Mega-Marathon World record

For nearly two months this summer at Thomas Edison High School every day, rain or shine, mild heat or a real scorcher, 16 men and women ran from 6 a.m. to midnight.
The tenth annual Self-Transcendence 3,100 mile mega-marathon took place at the Jamaica school from June 11th through August 2. For one man the race ended 10 days early, guaranteeing his place in the record books.
Wolfgang Schwerk, a retired soldier from Solingen, Germany, was the star of the marathon. The 50-year-old who began running after his military career ended, averaged about 75 miles a day en route to his world record time of 41 days, eight hours, 16 minutes and 29 seconds, eclipsing his own record he set four years ago by nearly 30 hours.
Schwerk is also a professionally-trained opera singer and sings while running. Pursuing singing as a career was an option after he left the military, until he realized his talent for running. &#8220[Singing opera] keeps me focused,” said Schwerk, through a translator. &#8220[But], running is my life.”
Therefore, instead of becoming an opera singer, Schwerk married one. His wife, Cornelia Berger-Schwerk, is world-renowned, and she was present with their 21-year-old daughter, Laura, when he crossed the finish line.
Although, Schwerk battled with bouts of food poisoning and muscle tightness, he didn't let that prevent him from reaching his ultimate goal during the nearly six-week marathon.
Schwerk's perseverance amazed everyone from the race's volunteers to its director. &#8220I'm deeply moved with what he's doing,” said one volunteer, Niriha Datta. &#8220It shows the power of his meditation.”
&#8220He's amazing,” added race director Rupan Tar. &#8220Absolutely unique.”
At 3,100 miles, the appropriately-named mega-marathon - the equivalent of 118 regular marathons (26 miles, 385 yards) - is a feat that only the most dedicated and adequately trained athletes can hope to accomplish.
Schwerk spoke of his preparation which he started in Germany last December, the 200 miles a week he'd run to work in the mornings, the exercises he did to keep his body in shape, and the garden work he'd do to raise money, all factored into the race.
Still, Schwerk admits that without the help and guidance of two people, his victory would not have been possible. One of them is the man whom he calls his guru, Sri Chinmoy. Schwerk was regularly seen bowing to the noted author, musician, athlete, and master meditation before every lap.
The other is friend and trainer Helmut Schieke who provides Schwerk with a diet without wheat that includes rice milk, honeydew, and apple juice. The 67-year-old Schieke has run his own share of races, from Los Angeles to New York and from Lisbon to Moscow. However, for now, Schieke is satisfied with having helped Schwerk accomplish something that many would think is impossible for a man, especially one who is over 50.
&#8220If you have a strong will you can motivate yourself every morning [after only four-and-a-half-hours of sleep] to run,” explained Schwerk.