San Jose’s Hogan Leading Woman in Race Across America

Seana Hogan of San Jose had a slight lead as the women riders went through the first time station on the first day of the Race Across America, which started Thursday in Irvine.

Hogan passed the first time station in Beaumont, Calif., at 8:09 p.m., 13 minutes ahead of Beth Dawson of Saratoga, Calif. Beaumont is 86 miles into the 2,909-mile race that ends in Savannah, Ga.

Bonnie Allison of Oklahoma City is in third, 48 minutes off the lead. Amy Regan of Hollis, N.H., is in fourth, 1:15 off the pace, and Debbie Turner of Mobile, Ala., is in fifth, 1:21 back. The five women riders are rookies.

The men’s division will begin at 11 a.m. today when 27 cyclists depart from the Irvine Holiday Inn. Bob Forney of Denver, the two-time defending champion, is again considered the favorite.

Departing at the same time will be two mixed-tandem teams. Two men’s tandem teams will depart at 9 a.m. Saturday; four four-man teams will leave at 9 a.m. Sunday.