80 folks. His 150 miles was a great achievement, but the effort had tired him out considerably. He was leaning quite a bit forward due to a muscle imbalance, but otherwise felt okay. Ted didnít think he could reach his goal of 301 miles, but he was happy and grateful. I walked a half a lap with him to guage his condition, and we ended up talking about the 1952 Olympic Marathon, and later how he had wanted to run across America after hearing about Kiwi Bruce Tullohís record setting adventure in 1973. Ted was firm in believing he could cross in 42 days or so. He also had decided to taper down and rest more often so that he could finish the whole six days.

David Luljak had a 22 mile lead and 287 miles after three days, with Rimas checking in with 578 miles after 7 days. With less than three days to go, the runners prepared for the final push. With rain nowhere in sight and the temperature moving into the low 80ís, conditions would be good for a push to the end. Ted walked more slowly and took more frequent breaks. He added 31 miles to his total for four days- 181 miles. David Luljak ran 74 miles on Day 5, maintaining a 48 mile lead on Nobuaki. But his energy had diminished, and a lot of walking was the only medicine for a tired runner. Rimas also looked tired, but came out to run long enough to keep on course record pace.

Not making his goal bothered Ted a lot, but he had already passed one of the runners, and was looking forward to stopping completely on Saturday. His forward lean was more pronounced, but was a product of tired or weak obliques and psoas muscles near the hip. His chiropracter friend worked on him a lot for two evenings, and Ted regained a little better posture for the last day push. His fifth day total of 208 miles was still excellent, and with warmer air settling into the area, it was time for one last effort.

Like the last hour of a 24-hour race, the last day of a multiday is usually a time to let everything go. Run until you drop. Reach deep inside for that last bit of energy, and pray the end comes soon. As the last sunrise painted the course in reddish-gold hues, the runners picked up their intensity one last time. Nobuaki used his dynamic strength to run 81 miles on the last day, shaving David Luljakís lead from 48 to 21 miles, but David cruised in for his second six -day victory in the last three years with 502 miles. Dipali Cunningham also hammered on the last day and finished with 80+ miles for a total of 456+ miles, and her third victory in three tries for the ladies. Elvira Janosi held on for the win in the 10 Day with 550 miles, her personal best. Rimas Jakelaitis, fighting a flu-like attack for days, set a new course record for 10 days for the men with 745 miles. And to great applause, Ted Corbitt walked 32 miles on the sixth day for a 240 mile total, and a walk into immortality.

Ted and the other athletes were honored with trophies and mementos from their ordeal after the race at the awards ceremony, and to the surprise of everyone all the runners were invited to climb onto a large, decorated parade float, to be driven around the course one last time. They were then serenaded with songs and music, as a wonderful multiday happening had finally come to an end. Gratitude is reserved for all the helpers and volunteers and professionals of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team who so lovingly have given of their time, and of course to Sri Chinmoy, who has inspired the running community with his races of long and longer distance; encouraging the seeker-runners of the world to test their limits.

The 42 runners will each have their own stories to tell, their own experiences with pain and joyfulness and personal satisfaction. But the feeling of seeing a legend get up to bat one more time, or play one more game before retiring, or being brought out for one last bow to the crowd was dominant emotion at Wards Island Park in New York. With the exception that the legend will return, God willing, to walk and maybe run another day. Ted is recuperating nicely and looks forward to returning to training, and maybe even passing a few more people next time, on his walks around the park. Chasing dreams, and moving into the sunset, humbly and fearlessly. Good luck to all who run ultras.

• Sahishnu Szczesiul

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Sri Chinmoy Ten Day Race April 26- May 6, 2000

Wards Island Park, NY 1- mile loop, Paved,Certified -(with 24-hr,48-hr and 6-Day splits)

1. Rimas Jakelaitis,45,LIT 745 miles ! (116,212,500) 2. Pekka Aalto,29, FIN 670 (84,159,425) 3. Marcus Muller,35 GER 630 (84,147,377) 4. Elvira Janosi, 44,YUGO 550 (81,143,351) 5 Abichal Sherrington,39,Wales,UK 527 (75,131,332) 6. Diane File,54, NZ 510 (67,118,309) 7. Martin Milovnick,26 SLOV 508 (69,122,307) 8. Vedika Bolliger, 35,SWIT 500 (78,133,332) 9. Andrea Papp,38 HUN 450 (57,100,266) 10. Norbert Karolyi,24,HUN 440 (85,171,331) 11. Misha Pavlovic,45, YUGO 413 (74,120,269) 12.Valeri Stobsky,34, BUL 401 (74,121,279) 13. Don Winkley,62, Corpus Christi,TX 362 (73,131,250) 14. Willard Davis,45 Austin, TX 351 (60,100,241)

Sri Chinmoy Six Day Race April 30- May 6, 2000 29 starters Wards Island Park, NY 1- mile loop, Paved,Certified -(with 24-hr,48-hr splits) 1. David Luljak,44,Chevy Chase,MD 502 miles (111,196) 2. Nobuaki Koyago, JAP 481 (100,180) 3. Dipali Cunningham, AUS 456+598y (110,181) 4. Arpan DeAngelo,47,NY 415 (92,142) 5. Ray Bell,52,Hudson, FL 400 (90,156) 6. Dejan Maksimovic, 33,YUGO 400 (82,150) 7. Silvia Andonie,44,MEX 394+1054y (101,155) 8. Luis Rios,52, Brooklyn NY 360 (87,129) 9. Namitabha Arsic, 35,YUGO 340 (107,156) 10. Kathy Davies, 27,NZ 337 (78,128) 11. Daan Rob, 56,The Netherlands 335 (71,125) 12. Lenka Svecova, CZ R 334 (89,133) 13. Jeff Washburn, Beverly,MA 328 (86,127) 14. Sonja Hammerl,25,AUT 321 (83,131) 15. Christophe Rochotte,37, FRA 314 (78,137) 16. Harald Reisecker,30, AUT 313 (71,128) 17. Raymond Zirblis,45,Calais,VT 311 (81,136) 18. Svetlana Khissamoutdinova,56,RUS 303 (70,122) 19. Michael Dorovitsine,41,Astoria,NY 300 (75,125) 20. Zoran Stanimirovic,34, YUGO 287 (74,120) 21. Adam Bookspan,34,Aventura, FL 280 (75,120) 22. Tim Kourounis,62,Rosedale NY 275 (72,122) 23. Unnatishil Bravo,42, FRA 271 (73,123) 24. Chanakhya Jakovic,46,UK 270 (69,115) 25. Gael Ballantyne, New Zealand 255 (60,100) 26. Jirka Caslava,25,CZ R 253 (65,108) 27. Ted Corbitt,81, New York,NY 240 (WR 80-84) pending ratification (55,105) 28. Pete Coffin,54,Salt Lake City, UT 213 (68,107)