Christchurch Runners Compete in US Multi Day

Three Christchurch runners are returning after competing in the annual Self-Transcendence Six Day Race in New York. Held concurrently with the annual Self-Transcendence 10 Day Race, the two races are staged on a flat one mile certified loop course at Flushing Meadow Park (home of the US Open). From a field of sixty eight ultra runners, from fourteen countries from around the globe, eight were from New Zealand.

Throughout the event the runners come to test their endurance, skills with pacing and ability to recover from the stress of constantly moving. The competitors run with minimal sleep, all the while trying to accumulate as many miles as possible. In the 15 year history of the 6 and 10 Day Events numerous ultra running world records have been set and still stand today.

Of the local runners Prasasta Armstrong (28), competing in her first ultra marathon placed a very respectable fourth in the 6 Day with 263 miles (420kms), a daily average of 70kms, Tanya Ryan (43) also in her first multi-day race completed 255 miles (408kms) and veteran ultra runner Abhaya Field (65) 245 miles (392kms). The Races are staged by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, an international running organisation staging over 500 sporting events around the globe each year. Volunteers set up camp during the Races counting laps around the clock, providing medical assistance and cooking tirelessly in a purpose built kitchen stationed trackside, to do everything possible to nourish and support the runners in their remarkable journey.

In addition to the 6 and 10 Day Races the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team globally also hosts the world’s longest certified footrace, the annual Self-Transcendence 3100 mile race (also in New York), marathons, triathlons, ultra-triathlons, swimming events and shorter distance running events. In Christchurch the local Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team hosts a series of events from Children’s 2.5km races, 5 and 10km races, marathons and a 100km Race throughout the year for local runners. The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team was founded by Sri Chinmoy in 1977.

For more information about the Race or to interview the Christchurch runners phone: Anubha Baird 021 0221 9375 or 374 9091

Six Day Race homepage: http://us.srichinmoyraces.org/events/6-day-race-2010

Ten Day Race homepage: http://us.srichinmoyraces.org/events/10-day-race-2010