Race Across America: A Canadian woman goes for glory
Attempts to become first Canadian woman to finish
Third time lucky? Third time good! Huntsville, Ontario’s Caroline van den Bulk has tried twice to finish the cross-country ultra-marathon Race Across America (RAAM) solo but was thwarted both times. Her asthma got the better of her during her first attempt, and then she was disqualified at the last check point before the finish for being outside the time limit, even though a race official had assured her that she’d get a three hour credit for a delay in New Mexico that was out of her power. This time, though, she feels more prepared and lethally focused.
“It’s now or never, ” she said before yesterday’s start in Oceanside, California. “This is my last approach. I’m very focused to finish, still as first Canadian woman to complete the course.” The parcours is nothing short of a 4800 km excursion from California to Maryland, which will take her about eleven days to conquer. She has an experienced eight person crew to assist her in this incredibly arduous race.
The other Canadians racing, in a two-person team, are Mark Herbst and Paul Millar.
Slovenian soldier and RAAM solo men’s legend Jure Robic, five time winner between 2004 and 2010, was tragically struck and killed by a car while training last year.
You can follow van den Bulk’s progress through www.carolinevandenbulk.ca or www.raceacrossamerica.org Folks can send their support to her via texts to 705-787-8556
