UNITED STATES: HUNGARIAN ISTVAN SIPOS RUNS 3,100 MILES TO WIN POSSIBLY WORLD'S LONGEST RACE IN NEW YORK

Record ID: 337851

  • Title: UNITED STATES: HUNGARIAN ISTVAN SIPOS RUNS 3,100 MILES TO WIN POSSIBLY WORLD'S LONGEST RACE IN NEW YORK
  • Date: 31st July 1998
  • Summary: NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (JULY 31, 1998) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) 1. RACE BANNER MENTIONS 'SRI CHINMOY', GURU WHOSE FOLLOWERS ORGANISED RACE 2. SUPRABHA BECKJORD (AMERICAN) RUNNING, FOLLOWED BY MANFRED LEISMANN (GERMAN) 3. VOLUNTEER LOGGING RUNNING TIMES 4. CLOSE-UP LOG 5. RACE DIRECTOR RUPANTAR LARUSSO SAYING: "IF YOU LOOK AT THIS RACE THE CAPACITY CAN ONLY COME FROM WITHIN BECAUSE THE DISTANCES ARE MIND BOGGLING AND TO THINK THE PHYSICAL ALONE CAN DO IT IS TO BELITTLE THAN THE HUMAN SPIRIT SO THE RUNNERS WILL TELL YOU THEMSELVES IT'S A REAL BATTLE OF INNER STRENGTH" (ENGLISH) 6. BECKJORD RUNNING (FOCUS ON HER LEGS) 7. MANFRED LEISMAN RUNNING 8. LEISMAN SAYING: "FOR ONE TIME ITS NICE TO BE IN THE LONGEST RACE IN THE WORLD" (GERMAN) 9. BECKJORD RUNNING 10. BECKJORD ENTERING VAN, FOCUS ON HER FEET 11. BECKJORD SAYING: "IT'S LIKE A BIG MOUNTAIN YOU HAVE TO SOMEHOW COPE WITH THOSE OBSTACLES TO GET TO THE TOP, BUT IT DOES FEEL...YOU GET A KIND OF SATISFACTION THAT MONEY CAN'T BUY YOU KNOW WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS IT'S THE WAY I FEEL" (ENGLISH) 12. NURSE GIVING BECKJORD A MASSAGE 13. ANOTHER VOLUNTEER 14. BECKJORD RUNNING FOLLOWED BY LEISMAN 15. RACE STANDINGS 16. ISTVAN SIPOS, WINNER OF RACE, SAYING: "I AM VERY HAPPY. I FEEL VERY LIGHT, LIKE A FEATHER. I WAS EXPECTING TO WIN, BUT I HAD TO WORK VERY HARD BECAUSE IT'S VERY DIFFICULT. I GOT ALSO SUPPORT FROM MY FAMILY - THAT HELPED ME OVERCOME MANY DIFFICULT STAGES" (HUNGARIAN) 17. BECKJORD RUNNING Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 15th August 1998 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA4AWFR7SQYWZQYLTX9O6YIOWTB
  • Story Text: Five runners have spent more than seven weeks traversing New York City in what was believed to be the world's longest race, albeit with overnight stops -- 3,100 miles (4,960 kms).

    The four men and one woman were not racing for prize money or a trophy, although they do hope to get a slot in the Guinness Book of Records.They were running for the well-being of their souls.

    The race, won on Wednesday (July 29) by Hungarian Istvan Sipos, 38, was the second of its kind organised by followers of Sri Chinmoy, an author, musician, athlete and reputed master of meditation.

    The 3,100 mile distance was selected because Chinmoy was born in India in 1931.The previous race was over 2,700 miles because Chinmoy's birth date is August 27.

    Runners averaged about 60 miles a day on a course of around half-a-mile at the Thomas Edison Technical School.

    Race director Rupantar Larusso said the ability to finish the course came from within because the distance is "mind boggling" and physical ability alone is not enough; it's a real battle of inner strength.

    German runner Manfred Leisman said it was worth the pain -- although he doesn't plan to do it again.

    The runners suffered vomiting, diarrhea and heat exhaustion as well as blisters, shin splints and sprained ankles.They ran for between 15 and 18 hours a day.

    Suprabha Beckjord stopped for breaks and massages several times a day.

    Winner Sipos said the support from his family helped him overcome many difficult stages.But he added that, like his colleagues, he overcame physical hardships with patience and tranquillity of mind.


  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register