The RACE ACROSS AMERICA IS COMING TO ANNAPOLIS!

Just got an email alert that RAAM is visiting our Fair City once again. Out of expediency, I just cut and pasted the entire thing.

And an interesting update I heard from our Twitter feed: about half the mens field dropped out yesterday due to heat exhaustion. The Ladies are still truckin though!

What is RAAM?

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RAAM is the Race Across America. The toughest bicycle race in the world...a single stage 3,000 mile race.


Who Races in RAAM?

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Over 200 men and women from a dozen different countries are racing coast-to-coast in, solo, two-person, four-person, or eight-person teams.
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The racers come from all walks of life. Some are Olympians and professional athletes, but by far most are just like you.
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Competitors range in age from 18 to over 70; most are in their 40's.


Where does the race go?

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The race starts in Oceanside, California and keeps ticking all the way to the finish line in Annapolis, Maryland. The route travels through 15 states and climb over 1000,000 feet during the race.


How long does the race take?

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Solo racers finish in 9 to 12 days, averaging 250 to 350 miles per day.
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Teams (2-person, 4-person, 8 person) cross the country in 6 to 9 days, averaging 350 to over 500 miles per day,
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The Race Across America is almost 50% longer than the Tour de France.


WHY do the race?

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Every competitor has his or own story to tell for why they will compete in RAAM. Now in its 28th year, these racers will now be part of the longest running annual endurance events in the world. It's an experience so monumental that it is truly an accomplishment of a lifetime.
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Many racers raise money and awareness for charities as they compete in the race, raising more than $3 million in charitable donations in the past two races. This year, more than 30 organizations will benefit from these efforts.


How does the Race work?

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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.
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The major difference between RAAM and other bicycle races like Le Tour de France is that RAAM is a continuous, one-stage event, meaning that the clock starts on the west coast and doesn�t stop until the racers reach the east coast. Simply put: RAAM is the toughest bicycle race on earth�and it�s 30% longer than the Tour de France.
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Cyclists race day and night, on their own or riding as part of a relay team, and supported by a crew of 8 to15 people following in support cars and RV's with food and supplies for the race.
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Crewing for RAAM Racers is as much of a challenge as riding is. It offers some immense rewards of seeing the country, building some lifelong friendships and the pride of getting your racer safely across the country. The crew takes care for the racers by providing food, clothing, medical care, bicycle repair, massage, entertainment� and directions!



How do you keep track of where the racers are across the 3,000 miles?

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Racers have to check in along the route at 53 Time Stations, about 40 to 80 miles apart throughout the race. At each Time Station, the racer must call into race headquarters and report their location and time. This information is posted to the RAAM Race Coverage website (www.raceacrossamerica.org) so fans and officials can track the race.
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Time Stations are great places to watch racers come through and cheer them on. Time Station locations vary from someone's home, to bike shops, to city parks, to the Capital Building in Jefferson City, MO. About half of the Time Stations are staffed.
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We love our Time Station staff! They are invaluable in building awareness of the race in the local communities along the course. As racers pass through, the Time Station staff is the cheering section and most importantly there to help racers and crews find services in town.


Who Runs the Race Across America?

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The RAAM Management Team - Fred Boethling, Jake Zmrhal, Perry Stone and Rick Boethling are all race veterans. The RAAM staff is supported by hundreds of committed volunteers across the nation, including race officials, time station staff, and media support.


Are there other races going on during RAAM?

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In addition to the coast-to-coast race, twenty racers will participate in the Race Across the West, which runs concurrently with the Race Across America and covers the first 1,000 miles of the RAAM course, finishing in Taos, New Mexico.


Please visit the RAAM website for the most comprehensive information about the route, racer profiles, updates, blogs, videos, and other facts about the race.

www.raceacrossamerica.org

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Race Across America 2009


Annapolis Finish Timeline

Thursday June 25th : RAAM staff arrives and does setup

Friday June 26th : first racers to arrive early @ Susan Campbell Park

Saturday June 27th : racers continue arriving @ Susan Campbell Park

Sunday June 28th : racers continue arriving @ Susan Campbell Park

Monday June 29th : last racers arrive by 5pm. Cleanup in the evening.

Tuesday June 30th : RAAM departs in the morning

A big change for 2009 will be the addition of larger finisher ceremonies. We will stage two of these on Saturday and Sunday and then one Monday. They will be 45-60 minutes each. They will be staged at Susan Campbell Park each day at noon and 6:00pm. We will invite finishers to come back to be recognized as a group.

Local cyclists are welcome to help escort the riders in by bike. Please contact the race officials using the contact info below.

We look forward to seeing you join us for this exciting event.

Contact Info

Steve Carr -- Annapolis Liaison

(410) 757-5916

steve.carr567@gmail.com

or

Jake Zmrhal
Race Director
Race Across America
The World's Toughest Bicycle Race
director@raceacrossamerica.org
303-956-RAAM
www.raceacrossamerica.org