February 23, 2005 -Organizers for the Insight Race Across America (RAAM) are preparing for the biggest event to date as the 2005 start approaches on June 19. Following the buzz behind last month’s NBC Sports telecast of the 2004 race, participant interest in RAAM is at an all-time high and expected to continue soaring. On February 23, 2005, 114 riders had signed up for the solo and team categories in the ultra-distance cycling event, already surpassing last year’s record 99 entries.

While history tells us that the Insight Race Across America (RAAM) is the same to ultra-distance cyclists as the Tour de France is to road racers, RAAM is about 78 years younger than “Le Tour” and relatively speaking is still in its formative years. One of the most significant recent changes to the organization of the world’s greatest ultra-cycling challenge was the addition of the Corporate Challenge, which emerged in 2002, making it a realistic prospect for weekend warrior teams to relay across the country in a team of eight. And now in 2005, RAAM is introducing the 24-hour version, a new category for amateur riders called the 24-Hour RAAM Corporate & Team Challenge. This is a team race from the start in San Diego to Flagstaff, Arizona, giving new riders a sampling of the excitement that is RAAM.

“This race has continuously grown in new directions for the past three years,” says Race Director Jim Pitre. “Each year the plan is refined and that is reflected in the people that turn out in support. It seems that the interest and enthusiasm for the Insight Race Across America continues to gain strength among both cyclists and the general public.” Riders from 12 different countries will travel 3,047 miles and 14 states before crossing the finish line in Atlantic City.