Race Across AMerica : Secrest Awakes to Find Himself in Second Place, Behind Boyer

As the 3,120.2-mile Race Across AMerica moved into its fifth day on Thursday, Michael Secrest of Flint, Mich., was overtaken by Pebble Beach’s Jonathan Boyer.

Boyer took the lead as he passed through Morrilton, Ark., at 9:32 p.m. (PST), while Secrest stopped to sleep for about two hours. Secrest awoke soon after, and as of Thursday evening, he trails the new leader by about six minutes, or approximately one mile.

Michael Shermer of Hollywood, retained his hold on third place in the race, which began at the Huntington Beach Pier Sunday. He passed through Charleston, Ark., at 8:19 p.m.

The leader in the women’s category, Shelby Haden-Clifton, is still in fourth place overall. At 6:34 p.m., she rode through Dustin, Okla. Susan Notorangelo, who is currently the second fastest of three women entered in the race, moved up a place since Wednesday into sixth, passing through Dustin at 8:34. p.m.

The most serious casualty of the race occurred early Thursday morning. As Wayne Phillips was riding just east of Tucumcarie, N.M., at 3:45 a.m., he was struck by a hit-and-run motorist. At last report, Phillips was in critical but stable condition. He has several broken bones, but is said to be in good spirits.

Phillips is the fifth rider to drop out of the race. He is being treated in the same Texas hospital as Lon Haldeman, winner of the race in 1982 and ‘83, who was forced to withdraw on Wednesday because of the flu. With three other riders having dropped out Tuesday, that leaves only 20 of the original 25 bicyclists remaining.