Posted: December 28, 2005

Athletics: Running Legend Kouros Sets New Ultra-Distance Records

From: www.ByJamesRaia.com

Yiannis Kouros just keeps getting faster.

The Greek runner who infrequently competes in the United States, added to his long list of marks in late November when he ran 1,036.85 kilometers (644.19 miles) during the Cliff Young Australian Six-Day Race in Colac, Victoria.

Kouros' effort set the six-day track and six-day indoor world records.

Kouros, 49, set the previous world six-day track record of 1023.2 kilometers (635.71 miles) in 1984 at Colac and said he never expected to eclipse his own mark 21 years later.

Running on about three hours' sleep for the six days, Kouros was never challenged.

Event organizers hailed the 20th edition as the race's best edition, with several other competitors setting age-group world marks.

Kouros excels at many running distances. His marathon best is 2:25; In 1988 he completed the Western States 100 in 20 hours and 12 minutes. He recently won his age-group in an Australian half-marathon in 1:19.

But Kouros' forte is a simple equation -- the longer the race, the better.

Kouros prepared for the Cliff Young Six-Day event, by running the double Sparthathlon and the Athens marathon in record time for his age group. His goal in Colac was a new record, but Kouros wasn't sure it was attainable two decades after first setting the mark.

Kouros, who has held more than 100 world ultra-distance records, had no injuries during his record run -- with the exception of straining hamstring muscles while stretching.

Kouros' win gave him not only the $5,000 first prize but also a $5,000 bonus for passing 900 kilometers and another $2000 for breaking the world record.

Czech Vlastimil Dvoracek (822.8 km, 511.20), more than 125 miles behind Kouros. Katsuhiro Tanaka of Japan was third with 814.4 km (505.9 miles)

Frenchman Claude Hardel, considered one of Kouros' main challengers, withdrew during the race with foot trouble.

Thirty-four runners began the race, and more than a half-dozen withdrew.

© Copyright 2005, James Raia

Posted with the permission of James Raia.

James Raia is a journalist, author and publisher in Sacramento, California. Sign-up for his free electronic newsletters Endurance Sports News and Tour de France Times on his web site: www.ByJamesRaia.com.