Sri Chinmoy Ultra Trio 2000: Jakelaitis Smashes 1300 Record
This past September, 35 runners from 16 countries participated in the Thirteenth Annual Sri Chinmoy Ultra Trio, the unique event with distances of 1300, 1000, and 700 miles. The runners in the longer races start first, and eventually all races end on the same day. The 1300 miler is one of the most difficult races in the world, due to the stiff mileage requirements of 72.2 per day for 18 days for men, and 68.4 per day for 19 days for women. Most runners strong enough and lucky enough to finish will have probably slept for only three or four hours each day in the quest for miles.This year six runners toed the line. There were also nine people in the 1000 miler and 21 in the 700 miler.
Martina Hausmann from Germany and Nidruvi Zimmermann from Austria were the only women entrants in the 1300 miler. They watched and learned from each other, staying close in miles and in tactics. The first day Hausmann ran 94 miles to Zimmermann's 92. Hausmann finished last year despite the setback of Hurricane Flloyd battering the East Coast and causing the race to stop for 38 hours. Zimmermann had stopped after five days with a serious leg injury in 1999, but was healthy now and ready to battle Martina.
The men's race had four eager volunteers, the fittest among them being Rimas Jakelaitis, a 45 year old from Lithuania, living in nearby Brooklyn. Rimas won the Six Day race in 1999, and in the Ten Day earlier this year he set a course record with 745 miles. Injury free and ready to roll, Rimas ran 116 miles the first day, establishing a 13 mile lead over Andreas Puntigam from Austria(103 miles). Thomas Reckziegel from Switzerland and Victor Kuzmin from Russia could only muster 95 and 84 miles respectively. Rimas looked smooth and efficient. He increased the lead to 20 miles after two days,totalling 197 miles, and was on his way to perhaps another excellent performance.
The 1000 mile women started two days later, led by Austrian Paula Mairer, who won in 1999 in 17 days 4 hours. Svetlana Khissamoutinova,,56,in only her second multiday but a former speed-skater and athletic trainer in Russia; German Else Bayer,61, a fair runner who finished the 700 last year, and Canadian Huguette Charce-Gaspard,47, from Quebec,Canada rounded the distaff field. Mairer wasted no time in establishing a lead with her 92 mile first day. Svetlana chased with 85 miles, Bayer with 80.
A day later the men began with five eager runners, four of them first-timers at the kilo. Hubert Muckenhumer of Austria led the group with 87 miles, followed closely by Martin Milovnik of Slovakia. No one in this men's field had ever run 700 miles, let alone 1000. But you never know. This was the fifteenth running of the 1000 miler by the SCMT since 1985. Some might recall the pioneers of multidays past-1985 in the first 1000 miler Don Choi winning in 15 days three hours; Trishul Cherns(in this year's 700 miler) staying close despite shinsplints; Emile Laharrague of France pounding his feet into pulp but reaching the goal; Bob Wise of Georgia walking 903 miles on buttermilk and double-strength coffee.These guys had never run the distance before back in 1985 when they started. I guess this is another good reason people try the long ones- you never know what you have in the tank unless you try! Your performance is not just about what you did the last two months- it is also about what you have done the last five or ten years.
Dipali Cunningham,42, of Australia led a field of seven ladies from the line in the 700 mile race two days later. She had been overall winner of the 700 the last two years and was again in fantastic shape. Her competition was talented but not necessarily experienced at running for 13 days at a time. Lenka Svecova,26, from Czech Republic and Tina Bercic ,27,from Slovenia gave chase along with veteran Elvira Janosi from Yugoslavia. Cunningham ran 100 miles the first day and never looked back.Svecova stayed back with 86 miles, Janosi totalled 80.
The men's 700 mile race began a full seven days after the 1300 start. Zimmermann and Hausmann were only one mile apart after seven days(506 to 505) as the men's field began. Trishul Cherns from Canada led early with 96 miles, followed closely by Ashprihanal Pekka Aalto from Finland( 94 miles) and Arpan DeAngelo (93 miles). Mr Aalto was on a roll, having finished second in the 10 day with 670 miles in May, and having won the 3100 mile race over the summer(47 days 13 hours). His legs still looked okay as he circumnavigated the mile loop couse near the Triborough Bridge outside the waterways across from the skyline of Manhattan. Mr DeAngelo stayed within ten miles of the leaders for three days until a painful Achilles problem slowed his progress.
The field of 36 runners gained strength from each other as well as the exploits of Rimas Jakelaitis, who was blistering the course with 502 miles for six days. Hausmann and Zimmermann stayed within three miles of each other after 10 days, even passing 700 miles under 240 hours, a remarkable start. Rimas was even better for that distance, taking only 8 days 10 hours to reach the 700 mile mark- a split bettered by only two or three in the world. In the 1000 miler, Paula Mairer had breezed through 6 days with 433 miles and was still ahead of the men. In the 700, Dipali Cunningham passed 6 days with 447 miles, and the Flying Finn Mr. Aalto reached 463 miles to make up the day stagger.
As the race unfolded it was obvious that Rimas Jakelaitis was having a special performance. At ten days he topped 823 miles and was still running 11-12 minute laps. His daily goals of two 12 hour shifts of 40 miles each was being met, and his sleep was adequate if not restful. Even the September weather was pleasant and not too wet. Rimas reached 1000 miles in 11 days 23 hours,a course record and another great split, and he was ecstatic to be 15 hours ahead of 1300 record pace as well. He passed 2000 km some 13 hours under the world record split set in 1993 by Istvan Sipos, and was in the driver's seat now. At the end of 15 days he had only 91 miles to go to break the record, set in 1995 by Latvian Georgs Jermolajevs (16 days, 14 hours). Pushing hard with little sleep the last day, Rimas Jakelaitis ran into the record books once again, finishing 1300 miles in 16 days+00:28:10, establishing a new world best and looking strong for most of the entire race.The hearty Lithuanian constuction worker had taken nearly 14 hours off the record. He averaged 81 miles a day.
The women were on pace to finish the 1300 as well.Nidruvi had a great 1000 mile split-14 days 7 hours(fifth fastest woman alltime), with Martina close behind(14 days,8 hours-sixth fastest). Nidruvi and Martina had shadowed each other for two weeks, with the younger Zimmermann finally making a little break on day 16 with a nine mile lead. But the plucky Hausmann would not give up. By the end of the 18th day, Martina had pulled even with Nidruvi once again.The last day was a test of nerves and an emtying of the reserves.In the middle of the night the tired Hausmann was forced to rest, the fatigue was too strong. Zimmermann made the last push and finished in 18 days, 20 hours- only the fifth woman to ever finish 1300 miles in a certified race. Martina came in at 18 days 23 hours,only a hour under the wire, but beating her time from last year by 37 hours. She said later that she had achieved her dream, and was ecstatic.
Paula Mairer finished the 1000 miler in 14 days 12 hours,(ninth best alltime). She would be the only finisher as Svetlana made it to 872 miles, and Else Bayer stopped at 800 miles.The men were led by Hubert Muckenhumer with 884 miles, and Martin Milovnik with 850.
In the 700, Ashprihanal Aalto prevailed in 9 days five hours, ahead of Dipali Cunningham(9 days 11 hours, and Arpan DeAngelo(9 days 23 hours). Mr Aalto became the first person to ever complete all three Sri Chinmoy multidays in the same calendar year. The go-as-you-please format was appealing to him, as he averaged 74.7 miles a day.
The total of 16 finishers was the highest ever in the history of the Trio, with the bulk of 12 coming in the 700 miler. The finishing list of 1300 miles grew by three, with a new man atop the list. The field was the largest in nine years-36 runners. These are all signs of good growth as well as young blood in the ranks of finishers. Those dozen or so runners back in 1985 who started were the table-setters for future triumphs in this new millenium.But I think all runners and ultrarunners alike can benefit from the trials and tribulations of pioneers past and present. The way the champions carried themselves both then and now,with grace and resilience, we all gain an understanding of our sport and the mystery of stepping outside for a long one- a run of 12 hours or 18 days or even two months.
The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team again is indebted to all the wonderful volunteers, professionals and friends that helped to make this race so special, and who have done so for so many years. Thanks also to the great inspirer Sri Chinmoy who had the vision to help boost the long, long distance runners over 15 years ago to fulfill their dreams and who still does so today. Good luck to ultrarunners everywhere.
Sahishnu Szczesiul
Sri Chinmoy Ultra Trio
Wards Island,NY September 4-23,2000
One -mile loop, paved, certified
(with 24-hour,48-hr, 6-day splits)
Men 1300 miles(18 days cutoff)
1. Rimas Jakelaitis,45,LIT 16 days+00:28:10 !(WB)
(116,197,502)
Andreas Puntigam,29,AUT 974 miles
(103,177,443)
Victor Kuzmin,60,RUS 857
(84,149,326)
Thomas Reckziegel,31,SUI 382
(95,144,378)
Women 1300 miles(19 days cutoff)
1. Nidruvi Zimmermann,35,AUT 18+20:25:44
(92,164,437)
2. Martina Hausmann,40, GER 18+23:05:30
(94,163,438)
Men 1000 miles(15 days cutoff)
Hubert Muchenhumer,33,AUT 884 miles
(87,152,393)
Martin Milovnik,28,SLO 850
(85,145,388)
Karlheinz Kobus,34,GER 750
(83,150,420)
Laszlo Simon,42,HUN 700
(78,156,356)
Chanakhya Jakovic,46,UK 623
Women 1000 miles(16 day cutoff)
1. Paula Mairer,41,AUT 14+12:33:34
(92,164,433)
Svetlana Khissamoutdinova,56,RUS 872 miles
(85,148,366)
Else Bayer,61,GER 800
(80,139,375)
Huguette Charce-Gaspard,47,CAN 601
(63,110,271)
Men 700 miles (12 days cutoff)
1. Ashprihanal Pekka Aalto,30,FIN 9 days+05:44:59
(94,170,463)
2. Arpan DeAngelo,48,US 9+23:51:20
(93,161,415)
3. Trishul Cherns,43,CAN 10+20:03:11
(96,166,434)
4. Virendra Gauthier,48,CAN 11+12:51:58
(80,120,368)
5. Harald Reisecker,31,AUT 11+23:23:12
(73,134,357)
6. Abichal Sherrington,39,Wales 11+23:47:18
(83,140,354)
7. Michael Purwins,42,GER 11+23:47:18
Szbolcs Cimmer,29,HUN 548 miles
(73,125,311)
Tibor Malits,28,HUN 527
(71,129,305)
Marc Witkes,33,CO 500
(72,121,308)
Vlado Luksu,22,SLO 483
(75,123,245)
Dejan Kakonji,32,YUG 470
(79,138,273)
14 starters
Women 700 miles (13 days cutoff)
1. Dipali Cunningham,42,AUS 9+11:20:29
(100,180,447)
2. Lenka Svecova,26,CzRep 11+06:26:32
(86,150,375)
3. Tina Bercic,27,SLE 11+06:26:32
(77,136,370)
4. Elvira Janosi,44,YUG 12+04:42:41
(80,135,355)
5. Sutushti Lang,48,CT 12+21:32:53
(64,122,325)
Kadri Porits,29,EST 605 miles
(80,134,334)
Kate Condon,45,UK 382
(75,131,350)
This past September, 35 runners from 16 countries participated in the Thirteenth Annual Sri Chinmoy Ultra Trio, the unique event with distances of 1300, 1000, and 700 miles. The runners in the longer races start first, and eventually all races end on the same day. The 1300 miler is one of the most difficult races in the world, due to the stiff mileage requirements of 72.2 per day for 18 days for men, and 68.4 per day for 19 days for women. Most runners strong enough and lucky enough to finish will have probably slept for only three or four hours each day in the quest for miles.This year six runners toed the line. There were also nine people in the 1000 miler and 21 in the 700 miler.
Martina Hausmann from Germany and Nidruvi Zimmermann from Austria were the only women entrants in the 1300 miler. They watched and learned from each other, staying close in miles and in tactics. The first day Hausmann ran 94 miles to Zimmermann's 92. Hausmann finished last year despite the setback of Hurricane Flloyd battering the East Coast and causing the race to stop for 38 hours. Zimmermann had stopped after five days with a serious leg injury in 1999, but was healthy now and ready to battle Martina.
The men's race had four eager volunteers, the fittest among them being Rimas Jakelaitis, a 45 year old from Lithuania, living in nearby Brooklyn. Rimas won the Six Day race in 1999, and in the Ten Day earlier this year he set a course record with 745 miles. Injury free and ready to roll, Rimas ran 116 miles the first day, establishing a 13 mile lead over Andreas Puntigam from Austria(103 miles). Thomas Reckziegel from Switzerland and Victor Kuzmin from Russia could only muster 95 and 84 miles respectively. Rimas looked smooth and efficient. He increased the lead to 20 miles after two days,totalling 197 miles, and was on his way to perhaps another excellent performance.
The 1000 mile women started two days later, led by Austrian Paula Mairer, who won in 1999 in 17 days 4 hours. Svetlana Khissamoutinova,,56,in only her second multiday but a former speed-skater and athletic trainer in Russia; German Else Bayer,61, a fair runner who finished the 700 last year, and Canadian Huguette Charce-Gaspard,47, from Quebec,Canada rounded the distaff field. Mairer wasted no time in establishing a lead with her 92 mile first day. Svetlana chased with 85 miles, Bayer with 80.
A day later the men began with five eager runners, four of them first-timers at the kilo. Hubert Muckenhumer of Austria led the group with 87 miles, followed closely by Martin Milovnik of Slovakia. No one in this men's field had ever run 700 miles, let alone 1000. But you never know. This was the fifteenth running of the 1000 miler by the SCMT since 1985. Some might recall the pioneers of multidays past-1985 in the first 1000 miler Don Choi winning in 15 days three hours; Trishul Cherns(in this year's 700 miler) staying close despite shinsplints; Emile Laharrague of France pounding his feet into pulp but reaching the goal; Bob Wise of Georgia walking 903 miles on buttermilk and double-strength coffee.These guys had never run the distance before back in 1985 when they started. I guess this is another good reason people try the long ones- you never know what you have in the tank unless you try! Your performance is not just about what you did the last two months- it is also about what you have done the last five or ten years.
Dipali Cunningham,42, of Australia led a field of seven ladies from the line in the 700 mile race two days later. She had been overall winner of the 700 the last two years and was again in fantastic shape. Her competition was talented but not necessarily experienced at running for 13 days at a time. Lenka Svecova,26, from Czech Republic and Tina Bercic ,27,from Slovenia gave chase along with veteran Elvira Janosi from Yugoslavia. Cunningham ran 100 miles the first day and never looked back.Svecova stayed back with 86 miles, Janosi totalled 80.
The men's 700 mile race began a full seven days after the 1300 start. Zimmermann and Hausmann were only one mile apart after seven days(506 to 505) as the men's field began. Trishul Cherns from Canada led early with 96 miles, followed closely by Ashprihanal Pekka Aalto from Finland( 94 miles) and Arpan DeAngelo (93 miles). Mr Aalto was on a roll, having finished second in the 10 day with 670 miles in May, and having won the 3100 mile race over the summer(47 days 13 hours). His legs still looked okay as he circumnavigated the mile loop couse near the Triborough Bridge outside the waterways across from the skyline of Manhattan. Mr DeAngelo stayed within ten miles of the leaders for three days until a painful Achilles problem slowed his progress.
The field of 36 runners gained strength from each other as well as the exploits of Rimas Jakelaitis, who was blistering the course with 502 miles for six days. Hausmann and Zimmermann stayed within three miles of each other after 10 days, even passing 700 miles under 240 hours, a remarkable start. Rimas was even better for that distance, taking only 8 days 10 hours to reach the 700 mile mark- a split bettered by only two or three in the world. In the 1000 miler, Paula Mairer had breezed through 6 days with 433 miles and was still ahead of the men. In the 700, Dipali Cunningham passed 6 days with 447 miles, and the Flying Finn Mr. Aalto reached 463 miles to make up the day stagger.
As the race unfolded it was obvious that Rimas Jakelaitis was having a special performance. At ten days he topped 823 miles and was still running 11-12 minute laps. His daily goals of two 12 hour shifts of 40 miles each was being met, and his sleep was adequate if not restful. Even the September weather was pleasant and not too wet. Rimas reached 1000 miles in 11 days 23 hours,a course record and another great split, and he was ecstatic to be 15 hours ahead of 1300 record pace as well. He passed 2000 km some 13 hours under the world record split set in 1993 by Istvan Sipos, and was in the driver's seat now. At the end of 15 days he had only 91 miles to go to break the record, set in 1995 by Latvian Georgs Jermolajevs (16 days, 14 hours). Pushing hard with little sleep the last day, Rimas Jakelaitis ran into the record books once again, finishing 1300 miles in 16 days+00:28:10, establishing a new world best and looking strong for most of the entire race.The hearty Lithuanian constuction worker had taken nearly 14 hours off the record. He averaged 81 miles a day.
The women were on pace to finish the 1300 as well.Nidruvi had a great 1000 mile split-14 days 7 hours(fifth fastest woman alltime), with Martina close behind(14 days,8 hours-sixth fastest). Nidruvi and Martina had shadowed each other for two weeks, with the younger Zimmermann finally making a little break on day 16 with a nine mile lead. But the plucky Hausmann would not give up. By the end of the 18th day, Martina had pulled even with Nidruvi once again.The last day was a test of nerves and an emtying of the reserves.In the middle of the night the tired Hausmann was forced to rest, the fatigue was too strong. Zimmermann made the last push and finished in 18 days, 20 hours- only the fifth woman to ever finish 1300 miles in a certified race. Martina came in at 18 days 23 hours,only a hour under the wire, but beating her time from last year by 37 hours. She said later that she had achieved her dream, and was ecstatic.
Paula Mairer finished the 1000 miler in 14 days 12 hours,(ninth best alltime). She would be the only finisher as Svetlana made it to 872 miles, and Else Bayer stopped at 800 miles.The men were led by Hubert Muckenhumer with 884 miles, and Martin Milovnik with 850.
In the 700, Ashprihanal Aalto prevailed in 9 days five hours, ahead of Dipali Cunningham(9 days 11 hours, and Arpan DeAngelo(9 days 23 hours). Mr Aalto became the first person to ever complete all three Sri Chinmoy multidays in the same calendar year. The go-as-you-please format was appealing to him, as he averaged 74.7 miles a day.
The total of 16 finishers was the highest ever in the history of the Trio, with the bulk of 12 coming in the 700 miler. The finishing list of 1300 miles grew by three, with a new man atop the list. The field was the largest in nine years-36 runners. These are all signs of good growth as well as young blood in the ranks of finishers. Those dozen or so runners back in 1985 who started were the table-setters for future triumphs in this new millenium.But I think all runners and ultrarunners alike can benefit from the trials and tribulations of pioneers past and present. The way the champions carried themselves both then and now,with grace and resilience, we all gain an understanding of our sport and the mystery of stepping outside for a long one- a run of 12 hours or 18 days or even two months.
The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team again is indebted to all the wonderful volunteers, professionals and friends that helped to make this race so special, and who have done so for so many years. Thanks also to the great inspirer Sri Chinmoy who had the vision to help boost the long, long distance runners over 15 years ago to fulfill their dreams and who still does so today. Good luck to ultrarunners everywhere.
Sahishnu Szczesiul
Sri Chinmoy Ultra Trio
Wards Island,NY September 4-23,2000
One -mile loop, paved, certified
(with 24-hour,48-hr, 6-day splits)
Men 1300 miles(18 days cutoff)
1. Rimas Jakelaitis,45,LIT 16 days+00:28:10 !(WB)
(116,197,502)
Andreas Puntigam,29,AUT 974 miles
(103,177,443)
Victor Kuzmin,60,RUS 857
(84,149,326)
Thomas Reckziegel,31,SUI 382
(95,144,378)
Women 1300 miles(19 days cutoff)
1. Nidruvi Zimmermann,35,AUT 18+20:25:44
(92,164,437)
2. Martina Hausmann,40, GER 18+23:05:30
(94,163,438)
Men 1000 miles(15 days cutoff)
Hubert Muchenhumer,33,AUT 884 miles
(87,152,393)
Martin Milovnik,28,SLO 850
(85,145,388)
Karlheinz Kobus,34,GER 750
(83,150,420)
Laszlo Simon,42,HUN 700
(78,156,356)
Chanakhya Jakovic,46,UK 623
Women 1000 miles(16 day cutoff)
1. Paula Mairer,41,AUT 14+12:33:34
(92,164,433)
Svetlana Khissamoutdinova,56,RUS 872 miles
(85,148,366)
Else Bayer,61,GER 800
(80,139,375)
Huguette Charce-Gaspard,47,CAN 601
(63,110,271)
Men 700 miles (12 days cutoff)
1. Ashprihanal Pekka Aalto,30,FIN 9 days+05:44:59
(94,170,463)
2. Arpan DeAngelo,48,US 9+23:51:20
(93,161,415)
3. Trishul Cherns,43,CAN 10+20:03:11
(96,166,434)
4. Virendra Gauthier,48,CAN 11+12:51:58
(80,120,368)
5. Harald Reisecker,31,AUT 11+23:23:12
(73,134,357)
6. Abichal Sherrington,39,Wales 11+23:47:18
(83,140,354)
7. Michael Purwins,42,GER 11+23:47:18
Szbolcs Cimmer,29,HUN 548 miles
(73,125,311)
Tibor Malits,28,HUN 527
(71,129,305)
Marc Witkes,33,CO 500
(72,121,308)
Vlado Luksu,22,SLO 483
(75,123,245)
Dejan Kakonji,32,YUG 470
(79,138,273)
14 starters
Women 700 miles (13 days cutoff)
1. Dipali Cunningham,42,AUS 9+11:20:29
(100,180,447)
2. Lenka Svecova,26,CzRep 11+06:26:32
(86,150,375)
3. Tina Bercic,27,SLE 11+06:26:32
(77,136,370)
4. Elvira Janosi,44,YUG 12+04:42:41
(80,135,355)
5. Sutushti Lang,48,CT 12+21:32:53
(64,122,325)
Kadri Porits,29,EST 605 miles
(80,134,334)
Kate Condon,45,UK 382
(75,131,350)
