The Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race

If you're looking for a race that seems to go on forever, the Self-Transcendence 3,100 mile race might be for you. It is the world's longest certified footrace. Regardless, you never have to leave the same neighborhood to get the job done. The entire race is held on a single city block in Queens, New York. You only need to complete 5,649 laps. The race must be completed within 52 days. To complete it in that time, runners must traverse 60 miles per day. In 2006, a German runner set the record for fastest time, finishing in 41 days and 8 hours. That equates to an impressive 75 miles per day.

Summer in New York is rarely pleasant, so runners must contend with pollution, furious pedestrians, and other challenges. On the journey, the average runner will go through 12 pairs of shoes. The course begins at 6 a.m. every day and runs until midnight, with breaks whenever participants want them. Runners get to sleep for the remaining six hours. Sri Chinmoy, a spiritual guru who believed physical activity could help achieve transcendence and allegedly lifted 800 pounds with one hand when he was 54 years old, founded the race.

Founder: Sri Chinmoy

Established: 1996

Location: Queens, New York