HOW TO QUALIFY FOR SOLO RAAM

All solo racers must “qualify” to race RAAM.  Following are the ways in which a solo racer may qualify for RAAM: 

Ways to Qualify for Solo RAAM 

▪  Completing 2- or 4-person Team RAAM. 

▪  Completing a “RAAM Style” RAAM Qualifying Race (RQ).  Generally, a “RAAM Style” event is one which is of longer distance (at least 350 miles), on public roads, non-drafting and with follow vehicle(s) and support crew.

▪  Completing a “24-hour” RQ.  Generally, a “24-hour” event is non-drafting and run on public roads.  Since 24-hour events do not involve follow vehicles, racers qualifying by completing a “24-hour” RQ will be required to attend a RAAM sponsored Crewing Seminar or have crewed for a solo RAAM attempt. 

▪  Completing an UltraMarathon Cycling Association (UMCA) sanctioned record attempt.  Attempt may not necessarily be successful in setting a record, but must be completed pursuant to UMCA rules.  Record attempt may be cross-state, -province, -country or other approved nature.  Record attempt must be at least 350 miles.

▪  Completing the PAC Tour Elite Tour. 

▪  Long randonees are no longer RQs.  However, prospective racers who have completed one or more 1200K randonees are encouraged to petition the RAAM RD to race solo RAAM. 

▪  If a prospective racer is unable to make arrangements to attempt to qualify at one of the listed events, the racers is encouraged to contact the RAAM RD to make other arrangements.

▪  Racers may petition the RAAM to compete in RAAM if they have not met the above standards but feel other accomplishments qualify them to race solo RAAM.  Acceptance will be determined by the RAAM RD and the RAAM RD’s decision will be final.

▪  At least one rider on a tandem must have qualified for solo RAAM pursuant to these qualification guidelines.

Teams are not required to “qualify” for RAAM.

RAAM Qualification Standards

▪  Racers must average 10.5 mph in a “RAAM Style” RQ or finish the event within the event’s official cut-off time whichever is faster. 

▪  Racers must travel 400 miles in a “24-hour” RQ.  In addition, racers achieving the qualifying standard for a “24-hour” RQ must attend a RAAM sponsored Crewing Seminar or have crewed for a solo RAAM attempt. 

▪  Racers must average 10.5 mph in a UMCA-sanctioned record attempt. 

If a racer believes an official has made a decision that violates event rules, was unfair to the racer and/or effected racer’s qualifying for RAAM, racer may appeal to the event race director/owner.  RAAM will not intercede on behalf of the racer or event race director/owner.  Their decision(s) are final with respect to their events.

Achieving the RAAM qualifying standard in a particular RQ is not an indicator of one’s preparedness for RAAM.  Race conditions, terrain and other factors may vary widely.  Moreover, there is a significant “scale-up” from the RQs to RAAM itself.  Many of the problems encountered on RAAM never have a chance to manifest themselves in an RQ.  Racers who pick what may seem to be the “easiest” RQ are not necessarily doing themselves any favors.  Accordingly, racers are encouraged to race more than one RQ event.  In general, the more experience one has, the greater the chance of a successful RAAM finish.

Achieving RAAM Qualified Status 

Racers achieving RAAM Qualified status by completing 2- or 4-person Team RAAM need not notify RAAM of their results.

Racers achieving RAAM Qualified status through a RAAM-Style RQ, 24-Hour RQ or the PACTour Eltie Tour need not notify RAAM of their results.  RAAM-sanctioned RQs are required to submit the race results following completion of the event.

Racers qualifying through a UMCA record attempt or by completing the PAC Tour Elite Tour must submit documentation evidencing same to RAAM management.

RAAM qualification is good for two years following the year of qualification.

All official solo and solo tandem RAAM finishers are qualified for life.

Awards for Achieving RAAM Qualification

Racers achieving RAAM Qualified status will receive a letter of invitation to race RAAM.  Plaques evidencing the achievement of RAAM Qualified status will be made available for purchase at yearend.

For further information please contact:

George Thomas, RAAM Race Director

director@raceacrossamerica.org