35th Annual Race Across America Crowns New Solo Champions

Boulder, CO – Race Across America (RAAM) – the World’s Toughest Bicycle Race, concludes its 35^th year with two rookie winners.  Forty-two solo racers from seventeen countries lined up in Oceanside, CA and 48% of those racers completed the 3,089-mile race ending in Annapolis, MD.

Pierre Bischoff, a rookie from Germany, became the first German to win RAAM, finishing in 9 days 17 hours 9 minutes (13.16 mph). He held off late charges by American David Haase and Slovenian Marko Baloh, both RAAM veterans. First-time RAAM racers Ralph Diseviscourt (Luxembourg) and Robert Ferris (USA) rounded out the top five.

The 50-59 age group was won by Martin Gruebele (USA), a rookie, followed by RAAM vets Chris O’Keefe (USA) and Palle Nielsen (DEN). Valerio Zamboni (MON) completed his 5^th RAAM, winning his first age group title (60-69), edging out American Marshall Reeves in a hard fought battle across the country.

Nicole Reist of Switzerland claimed the top step of the podium for the women in 11 days 14 hours 25 minutes (11.02 mph), making her the 3^rd Swiss woman in 5 years to win RAAM.  All three were first-time RAAM racers. Seana Hogan, arguably the greatest RAAM racer in history, placed 2^nd overall among women and won her age group (50-59) with a record setting performance.  This marks Hogan’s 7^th RAAM finish, with 6 overall wins and this year’s age group win.  She has now won more RAAMs than any other racer – man or woman – and holds both the women’s overall speed record as well as the 50-59 age group record.

For 35 years RAAM has been ultra-bicycle racing’s premier event.  RAAM draws competitors from around the globe to test their physical and mental limits in the 3,000-mile coast-to-coast race across the USA. Preparations for 2017 are already well underway.  RAAM takes place every June between the Giro d’ Italia and the Tour de France.

For 2016 RAAM partnered with NothinButShorts, an international documentary company, to film the solo race, commemorating the 35^th anniversary.  The film is currently in the editing process. To help support the finish and promotion of the film, please visit the Indiegogo fundraising page.
RAAM Documentary Link

More About RAAM
Race Across America, Inc. and Team Get Outdoors, LLC (dba SOUL EVENTS) are world leaders in the sport of ultra-bicycle racing.  The Race Across America (RAAM) is celebrating 35 years of being the world’s premier ultra-cycling race, a 3,000-mile coast-to-coast race across the USA.  Race Across the West (RAW), an 860-mile race across the Western US, the RAAM Challenge Series of ultra road races, and the 6-12-24 Hour World Time Trail Championships are all a part of the RAAM brand.  In addition, RAAM offers seminars on ultra bicycle racing and sanctions ultra races worldwide. Visit RAAM online for complete information http://ift.tt/PPK50f

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