Allen Larsen Ultracyclist of 2003 Harold and Lynne Trease photo

Allen Larsen has been elected by the Board of Directors as the Ultracyclist of 2003. Steve Born was previously elected by the membership to the Ultracycling Hall of Fame. The Ultracyclist of the 2003 honors achievement in that year; the Hall of Fame offers lifetime achievement.

UMCA members nominate deserving candidates who had an excellent year of cycling and are exemplars of the sport; the Board makes the final selection.

The UMCA member who nominated Larsen wrote: "RAAM is the most significant challenge of an ultracyclist and Allen blew everyone away last year in an exceptional demonstration of endurance, character, integrity, sportsmanship, and overcoming adversity, particularly exemplary in this year of UMCA dissension."

Allen uses RAAM "to advance endurance athletics standards as well as family values and personal dignity.. . . Let's not wait until Allen has broken Pete's speed record or Wolf's and Rob's endurance standards to honor this giant among winners."

Larsen said: "I would like to thank the UMCA Board for honoring me with this award. Being relatively new to the sport, with my focus only on RAAM, this award comes as a bit of a surprise. I hope my story not only encourages ultracyclists, but noncyclists as well in knowing that any obstacles can be overcome with enough determination, hard work, perseverance and the support of family and friends."

Larsen will be honored by the UMCA at the Race Across Oregon and will receive free entry to RAO, thanks to George Thomas.

Larsen's back was so badly injured in a car accident in 1988 that he was forced to give up riding. After years of pain he was finally able to resume cycling. After completing Seattle to Portland several times he started thinking about longer distances, even though he still had back pain. He rode is first ultra event in 2000, when he won the Cannonball. "I showed up at the start line with literally nothing that would be considered training and had no idea if I'd even finish. I set a new course record for that 275 miler from Seattle to Spokane in 13:06 - over the Cascades and all!" He also won the S2S, another Seattle to Spokane race, just two weeks after the Cannonball. In 2001 he was first place at the Race Across Oregon.

Allen had a great RAAM in 2002. He was the third place solo rider, won the Ian Sandbach award as the most inspirational rider, was Rookie of the Year and the Mississippi River Prime winner.

In 2003 he won RAAM in 8d 23h 36m, finishing 15 hours ahead of Jure Rubic, who took second. Larsen did this despite his neck failing half-way through the race.

When told of he was elected Ultracyclist of 2003, Larsen wrote. "It would be inappropriate for me to take full credit for this achievement, as it would have been impossible without the help of so many. I'd like to thank my wife, Teresa, and my two daughters, Kimberlee and Faith, for their continual support and encouragement. Both years' crews who stuck with me no matter how hard it got and were always willing to find solutions. My coach, John Hughes, for taking on an inexperienced rookie, seeing and believing in my potential, and helping in so many ways. My hometown for its abundant support and caring. You believed in me whether I won or not. Friends, family and sponsors, without you I wouldn't have made it to the start line, much less the finish line. Dr. Small and Dr. Reina at Florida Orthopedic Institute for blessing me with help and care beyond my wildest imagination. My Creator and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing me with an engine that could and so much more. I know this list seems long, but so is RAAM -- and completing RAAM takes a lot more than a bicycle.

George Thomas congratulates Allen Larsen at Race Across Oregon - James Burger photo

Larsen is currently training for RAAM '04. He says: "Though I don't know what my future holds, this award and my experiences with RAAM and ultracycling have been one of the four most life-changing events I've experienced. As I pedal on, it's my desire to motivate and encourage others to seek out their dreams and aspirations. I believe this award and my RAAM accomplishments will provide opportunities to support and promote the future of ultracycling."

Five candidates for 2003 were nominated by UMCA members:

Sam Baugh: Winner of 2003 John Marino Competition and fourth at the Furnace Creek 508.

John Lee Ellis: Rode 900 km of PBP before dropping out when his wife was hospitalized. Secretary of RUSA, Regional Brevet Administrator for Colorado, Vice President of the UMCA and Chair of the Mileage Challenge.

Wolfgang Fasching: Winner of XXAlps Extreme in 4d 14h 9m. This race is 2127 km (1322 miles) with 53,000 m (174,000 feet) of climbing.

Jeff Landauer: Winner of California Triple Crown, second place in Furnace Creek 508.

Allen Larsen: First place, RAAM in 8d 23h 36m, 15 hours ahead of second place Jure Rubic.

Congratulations to all of the candidates; each racer's nomination signifies his standing in the sport.