NEWS RELEASES
Riding For Charity A Major Interest of Race Across America Event
Editor's Note: This news item was retrieved and first published through Endurance Sportswire's website.
BOULDER, Colo. - Race Across America (RAAM), the World’s Toughest Bicycle Race, has grown its reputation beyond competition to a major platform for athletes to raise funds and awareness for a broad array of organizations. Because of the growing interest in raising money for charitable funds, in 2007 RAAM created the Lon Haldeman Award. It recognizes the racer/team that raises the most funds for their charity(s) of choice.
According to a press release by Endurance Sportswire, "Since 2007, the funds raised collectively each year are in the $1.5-$2 million range." Rick Boethling, RAAM Executive Director stresses the importance of encouraging racers to participate for a cause as the trend was becoming more and more common among athletes. The Lon Haldeman Award winners are usually raising $500,000 or more. In 2014 and 2015, Team Intrepid Fallen Heroes (USA) raised close to $750,000 each year for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Athletes Without Frontiers (DEN) raised close to $500,000 in 2016. In 2017, Len Forkas (USA) raised over $900,000 for Hopecam. This year Rotary RAAMs Polio (USA) raised $1,025,000, including matching funds from the Gates Foundation. Rounding out the top three fundraising teams for 2018, raising nearly $100,000 each, were The Opportunists (USA) raising money for Opportunity Early Childhood Education & Family Centers and Team NEGU (USA) raising funds for three non-profits (Jessie Rees Foundation, Augie’s Quest and the Bahati Foundation).
For information on 2019 registration for RAAM or more on how they give back, visit the full press release.