Race Across AMerica : Pebble Beach’s Boyer Stretches Lead to 160 Miles

Jonathan Boyer of Pebble Beach, as of 9:07 p.m. PDT, was within 220 miles of the Atlantic City, N.J., Boardwalk and the $5,000 first prize money of the fourth Race Across AMerica which started at the Huntington Beach Pier.

Boyer, averaging 341 miles and just two hours of sleep a day, is 160 miles ahead of Michael Secrest, of Flint, Mich. In third place is Michael Shermer of Los Angeles, 224 miles behind.

Race officials expect Boyer to finish between 9 and 3 p.m. PDT today. That would break the RAAM record of 9 days 13 hours and 13 minutes set by Peter Penseyres in 1984.

Shelby Hayden-Clifton of Greensboro, N.C., is leading the women’s division and is fourth overall, 331 miles behind. But Susan Nortoangelo of St. Louis is just 37 miles behind Hayden-Clifton. Nortoangelo is fifth overall.

Filling out the top 10 contenders are: Kye Waltermier, 400 miles back. Elaine Mariolle, 423 miles back. Steve Kruger, 463 miles back. Rob Kish, 467 miles back. Michael Trail, 478 miles back.