Race Across America FAQ's

General Race Information
On June 11, 2006, the solos depart on the 25th annual Insight Race Across America which begins in Oceanside, California.  Competitors climb over 110,000 feet while crossing 14 states in their 3,053 mile campaign to the finish line in Atlantic City, New Jersey, approximately 9 days later.  Teams start 2 days later on Tuesday, June 13th and finish 5-7 days later.  Divisions included in the race are Male/Female soloists, Tandem, 2 or 4 person Teams, and Corporate Teams (8 person).  There will be a separate division of 24 Hour Corporate Challenge riders from Oceanside to Flagstaff, Arizona and Durango, Colorado respectively.

RAAM Qualification Requirements
Solo riders must qualify by completing a Qualifying race in a specified time.  Go to the UMCA website for details on Qualifying races.  If you feel you have a unique or special situation and have the qualifications to, contact the Race Director.

Current Records
Solo Men: Pete Penseyres, (1986) 8 Days 09 Hours 47 Min. - 3,107 miles - 15.40 mph / 5,000 km - 24.78 kph
Solo Women: Seana Hogan, (1995) 9 Days 04 Hours 02 Min. - 2,912 miles - 13.20 mph / 4,686 km - 21.24 kph
2 Person Team: Team Coast To Coast (2004) 6 days 14 Hours 7.Min. - 2,958 miles - 18.71 mph
4 Person Team: Action Sports (2004) 5 days 8 Hours 17 Min. - 2,905 miles - 23.06

Where does RAAM start?
RAAM will begin in Downtown Oceanside, California on the waterfront by the pier, near the Band Shell.

What are the starting times?
Solo Racers and 24 Hour Corporate Challenge teams will start on Sunday, June 11th at 9:00 A.M. (PDT).  The 2, 4 & 8 person Corporate Teams start on Tuesday June 13th at 2:00 P.M. (PDT).

Where does it finish?
We will finish on the famous Boardwalk at Kennedy Plaza in front of Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey.  Racers will complete their last miles over the Expressway bridge with an amazing view of Atlantic City filled with neon lights.  The route goes down the main street between Caesar's Palace and the Trump Casino directly to the Boardwalk.

When does RAAM finish?
Week of June 18th, 2006.  Team Riders begin to finish as early as Sunday, June 18th, and Tuesday, June 20th for Solo.  Riders must finish by final cutoff time of Friday, June 23rd at 12:00 (noon).

Where does the 2006 route go? (Route Changes available on website).
We head east out of Oceanside via local roads toward Lake Henshaw (on CA 76), a few miles west of its terminus at CA 78.  Moving on to Salton City (at junction of CA 86 and Imperial County road S22) and then on to Chiraco Summit (on I-10, on to connect at its junction with Box Canyon Road and on to Blythe, CA.  Some challenging climbs occur in the first 100 miles that will be compounded by the heat of the desert. Some of the best scenery in the southwest is presented going through Arizona and Colorado with some exciting down hills and climbs.  The spires of the world famous Monument Valley, historic Durango, Colorado and challenging heights of Wolf Creek Pass combined to inspire and challenge riders and crews alike.  A real view of the American heartland expands for a thousand miles or so passing such notable places as Kansas City, St. Louis and Indianapolis.  Farther east the route goes on to pass through some of the most unforgettable historical ground in America including Sharpsburg, Hagerstown, Gettysburg, Chadds Ford and more to finish on the famous Boardwalk in Atlantic City.

What is the Prize List?
Cash prize money is available for Solo and Team riders plus merchandise items.  Prizes will be divided among categories and divisions based on number of participants in each field.  Additional prizes will be available for record-breaking times and speeds.  Details will be available in March, 2006.

What media coverage will the race receive?
We expect to repeat in 2006 with a 2 hour special on NBC TV, however, at a minimum, a major American TV network will carry a 1 hour or longer RAAM special late in the 2006 year.  Most television, radio station and newspaper in the area of the start, finish and along the route will receive personal updates during the months and weeks before the race arrives.  2005 coverage included over 90 television news/sports reports in 14 US markets plus newspaper coverage with a circulation over 14 million.  In addition a number of magazines with circulations totaling over 1 million published stories and articles about the race.  Additionally European TV, press and includes coverage of similar scope and breadth throughout Europe.

Route Directions and Information
See preliminary pages 13-23.  See RAAM Website for current updates from time to time.  DeLorme Street Atlas Route file is available for download from the RAAM Website.

Banquet Information
Start Line Solo Celebration Banquet at the City of Oceanside, Ampitheater - Guest speaker, entertainment, riders introduced and a great buffet - tickets available on at the RAAM webstore for $35.00 each - everyone welcome.  Team riders and crew members wanting to attend the solo banquet are encouraged to do so and tickets are being made available to Team Riders and crews at a discounted price of $25.00 ea. for the Solo Banquet.

Start Line Team Celebration Banquet at the City of Oceanside, Ampitheater, 6:00 p.m. Monday June 12th with Guest speaker, entertainment, teams introduced and a great buffet-tickets available at the RAAM webstore for $35.00 each - everyone welcome.

Finish Line Awards Banquet will be held on two days, Tuessday June 20 or Thursday June 22, 6:00 pm at O'Grady's at 3901 Atlantic Avenue.  Check our Race News page for updated information that will decide which banquet date we will attend.  Awards to be presented - awards dinner with entertainment/band - tickets available on at the RAAM web store for $15.00 each - everyone welcome.

Video Promoting RAAM
Check RAAM Website for video clips from previous races.

RAAM 2006 Supported Charities
Race Across America 2006 is honored to help our riders support their charitable causes as they Race Across America.  Please notify RAAM office after the race with the total donations you or your team collected for our records.

Need help or a rider
Need more crew members or maybe an additional team member visit RAAM's Meeting Place where one can ask for help or see if someone is available to help crew or ride.