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Race Across America

The ultimate test in ultra-marathon cycling, the Race Across America, takes off for another grueling journey across the United States next week.

Individual races take off Sunday morning from Oceanside, Calif., while the teams take off Tuesday, June 13, from the same location.

The defending champ, Jure Robic of Slovenia, will be back for another run, this time in the new Enduro division. RAAM has created the Enduro division this year in an effort to de-emphasize sleep deprivation and stress cycling ability. Enduro division riders will be required to rest for 40 hours over the course of the race at official control points. Those 40 hours will be deducted from their finishing time. RAAM also maintains its Traditional division, in which racers do not receive credit for hours spent resting.

For those of you in the St. Louis area, the course once again goes through the region. According to RAAM's time estimates, cyclists are expected to begin entering the region June 17 in Marthasville, Mo. They go through Wentzville and O'Fallon, Mo., and cross the Mississippi River at Alton, Ill. They'll then continue east to Greenville, Ill., on their way to Atlantic City, N.J.

This year's team competition includes Team Type 1, which consists of cyclists with Type 1 Diabetes. The cyclists are raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. On June 17, the team will make a stop at the 3-on-3 Soccer Challenge at the Metro United Sports Complex in Collinsville, Ill. The team will be at the event from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and people can enter a contest for a $3,600 Litespeed racing bicycle and other prizes.

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