UPDATE: Vernon athlete nears finish line in Race Across America

“Goldstein has had a great ride, and within the next several hours, should arrive on City Dock to claim 2nd place in the solo women’s 50-59 category, 2nd woman overall, and it’s looking like 4th solo overall,” a posting on Leah’s Facebook page stated.

On Thursday night in Vernon, Goldstein was named a co-winner of the 2023 Tim Hortons North Okanagan Athlete of the Year award.

Vernon athlete in top three at Race Across America
June 22, 2023 9:00 a.m.

Leah Goldstein is currently in third place in the Race Across America as she cycles towards West Union, West Virginia.

She has travelled 2667 miles (over 4,200 km) so far on this, her fourth Race Across America, the event she won in 2021.

The Vernon athlete trails two cyclists from Switzerland: Lionel Poggio at 2,683 miles and leader Isa Pulver, who is currently at 2,794 miles.

The 4,800 km race concludes in Annapolis, Maryland.

Original story June 21, 2023

A Vernon ultra-athlete is in the hunt for another title at what is referred to as “the world’s toughest bicycle race.”

Leah Goldstein is among the top three riders in the Race Across America (RAAM) which spans 4,800 kilometers, and is into its eighth day as of Wednesday, June 21.

Goldstein started the gruelling journey in Oceanside, California on June 13, and her finish line will be in Annapolis, Maryland in the next couple days.

Goldstein, 54, has competed in the RAAM at least three times before including in 2021 when she won the overall solo division, the first time in the race’s 39-year history that a woman won the overall title. She completed the trek in 11 days, three hours and three minutes.

Goldstein’s Facebook page says Leah is averaging 300 miles a day on just over three hours of sleep. As of 2 p.m. Pacific time June 21, she trailed only Isa Pulver, a woman from Switzerland and Lionel Poggio, a man from Switzerland.

“Goldstein put in a powerful performance in the past 24 hours,” an update on RAAM’s Facebook said on Tuesday, June 20. “Since yesterday morning she’s passed under 50 male soloist Yusuke Ochiai -Randonneur Plus Project (Japan), and under 50 female soloist Heather Poskevich (USA), the top-placed American rider at the moment.”

To follow Leah’s progress, visit RAAM’s 2023 Live Tracker.

by Pete McIntyre/ Vernon Matters

UPDATE: Vernon athlete nears finish line in Race Across America

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