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Team Macular Regeneration,
for Race Across America
Start: Oceanside, CA - The Oceanside Pier. Women June 7th, Men June 8th, Teams June 11th.
Finish: Annapolis, MD - The City Dock. June 17th - June 20th.
Route: More than 3,000 miles across the United States.
What is RAAM?
The Race Across America is one of the most respected and longest running annual endurance events holding legendary stature the world over. It is one of the pinnacles of sporting accomplishment, globally seen as the highest rung of the ultra-endurance sports ladder. Since 1982, RAAM has a rich and storied history standing as a monument to human endeavors.
Unlike other famous races, like the Tour de France, RAAM is not a stage race. The race is one stage, live to the very end. In RAAM, once the clock starts on the west coast, the clock doesn't stop until each racer reaches the finish line on the east coast. RAAM is 30% longer than the Tour de France and racers finish in half the time with no rest days. The race format is essentially a time trial, commonly called racing against the clock or the race of truth. Unlike the Tour de France, there is no drafting or taking shelter from the wind.
The Race Across America is an event so staggering that merely to finish is, for most, the accomplishment of a lifetime. RAAM inspires everyone that it touches. A monumental race contested with the utmost of sportsmanship and zeal. Truly, RAAM is larger than life. A breeding ground for champions, a testing ground for elite riders and a shining example of the strength of human spirit.
FACTS:
- The route is over 3000 miles, touching 14 states and climbing over 100,000 feet.
- Teams typically cross the country in 6 to 9 days, averaging 350 to over 500 miles per day.
- Teams have a relay format and race 24 hours a day.
Is it a Charity?
More than half of the racers use RAAM as a platform and event to raise funds for various charities. In 2007, racers raised more than $1,000,000. Please help Team Macular Regeneration raise money for their cause! To learn about Macular Degeneration and donate visit: www.eyesight.org. Click on team picture and not “Donations” or “How to Donate” to assure donations are credited to Team Macular Regeneration.
Who are the riders?
Team Macular Regeneration is made up for four men from the Tampa Bay area in Florida. The riders include Dr. James G. DeLuca, Dr. Robert E. Ebert, Bo Webster and Brian Wilder.
Dr. James G. DeLuca is a General Dentist who practices in Spring Hill, Florida in partnership with Dr. Brian O'Sullivan. Supporting him in his first participation in the Race Across America is his fiancé Mandy Holcomb and their little girl Audrey. Jim has had some experience with endurance events as he has successfully completed two Ironman triathlons, and many shorter distance triathlons. In his youth, he solo cycled across Europe through five countries and 1400 miles. Jim serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserve, and was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is excited to join his team in their inaugural bid to Ride Across America in support of the Macular Degeneration Foundation.
Dr. Robert E. Ebert is a Medical Doctor who practices in Spring Hill, Florida in partnership with Good Shepard Medical Clinic. Supporting him in his first participation in the Race Across America is his wife Sandy and their two daughters Cristy and Candy and their son-in-law Chris. He has run numerous triathlons and enjoys mountain biking as well. He believes that RAAM will be an adventure beyond all adventures and is excited to be raising money for the Macular Degeneration Foundation for, “without sight this race would not be possible.”
Bo Webster is a self-employed triathlon coach and retired chemical engineer. He lives in Odessa, FL, and has a long list of athletic history including his first triathlon in 1981, Ironman Hawaii in 1987 and climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in 2004. It was his idea put a team together to do the Race Across America and have that team raise money for the Macular Degeneration Foundation. Having a close friend, Betty Jean Norfleet, who has suffered from macular degeneration for several years and has lost her ability to drive and has had more and more difficulty pursuing her passions for bridge and cooking, he chose Team Macular Regeneration as a team name. He is excited to cross the country with 3 other men in one week and to see and experience things that he can tell his grandchildren about. He believes you are as young as you feel.
Brian Wilder is a CPA/historic preservationist living in Saint Petersburg, FL. Brian has completed over 100 triathlons from 1983 to 1991 and won the Exclusive Sports Marketing's Florida Amateur Masters Sprint Tri Series in 1991. Having never done a cycling race, he believes that this event will surprise him in ways he could never expect.
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