Sichel unlikely to hit 3,100-mile target

A miracle is required if William Sichel is to complete the Sri Chinmoy 3,100-mile race inside the 52-day time limit.

The race is set to end on Tuesday, August 7, and with Sichel past the 2,500-mile mark, he says he is unlikely to reach the 3,100-mile milestone.

During the gruelling test of endurance, which started on June 17, he believed he had set 70 age-group records, as well as single age records, but the searing heat in New York has left the 64-year-old with just too much to do in his bid to complete the race for a second time.

As of today (Wednesday), he has recorded 2,553 miles in 45 days.

Speaking on Tuesday, the Sanday-based runner said: “If I can keep going as I am, I should break 2,900 miles by this time next week, but I won’t finish 3,100 unless there is a miracle.

“Too much hot weather in that first month did for me. The weather at the moment is reasonable; it’s runnable and yesterday (Monday) I did the biggest distance for 22 days so it just shows the effects of temperature.”

Home sickness was becoming an issue for the runner, who admitted he was “ready for home” after an exhausting race, but aside from that, he was in good health.

And as he now sets his sights on a strong finish, he thanked the entire Orkney public for their support.