The world's longest race - 3,100 miles in 52 days

Imagine running over 3,000 miles and more than 118 marathons, and still not being near the finish line. This is the extraordinary challenge faced by participants of the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race, the longest certified footrace in the world. Held every summer in Queens, New York City, this race pushes the limits of human endurance both physically and mentally. It was first run over the full distance in 1997.

The Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race spans several weeks and takes runners around a single extended block in Jamaica, Queens. Each lap measures just over half a mile (0.5488 miles), meaning runners circle the same streets 5,649 times to reach the total distance of 3,100 miles.

Runners have 52 days to complete the distance. Competitors run daily from 6am to midnight and must log an average of 59.6 miles each day.

After completing the race, runners can go even further and have the option of continuing on to complete 5000km (about 3,106 miles).

The current men's record is held by Finland's Ashprihanal Aalto, who completed the race in 40 days, 9 hours, and 6 minutes in 2015.

The women's record is held by Taiwan's Tsai Wen-ya, who finished in 45 days, 12 hours, and 28 minutes in 2023. Some runners, like Suprabha Beckjord from the US, have completed the race multiple times.

The race was created by Sri Chinmoy, a spiritual teacher and athlete, as part of his vision to help people explore the boundaries of their potential.

The name Self-Transcendence reflects this philosophy. Participants are encouraged not only to challenge their physical capabilities but also to achieve personal and spiritual breakthroughs.

Sri Chinmoy began organising ultramarathons in 1985, gradually increasing distances over the years. By 1997, the Self-Transcendence race had reached 3,100 miles, a number thought to refer to his birth year, 1931.

Today, the race continues each year, attracting runners from several countries, including Finland, Slovakia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Ireland, and New Zealand.