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The Race Across America is an event so staggering that merely to finish is, for most, the accomplishment of a lifetime. RAAM inspires everyone that it touches. A monumental race contested with the utmost of sportsmanship and zeal. Truly, RAAM is larger than life. A breeding ground for champions, a testing ground for elite riders and a shining example of the strength of human spirit.
Start: The Oceanside Pier, Oceanside, CA. June 8: Solo Women & Solo Men (60+). June 9: Solo Men. June 12: Teams.
Finish: Annapolis, MD - The City Dock. June 18th - June 21st.
Route: More than 3,000 miles across the United States.
Divisions: Solo and Two-Person, Four-Person, and Eight-Person Teams. Teams are raced in a relay format.
This ain’t no Tour, it’s a Race of Truth
This is a Race. Unlike other famous races, like the Tour de France, RAAM is not a stage race. The race is one stage, live to the very end. In RAAM, once the ‘gun’ fires on the west coast, the time doesn’t stop until each racer reaches the finish line on the east coast. RAAM is 30% longer than the Tour de France and racers finish in half the time with no rest days. The race format is essentially a time trial, commonly called “racing against the clock” or “the race of truth.” Unlike the Tour de France, there is no drafting or taking shelter from the wind. It’s a solo effort.
More racers compete in the Tour de France is a single year than have ever finished RAAM solo. Still RAAM is a like an everyman's Tour de France; you can enter by meeting a qualifying standard.
Solo or Team
The heart of the race is the Solo division. That is where the ultimate challenge lays. The race has team categories of two person, four person, and eight person teams. With an eight person team, each person averages three hours a day on the bike – think you can manage that?
It takes that long to drive
The route is over 3000 miles, crossing 15 states and climbing over 108,000 feet. Teams typically cross the country in 6 to 9 days, averaging 350 to over 500 miles per day. Solo racers finish in 9 to 12 days, averaging 250 to 350 miles per day. Teams have a relay format and race 24 hours a day. Solo racers have the challenge of balancing a few hours of sleep each night against race deadlines.
Olympians, Grandfathers, and You
The men and women who compete, as soloists or as team participants, are dedicated and driven athletes. The racers are comprised from an international field of professionals from all walks of life. Among them are Olympians, professional athletes, but, by far, most are just like you. They range in age from 18 to over 70 and each has a story to tell of their life and how they came to the race. That story is enriched during the week-long adventure across the country as each rises and discovers their inner ability.
But Why?
“Because it’s there” was George Mallory’s answer, as to why climb Mt. Everest.
RAAM has a similar draw. At the very least, it’s the honor of adding their name to the prestigious roll call of RAAM finishers.
RAAM is more than a bike race. It is about ordinary people being great. It’s about realizing dreams, a journey of the heart and soul. It’s about being the toughest of the tough. It’s about camaraderie, teamwork, and the incredible RAAM family. It’s about taking the national stage for a cause that matters, to raise awareness and funds. It’s about the vastness, richness, beauty, and generosity of the United States of America and the people who live here. It’s a lifetime experience never to be repeated.
The Race Across America endures due to its amazing effect on the human consciousness and for its incredible feats of willpower, inspiration, and heart.
Who’s Running the Show?
Since 1986, the race has been directed by race veterans. That tradition continues today. President Fred Boethling, Race Director Terry Zmrhal, and VP of Sales and Marketing Jeff Stephens have all raced and VP of Finance Rick Boethling has crewed. We understand the race and bring our strong, diverse backgrounds together to form a solid, experienced team.
