DVM, 60, is 4th in grueling, cross-country bike race

Annapolis, Md.

-- A 60-year-old Wisconsin relief veterinarian finished first in his category and fourth overall in the 28th Ride Across America, a 3,021-mile coast-to-coast bicycle race.

Dr. Paul Danhaus of Wausau, Wis., crossed the finish line in Annapolis at 2:35 a.m. June 28 -- 11 days, 10 hours and 48 minutes after he started the race June 17 in Oceanside, Calif. He fell short of the 11-day, 3-hour and 25-minute record for the solo-male 60-69 (age) category by just seven hours.

"My first goal was to officially finish. I was the first American solo finisher," Danhaus says. He also was the oldest solo finisher and the top amateur. The top three finishers are professional cyclists.

Called "the world's toughest bicycle race," Race Across America (RAAM), held annually since 1982, covers 14 states, with climbs of more than 100,000 feet. It is 30 percent longer than the Tour de France and, unlike that race, is not run in stages. RAAM is covered in one stage, and solo cyclists finish in half the time with no rest days. The format is a time trial, commonly called "racing against the clock" or "the race of truth." There are no time-outs for weather or other unforeseen conditions. Each finisher's total time includes stops for rest.

Danhaus' route took him through mountainous terrain in Arizona and New Mexico, the Ozarks and Appalachians. On most days, he took only two-hour naps after cycling up to 22 hours. He finished the course with an average speed of 10.99 mph. At one point in Indiana, his support crew stopped him for fluids after he became dehydrated.

Besides the solo entrants, the race has two-person, four-person and eight-person teams. With an eight-person team, each member averages three hours a day cycling. Entrants for this year's 28th race represented 10 countries.

Danhaus retired and sold his Wausau small-animal practice five years ago and currently works as a relief veterinarian when not training. He ran numerous marathons in the 1970s and participated in seven Hawaii Ironman triathlons, where he developed an avid interest in cycling. His first RAAM attempt was in 2007 as part of a three-person team, riding about 1,000 miles.

Danhaus' participation this year raised funds for Wounded Warrior Project, which helps wounded service personnel return to an active lifestyle. Overall, RAAM cyclists each year raise more than $1 million for various charities.