San Diego Endurance Cyclists Race for Good
The starting line for Race Across America (RAAM) and Race Across the West (RAW) returns to Oceanside on June 11 and June 15. Race Across America is a 3,000 mile coast-to-coast race across the United States. RAAM is widely recognized as the world’s toughest endurance bicycle race. The Race Across the West (RAW) is one of the world’s top RAAM Qualifying events from Oceanside, CA to Durango, CO; 860 miles across the rugged American West.
While RAAM is first and foremost an endurance race, drawing the most intensely driven individuals, it also attracts teams dedicated to the bringing awareness and raising funds for causes or charitable organizations that they’re passionate about; many of whom have a personal connection to their cause. RAAM participants have raised over $1 million for charity in each of the past three years. The Lon Haldeman Award was created to honor racers who raise the most funds for their chosen charity.
From elevation challenges in our local mountains to enduring heat and wind in our deserts, San Diego is a breeding ground for endurance athletes due to our perfect year-round training conditions. Here are some of your San Diego race participants and the charities that they’re riding for. Starting with our own team from OCEANSIDE!!
Team Oceanside
Category: RAAM 8-person (open)
Team Members: Steve Peppard (Fallbrook), Kelan Poorman (Fallbrook), Manuel Armijo (Oceanside), Mason Turvey (Oceanside), Ryan Johnson (Carlsbad), Jose Lopez (Oceanside), Bill Richardson (Oceanside), Nathan Ridlon (Tustin).
The riders and crew consist of Police Officers, local business owners, family, and friends. The team’s mission is to raise awareness and funds for the Oceanside Police Canine Officers’ Association. Police K9’s require a wide array of specialized equipment for both training and active duty that enable the officer and canine partner to excel at their tasks and to do so safely.
Team SuperMarrow
Category: RAAM 8-person (open)
Team Members: Captain Lam Do, M.D. (Superhero Captain A’marrow’ca), Joseph Brus (Superhero Daredevil), Dzung Dang (Superhero The Hulk/Hero Kheiron), Michelle Deisch (Supershero Wonder Woman), Matthew (Matt) Mark Lux, M.D. (Superhero Deadpool), Rev. Dr. Tam Pham (Superhero Ironman), Jim Sander (Superhero the Thing), Arham Shaikh (Superhero Thor — Lord of Thunder)
We are a team of relentless individuals, comprised of Leukemia patients, their families, and their physicians. Together we will race across America. We bike with the common mission to raise awareness for Leukemia, and to help diversify the Be The Match Registry by registering more potential donors. Team SuperMarrow supports Asian American Donor Program. All net proceeds will go to Asian American Donor Program to help support stem cell education and registration programs. teamsupermarrow.org
Team In Our Prime
Category: RAW 2-person
Team Members: Karin Weller (Turlock), Sylvia Mass (San Diego)
Team San Diego Sports Medicine/Zoca
Category: RAW 4-person
Team Members: Robert Bernhard (San Diego), Rhonda Geiszler (San Diego), Greg Campbell-Cunefare (Escondido), Domingo Rex (Coronado)
Team ViaSat
Category: RAW 4-person
Team Members: Stephen Lavery (San Marcos), Andrew McGuan (Carlsbad), Andrew Shore (Carlsbad), Tyler Hoffman (Encinitas)
The team of four endurance athletes are all employees of ViaSat Inc, a communications company headquartered in Carlsbad, CA. ViaSat and a number of corporate sponsors are backing the team, riding in support of Pedal the Cause San Diego, a non-profit that funds cancer research at the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, Salk Cancer Center, and Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute. Riding in the event is also an opportunity to showcase the newest ViaSat technology and services.
Jen Orr
Category: RAW Solo
I’ve been participating in double century events since 2016 and as of October 2018 have participated in races as long as 24 hours. My goal is to finish Race Across AMerica (RAAM) in 2020 as a solo cyclist and to raise money for the Gary Sinise Foundation while doing so. This page will be frequently updated as I make progress toward my goal.My primary event of 2019 will be Race Across the West.
Cowbell Up
Now that you’ve seen our own hometown teams we want you to give them a rousing send off. So mark your calendars and dust off those cowbells and let’s show them our O’side pride! #RAAM2019
Start days/times:
- Tuesday, June 11: 12pm – 2pm – Race Across the West and Race Across America Solo Rider Start
- Saturday, June 15: 12pm – 2pm – Race Across America Team Start
