ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO - Known as the world's toughest bicycle race, on June 20th, 2015 Dina Hannah of Albuquerque, New Mexico will embark on an extraordinary journey that will test her limits, physical and mental resilience and commitment to a cause. As a competitor in Race Across America (RAAM), Hanna will endure 3,000 miles on her bicycle across the length of the North American Continent, from Pacific to Atlantic.
Dina, Chief Compliance Officer at TriCore Reference Laboratories has said her journey as an athlete epitomized a journey to wellness. After many years of struggling with obesity and weighing over 230 lbs, Dina decided it was time for a change. She adopted a healthy diet, added exercise, and participated in a number of local 5ks. She garnered a few wins in her Clydesdale division before being crippled by arthritis. Surgical intervention took the pain away but left her unable to run. A commuter challenge sponsored by her employer inspired Dina to try riding her bike to work and kindled a passion for cycling which has continued to this day. Dina competed with the first Love, Sweat and Gears RAAM 4-woman team, working together to win the 2012 event in an impressive 7 days, 36 minutes. During this time, Dina was also diagnosed with degenerative hip disease, a result of her early obesity, genetics and a traumatic hip injury. She underwent a total hip replacement in late January 2013 and came back just 8 months later to win the shortened Furnace Creek 508 in just 23 hours 20 min.
Dina and her teammate Janet Christansen will traverse across 12 states and climb over 170,000 vertical feet. Team racers have a maximum of nine days and most finish in about seven and a half days. Dina and Janet hope to finish in 8 days and 2 hours, a record for women riding in the event. Teams will ride 350-500 miles a day, racing non-stop.
RAAM attracts an international field - competitors from 35 countries have participated. The race has become an outstanding platform for raising money for charitable causes - over $2.5 million is raised annually for a wide range of charitable causes. RAAM is an American tradition - 2015 will be its 34th year making it one of America's longest continuously running cycling events.
For more information on Dina Hanna "Love, Sweat and Gears" contact Carol Biondi 505-379-5616 or carol.biondi@tricore.org.
