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On 11th June 2013 Stuart “Nutty” Edwards will set off from west coast USA at Oceanside, California to compete in the grueling 3000 mile Race Across America (RAAM) road cycle event, finishing some eight to twelve days later on east coast USA at Annapolis, Maryland.
Nutty is a serving Royal Marine and currently a Colour Sergeant and Chief Cook at the Commando Training Centre, Devon. He is cycling to raise £3000 (£1 for every mile) for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund, a charity set up by Royal Marines for serving and ex Royal Marines and their families to support them with the many challenges they face. The RMCTF have set themselves a challenge to raise £6m by 2014 - the 350th anniversary of the Royal Marines.
Billed as “Hell on Two Wheels” the Race Across America is the most respected and most extreme endurance sport event in the world: 3000 miles; crossing twelve states; climbing 170,000 feet. This is no stage race and no team event, just one continuous time trial. Riders need to balance the need to pedal - around 230 - 350 miles per day for 8 to 12 days, with the need to eat, sleep and recover - once the clock starts on 11th June, it keeps running until the finish line - it is just you, the bike and the power of the human spirt.
To qualify for the Race across America Nutty competed in the Thruxton circuit 24 event, clocking 179 laps and finishing 1st overall. He is one of only five UK solo riders qualified for this years event. In mid April he completed a 1000 mile training ride from Devon to Lands End and along the south coast to Deal and back.
During his 30 years with the Royal Marines, Nutty has seen active service in The Falklands, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan and has operated in Jungle, Arctic and Desert environments, all skills he will need to call upon as he crosses the desert regions of southern California at around 50 degrees, the below freezing temperatures of the rocky mountain plateau and rides through a vast range of weather systems.
After competing in the UK National 24hr Time Trial in 2011 as one of a team of 6 Royal Navy personnel, Nutty was heard to say - “There is more distance in my legs .......”
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Nutty is the first Royal Marine to take part in the Race Across America.
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Nutty is the first ever full time serving member of British armed forces to take part in the Race Across America.
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To qualify for RAAM, racers must compete in and average 10.5mph and travel 400 miles in a 24hr RAAM style race.
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