Article Contributed on: 3/16/2009 12:09:35 AM
The Colorado Flash cycle team was honored for their outstanding achievements in Masters Cycling from the Sportswomen of Colorado at the 35th annual Sportswomen of Colorado awards banquet March 8, 2009. Arvada resident
Carol Whipple, along with her team members
Lark Birdsong,
Celeste Callahan, and
Helena Harman raced 3,014 miles from coast to coast across the U.S.in the Race Across America, known as the world's toughest bike race.
The Sportswomen of Colorado was founded in 1974 to honor female athletes, celebrate their achievements, and recognize those whose efforts have advanced girls' and women's individual and team sports endeavors. 2008 Olympic marathon gold medalist Constantina Dita was the keynote speaker at this year's awards celebration, where she also presented the honorees with a framed award certificate and Colorado Sportswomen medallion.
The Colorado Flash senior women's team beat their competition in the 2008 Race Across America as they raised almost $70,000 for the Partnership of Rural Colorado Boys & Girls Clubs. There were three 4-person all-women's teams competing in the Race Across America; two of these senior teams. The Colorado Flash beat the other two women's teams with a time of 8 days, 4 hours, and 37 minutes.
The Race Across America is the longest running ultra-distance bicycle endurance competition in the world. 250 competitors from 17 different countries participated in this transcontinental race. The team left Oceanside, California June 11 and raced non-stop through 15 states, finishing in Annapolis, Maryland June 19.