News Release
ATTN: News, Sports,
Health Editors
CANADIAN READY
FOR RACE ACROSS AMERICA (RAAM)
Toronto man cycling
4900 km in 8 days as extreme fundraiser for Women’s
Health Centre
May 29, 2006 TORONTO,
ON - It’s the world’s longest and most merciless
bike race. It’s also a case of extreme fundraising by
a dedicated son - just call him the three million dollar man.
On June 11th, 2006
starting in San Diego, California and ending in Atlantic City,
New Jersey, Kevin Wallace will race non-stop with 30 elite
competitors from around the world in what is called the Race
Across America (RAAM).
Wallace is aiming
not just to finish the quest but to beat the current world
record time of eight days, nine hours and 47 minutes. The
whole effort is a case of extreme fundraising. Wallace is
trying to raise $250,000 in pledges for the Betty Wallace
Women’s Health Centre in west Toronto, named in honour
of his mother who died of breast cancer. The centre focuses
on prevention, detection and compassionate treatment of breast
cancer - all part of Trillium Health Centre. In the past five
years, Kevin Wallace has raised an incredible $2.7 million
for the women’s centre through cycling related events.
He’s the biggest single fundraiser for Trillium. Taking
on the solo RAAM is his most extreme effort ever - pushing
his fundraising efforts to the three million dollar mark.
Outdoor Magazine calls RAAM the toughest race in the world,
placing it above the Iditarod and Hawaii’s Ironman Triathlon.
The terrain is punishing. Wallace will climb 33,538 meters
or three times the height of Mount Everest by the end of the
ride. Temperatures will soar to 50 degrees celsius in the
Sonora Desert and drop below freezing in the Rocky Mountains.
Winds will whip up to 80 km blowing cyclists right off their
bikes. Only half will finish in a year celebrating RAAM’s
25th anniversary. Each cyclist will carry a GPS tracking device
allowing their location to be mapped live on a website.
Wallace will eat
on wheels, change his clothes while riding and take washroom
brakes from his bike. An incredible 22 hours of pedalling
a day with a short rest stop. An unimaginable eight hours
of sleep over eight days during the ultimate bike road trip.
Wallace says extreme fundraising is an expression of how tough
it is to battle cancer. “The race will be grueling,
my body will start to give out and my mind will play games.
This is the toughest physical and mental challenge of my life.
But my mother is a constant inspiration to me and a reminder
to help make a difference.”
A flashy race uniform
will blaze the landscape in shades of hot pink, Wallace chose
the recognized colour of the breast cancer cause. Each agonizing
race day is dedicated to someone affected by breast cancer.
For the three million
dollar man, there is no finish line.
Donations can me
made at www.teamrace.com
Every penny raised goes to the Betty Wallace Women’s
Health Centre.
MEDIA ACCESS: Interview
with Kevin Wallace in the field; cycling and training visuals
can be arranged; access to the Betty Wallace Health Centre;
interview(s) with a courageous woman battling breast cancer
an inspiration for the cyclist during the race (a remarkable
story); representative from the Trillium Foundation -- recipient
of the $2.7 million for the Betty Wallace Health Centre; Robert
Langley motivational coach; training advisor and nutritionist
Dr. Pat Hewitt.
Kevin also owns a fantastic bicycle shop and runs spinning
classes twice a week at the shop.
Dates available: May 30th, May 31st, June 1st June 2nd and
June 3rd.
Media Contacts
For all media enquiries, please call Public Relations at 905-848-7580 ext. 3832.
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