Rainer Koch of Germany dominated, and was overall winner, leading Takasumi Senoo (Japan) and René Strosny (Germany) who amazingly finished less than 6 minutes apart.
After Hiroko Okiyama's unfortunate abandon, the women's race was won by another Japanese, Takako Funyama (20th overall). Second place Elke Streicher of Germany was nearly 7 hours behind.
I spent 602 hours crossing Europe, and finished 30th (out of 68 starters), which pleases me given my advanced years and the quality of many of the other runners. Cautious pacing helped me avoid injury.
One competition that I DID win was body fat loss as measured by the MRI docs. I am now officially devoid of all body fat. I solemnly promise that I will never do anything this crazy ever again.
46 comments:
Bloody amazing, Russ. I am so proud of you and can't wait to see you to celebrate.
One, and one more thing, I know MANY people who are going to hold you to the promise you made in this post!
If you want a body fat transplant, I'll happily donate.
Luckily for you I have been saving all my body fat for these past few months just in case you needed it.
Like Val said...I'll happily donate!
Love you skinny or not!
Thank you for sharing your European adventure! Pictures brought back nice memories of my time in Europe. I'm glad you finished without any injuries. 64 days can be very grueling.
Congratulations! It has been amazing to follow you on this remarkable journey.
Welcome home!
Thanks for the kind words Russ...
After getting the privilege to be part of your amazing journey for a mere two hours I had no doubts you would finish. I'm sure you had doubts from time to time, but I walked away that day having gotten the est lesson of positive thinking and patience I will ever get.
Thank you for allowing me to be part of it. It was truly an honor and I can't tell you how amazed I am at your accomplishment.
What you just accomplished MUST be one of the single toughest thing a human can put himself through. I can honestly not think of anything remotely tougher.
You and your fellow runners are unbelievable. My hat's off and huge congrats. WOW WOW WOW!!!
: ) x 100!!
Hi Russell,
Congratulations!! I am very proud having had the chance to accompany you for about 10 kms of your very long adventure-trip - you know on Ascencion Day when the crazy Germans celebrated their "Father's day" - from Bad Segeberg to Kiel. I followed like so many others your and your fellows reports every day and am wondering what I am going to read from tomorrow...!
So once more: congratulations, save return to civilization and enjoy your recovery!!!
Best wishes
Claudia from the 100MC-Germany
Congratulations, Russell! You're amazing!
Russell I can't tell you how amazed I am by this! It truly boggles the mind. Gareth sends her congrats as well. Hope to hear some of the stories when you're back.
You are incredible!!!! congratulations over and over again... utterly amazing, Russ!!
This is truly an amazing accomplishment! A little crazy but amazing all the same :) Labor should be a breeze compared to what you've just done right? Thanks for sharing your journey with all of us, it's been fun to follow along. Now what am I going to do to pass the last 2 weeks of my pregnancy? This has been one of my daily rituals!
Congratulations....Amazing accomplishment and inspiration...
Again congratulations Russ. For some strange reason I slept all night and then after letting the dog out another 4 hours...must have been sympathy fatigue!! As far as the fat transplant idea...I got some too.
CONGRATULATIONS!! We are so incredibly proud! It has been amazing following your journey day by day. We can't wait to see you on Wednesday - a cold beer and lots of good food will be waiting for you!
Love Tracey, Oli, Isabella and Ben xx
HUGE Congratulations! We're so happy for you over here. :)
"I solemnly promise that I will never do anything this crazy ever again." --- didn't you say this after your run across France?
Well done, Russell. Now that you're fat-free, perhaps your next pursuit should be professional modeling. Enjoy the time off your feet.
Bravo Russell !
Un peu froid aujourd'hui avec un peu de neige ? You look like an alpinist on the top of Mount Everest.
+ Transe Gaule : OK
+ Deutschlandlauf : OK
+ Trans Europe : OK
The hat-trick is OK, I wish you good and long holidays and a nice journey back towards sun, summer and Earth.
A bientôt.
JB
Congrats Russ!! Truly amazing.
So proud of you. Enjoy some well deserved R&R.
Chuck
Congratulations Russ. We're going to miss reading your blog every day, but we also look forward to seeing you back in Austin. Tex Mex next weekend? Have a good trip home.
Joe & June
Way to go, Russ!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this journey with us. You are truly amazing!
I want to be next in line after Val & Claire to donate body fat!
I had the same thought as Ant when I read your latest blog entry. I recall hearing something similar after France ...
Enjoy all of your favorite foods - you've earned it!
~ Helen
Come back to Austin and we'll get the stuffing back in ya.
Wow! I have been following your journey with my mouth hanging open. You are an inspiration and maybe a little crazy!? :-) But I say that with admiration. I realize how much you have to prepare for this physically...but mentally - wow! You have such a positive outlook and even the few times when there was some frustration - you found the bright side & pushed on ahead!
Wow - Have I said wow yet? You ran across Europe! You rock! Congrats!
Teri Hackathorn
Russell....I have plenty of body fat to share when you return. Congratulations on a fantastic and amazing accomplishment...I am speechless......
You’re a wonderful inspiration
Great work, Russ! When you get back to Austin, James and I would love to feed you and help you regain some body fat. Take care and have a safe journey home.
Congratulations Russ! I'm just a friend of a friend, but I have been sharing your feat with anyone who would listen. I can't even imagine the dedication (and insanity) that is needed to wake up and run that distance day in and day out . . . amazing! Hurry back to Texas and get some real food.
Congrats Russ - I continue to be amazed!
Well done Russ, which is not really enough to say considering what you have just done ! It has been so interesting following your progress, I have actually learnt quite a lot about the geography of Europe through your blog.
I have spread the link to your blog far and wide and we are all looking forward to the book !
Come and see us in our new office in Marlow if you are back in the area.
Best regards and a huge, huge well done on a quite amazing achievement which only a few crazy souls in this world can lay claim to (probably fewer than have stood on Mount Everest).
Don't know what else to say besides....WOW! You are an inspiration to many!
Awesome, Russell. Congratulations on completing such an amazing accomplishment.
I enjoyed reading your entries throughout your journey. I am very much inspired to get on my treadmill and walk... not run (well maybe a little), nonetheless I thought of you and mustered the encouragement...just to get up and do it. I feel you completed a wonderful accomplishment, and most wonderful of all was putting yourself out there to do it... you must feel awesome, and that's because you are! For someone who never thought walking/running would be in the books for her... now I think why not? Thanks, Ollie. D.
BRAVO!
You certainly have one great story to treasure in your memory bank forever!
Mr. Secker, you are an amazing individual!
Congratulations on making it to the far north. Thank you for maintaining this blog, the only one in English. you kept us abreast of life on the road and the struggle necessary to make your dream come true. Well done.
Big congratulations to you, Russell,
You did a great job of running a clever race to survive this distance.
Great accomplishment!
Many thanks for sharing your thoughts during the race, I know how hard that is after a long running day.
Happy recovery
Markus, Eagle,CO
That'll do, Russ. That'll do.
Cheers,
Stuart
Russell - you ARE iron man! Seriously, bravo! What an amazing accomplishment and an amazing person. All of Hoover's is so proud of you.
Amazing! You are simply amazing. What a tremendous feat and what tremendous feet! Enjoy your much deserved rest. I bet you'll be sleeping very well for the next month!
You were a slim guy before...losing all that body fat is crazy to think about!
Russ, congratulations. We have some 100 degree warmth waiting for you back in Austin.
-Paul Carmona
CONGRATULATIONS Russell!
Your accomplishment is truly amazing. I hope you enjoy every second of this victory and carry it with you always.
Now, go get some high-fat Texas Barbeque and put those feet up!
Margaret
EXCELLENT! Next Asia.
Beth
I have no words worthy of the congratulations deserved for completing this journey.
Amazing Russ! and fat free...? Almost enough to tempt me to run across Europe!
Congrats Russ. An amazing accomplishment. Just think of all the fun you'll have replacing that body fast -- while the rest of us doing some boring diet. Best wishes for a safe and fulfilling recovery from an amazing journey.
Barbara
Wow, YOU DID IT!!! I am in awe of your unbelievable feat/feet! Congratulations. How do you feel now? I can't imagine what must be going thru your mind after such a staggering accomplishment.
Can't wait to read your book! Let us know when you're back in Austin.
A wonderful blog, Russell, especially with all the photos of places I've never been to. I find it amazing that your body was able to heal itself while still running.
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