Race Across America Riders Began Trek Tuesday From California

news1@ulyssesnews.com

The annual Race Across America began in Oceanside, California June 10, and Ulysses will again be a time station stop. The first riders are expected in Ulysses June 13, with riders coming to the time station at Grant County Fire Department on East Oklahoma Avenue through June 18.

The Grant County Commission granted permission June 3 for use of the Fire Station as a time station once again.

“We should see racers between the 13th and 18th of June,” said Grant County Chamber of Commerce Assistant Director Robin Leonard. “We get a lot of shout-outs on social media; everybody always talks about how generous and how nice Ulysses is.

“We’ve had some visitors come back after the race”

Volunteers bring food and set up cots so the racers and their crews can rest and eat during the stop. When a racer arrives, the volunteers greet them with cheers, and the fire department sets up a pool out front for the racers to cool off.

“A lot of times, we’re first people they see, we’re the first manned time station,” Leonard added.

Chamber director Marieta Hauser said teams consist of 1-8 riders and crew from all over the world.

“At our time station we are offering hospitality, we’re offering community information. They might need to know where to get a shower, where they can do laundry, get groceries or car parts.”

Hauser said volunteers are needed for all hours. The first rider last year arrived at 1:30 in the morning.

“It’s 24 hours a day from Friday, June 13 through Wednesday June 18,” Hauser said. “That’s when we expect the riders.

“Over the years, we’ve become known as one of the best time stations on the route.”