Team Type 1 Takes Early Lead In RAAM

Near Salome, Ariz. – Team Type 1 took over the lead in the eight-person team division of the Race Across America (RAAM) fewer than 150 miles into the 3,021-mile (4,861 km) transcontinental race.

As the race neared the second of 53 time stations, Team Type 1 passed early leader, Team ViaSat, about 140 miles into the race near Brawley, Calif.


Through the first 293 miles of the non-stop race from Oceanside, Calif., to Annapolis, Md., Team Type 1 is averaging 26.74 mph. Team ViaSat remains second, averaging 25.58 mph.

All eight athletes on Team Type 1 have Type 1 diabetes, a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels. The team finished second last year.

Team Type 1’s eight riders are split into two teams: “Tango” (Jeff Bannink, Simon Bennett, Tom Kingery and Mark Suprenant) and “Cash” (Bob Schrank, Alex Bowden, Matt Brooks and Lonny Knabe).

Also on the road in the eight-person division is Team Type 2, a first-year team that consists of eight riders who all have Type 2 diabetes. They are: John Anderson, Bob Avritt, Bill Arnold, Bob Chaisson, Larry Cleveland, Peter Cowley, Mark Thul and Denny Vorhees.

Team Type 1 founder Phil Southerland was on hand to see both teams off in Oceanside Saturday afternoon. He said the two squads have an opportunity to touch people throughout the world who are affected by diabetes.

“This is our fourth year with Team Type 1 and the guys are as pumped as ever to have a record crossing,” he said. “With Team Type 2, I don’t there’s a guy on the team who hasn’t lost 20 pounds since training camp back in late January.

“That’s the message we want to send: live a healthy lifestyle. It was great seeing the smiles on the faces of the crew who were all so excited to be here because we are all part of something great. We’re living with diabetes every day and certainly it’s a challenge. But we’re doing this so we can help others do it better.”

Southerland and Joe Eldridge helped the team win the eight-person team division of the race in 2006 and 2007. The two are now members of the Team Type 1 men’s professional cycling team. Team Type 1 also fields a professional women’s program, a triathlon team and a development team.

Follow the progress of Team Type 1 and Team Type 2 during RAAM by going to teamtype1.org.

Photos: Courtesy Andrew Burgess (top); Courtesy Race Across America (bottom).