Race Across America (RAAM), one of the world’s most iconic ultra-endurance cycling events, is taking a temporary pause as organizers evaluate the future of the race and its related events. After more than 40 years of history, the review is intended to strengthen the participant experience, preserve RAAM’s legacy and establish a sustainable path forward for the renowned coast-to-coast cycling challenge. The Race Across America (RAAM) organizers shared the following message:
A Message to the Race Across America (RAAM) Community
After careful consideration, we have decided to pause Race Across America — including RAAM, RAW and RAE — for the 2027 calendar year, along with our other events: the 2026 and 2027 editions of The 508, and the 2027 editions of the Longhorn 500 and Stampede 200.
RAAM has more than 40 years of history and has welcomed racers from around the world. We believe this is the right time to pause and undertake a thorough review of our events — from the races themselves and their formats to the overall participant experience — and to explore how they can evolve for the future.
Our goal is not simply to bring new racers into RAAM and our other events, but to create experiences that encourage them to return and help ultra-cycling continue to grow over the long term.
We believe it is important to take the time needed to determine the right long-term path rather than create expectations around a 2027 calendar before that work has been completed.
Our intention is to use this period to determine the best path forward for RAAM and our other events, with the clear ambition of bringing RAAM back in an improved form, delivering an event and experience worthy of its reputation as “the world’s toughest bicycle race.” The timing and form of that return will depend on the outcome of this review and on establishing a clear, sustainable model that preserves the legacy of RAAM while creating a strong platform for its future.
We know how much these events mean to the racers, support crews, volunteers, partners and host communities who are the soul and strength of RAAM. It is precisely because this community and legacy deserve to be preserved and honored that we believe taking the time to do this properly is the right approach.
We are deeply grateful for your loyalty and passion, which remain at the heart of every decision we make.
Further updates will be shared as this work progresses.
Fred Boethling (President & CEO)
Rick Boethling (VP & Executive Director)
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