Race Across America riders on way to area

Once again, some of the world's best marathon bicyclists will pass through Fort Scott and Nevada as the 30th Annual Race Across America (RAAM) is underway.

There are several divisions for men and women, solo riders and relay teams. Solo women and men in the over-60 division left the starting line at Oceanside, Calif., Tuesday. Solo men left Wednesday while relay teams will leave this morning.

The race is not held in stages as the more famous Tour De France is -- and is about 30 percent longer than the Tour. It is a coast-to-coast marathon that covers over 3,000 miles. The riders will finish in Annapolis, Md., between June 24-27. Races will climb in elevation 170,000 total feet and cross through 12 states, 88 counties and 350 communities.

Fort Scott is an official time station on the RAAM course, where riders must check in to report their progress. The competitors will pass through Nevada on their way to the next time station at Weaubleau, Mo.

RAAM began in 1982 with four individuals racing from Los Angeles to New York. Relay team categories were added in 1994.

This year, there are five solo divisions -- Under-50 women, 50-59 women, Under-50 men, 50-59 men and 60-69 men. There are five women competing, three of whom are in the 50-59 division. Men's under 50 is the most competitive, this year drawing 22 individuals from the United States, Austria, Italy, Brazil, Norway, New Zealand, Slovenia, Switzerland, India and Liechtenstein. The 50-59 division has 11 entrants while the 60-69 division has three, all Americans.

There are 14 team divisions, although some of them have only one entry. The eight-person open category has 13 teams while the four-person male under-50 division has 18.

Because they can switch riders, teams can maintain a faster pace and -- despite the fact that the soloists have a five-day head start -- will eventually pass the soloists. A mix of individuals and teams may be passing through the area simultenously on Monday and Tuesday.

Riders must share the course with regular traffic and obey all traffic laws. This presents a danger to the riders, even though they are escorted by support teams. There have been only two fatalities in the history of RAAM -- one in 2003 and the other in 2005.

The men's solo division will be run without its defending champion, Jure Robic of Slovenia, who was killed in a traffic accident in September 2010. Robic was a five-time winner with his first title coming in 2005. Daniel Wyss of Switzerland won the two RAAMs that Robic did not during his run, in 2006 and 2008. However, he is not listed on the race roster, either.

Gerhard Gulewicz of Austria, last year's runner-up, is likely considered the favorite to succeed Robic as RAAM champion. Slovenian Marko Baloh returns to competition after skipping last year's race. Leading American men are Alberto Blanco, Mark Pattinson and Christopher Gottwald.

As of 11:30 p.m. Friday night, Austrian Christopher Strasser was the men's solo leader as he was the first to check in at the time station in Alamosa, Colo. He is averaging 18.48 MPH and if he can keep up that pace, he would pass through Fort Scott at about 10 p.m. Sunday night.

Baloh reported in to the station in South Fork, Colo., at 9:36 p.m. CST Friday. Blanco checked in at Pagosa Springs, Colo., at 8:38 p.m. while Gulewicz checked in there at 10:24 p.m.

Much more information about the race, including up-to-date leaderboards for each category and daily video reports, can be seen on the RAAM website, www.raceacrossamerica.org.