Race Across America 
(RAAM)
Presented by:
Organisation
location - North America, United States of America
start - Oceanside Pier, California
finish - City Dock Annapolis, Maryland
maximum duration - solo racers 12 days, team racers 9 days
ascent - 51816 metres
distance - 4828 kilometres (3000 miles)
held - mid-June, close to summer solstice to provide maximum daylight hours
Completion Records
winning competitors complete the course in just over a week
fastest ever male racer average speed 16.42 mph in 7 days 15 hours
fastest ever female racer average speed 13.22 mph in 9 days and 4 hours
Entry
open to professional and amateur racers
participants range in age from 13 to 75
solo, 2, 4, and 8-person relay teams
solo racers must qualify to compete
Background
transatlantic ultra-marathon bike race running since 1982
the world’s longest endurance event and time trial
often called “the world’s toughest bicycle race”
racers from at least 20 countries every year
about 18% of the racers are women
30% longer than Tour de France in half the time
no rest days
The Route
crosses 12 states from the west coast to the east coast
traverses three major mountain ranges (Sierra, Rocky and Appalachian)
crosses the Great Plains and four of America’s longest rivers (Colorado, Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio)
passes through iconic American landmarks (Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, Monument Valley, Great Plains and Gettysburg)