TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese runner Lo Wei-Ming (羅維銘) set a new world record in the world's longest footrace on Monday (Oct. 14).
The 60-year-old ultra-marathoner participated in the 28th Annual Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile (4,988 km) Race in New York. He crossed the finish line in 45 days, 12 hours, 37 minutes, and 55 seconds, raising the Taiwan flag and securing third place, while also breaking the world record for the 60+ age group, per the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team.
The Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race is the longest footrace event in the world. Last year, Lo finished the race in 45 days, 8 hours, 41 minutes, and 27 seconds, setting a new Asian record, having held the previous record.
Lo remained determined to compete this year, completing the race in his signature flip-flops. He finished in 45 days, 12 hours, 37 minutes, and 55 seconds, on Monday evening local time.
Throughout the race, Lo documented his journey on Facebook, writing recently, "What can you still do at 60? I’m breaking world records," showing the world that age is not a barrier.
Lo was cited by CNA as saying he had long admired Scottish runner William Sichel, who previously set a world record and continued to run well into his 60s. This year, Lo broke Sichel’s 2014 record of 50 days, 15 hours, 6 minutes, and 4 seconds for the 60+ age group, becoming the new world record holder.
The race is held in Jamaica, Queens, New York. Competitors must finish the race within 52 days, running from 6 a.m. to midnight daily, for up to 18 hours each day.
Italian runner Andrea Marcato took the championship again this year, finishing in 43 days, 3 hours, 4 minutes, and 6 seconds. Finnish runner Ashprihanal Aalto came in second with a time of 44 days, 9 hours, 22 minutes, and 13 seconds.
