Urs Races RAAM to Benefit Boyer Children's Clinic

Here is what we just handed to Boyer Children's Clinic for their parent newsletter:

'Race Across America' to Benefit Boyer in June '09 Former Boyer parent Urs Koenig will compete as a solo bike racer in the annual 'Race Across America' (RAAM)- a coast-to-coast, 'ultracycling' race that pits each rider against the clock and is known as the world's toughest endurance event (www.raceacrossamerica.org). The race begins June 17 in Oceanside, California and has to be completed within 12 days for an official finish in Annapolis, Maryland. The route is over 3000 miles, touches 14 states and climbs over 100,000 feet. Solo racers typically finish in 9 to 12 days, averaging 250 to 350 miles per day. To achieve this staggering accomplishment, Urs will have to maximize time on the bike, minimize sleep, and conquer adversities such as desert heat, high altitudes, and blustering headwinds. An official finish would represent the fulfillment of a long-sought dream for Urs and be the pinnacle of his athletic career focused on endurance sports. The 2009 race is actually Urs' second attempt - he competed as a Soloist in RAAM four years ago and had to pull-out after 850 miles due to pulmonary problems he developed in the Rocky Mountains. Exciting news for Boyer Children's Clinic and our families: Urs and his wife Catherine Parker have chosen to use RAAM as an opportunity to raise funds on our behalf this year. Together with Boyer, they'll ask friends, colleagues, family and our extended network of supporters and donors to follow the race and pledge their dollars for Boyer's benefit. Please stay tuned as Boyer rolls out more information on how to sponsor Urs to support Boyer in 2009!