George Thomas and Candace Koska Join the RAAM Team

George Thomas and Candace Koska Join the RAAM Team
GEORGE THOMAS began ultra-endurance racing in 1984 and, after 25 years of
racing, he has started and finished RAAM 6 times in different divisions. In 1993
he placed 1st in the 4-person men's team division, in 1994 5th in the 4-person
men's team, 1995 8th in the solo division, 2000 and 2002 mixed tandem, 2004 1st
place and a RAAM record in the 2-person mixed team division.
George has
numerous top 3 placings in solo, tandem and relay divisions of multiple RAAM
Qualifier and 24-hour races.
A resident of Hood River, Oregon, George has overcome substantial health
challenges to continue riding in long distance races such as Race Across
America. George wanted to challenge himself physically and emotionally after a
car accident left him with life-threatening seizures.
When he is not on his
bike or working at
Providence Healthcare,
George travels the
U.S.
speaking
to
various organizations.
In 2002, he published
"Going the Distance",
co-authored with Team
VeloWEAR
media
person and Corvallis
Gazette-Times sports
editor, Jeff Welsch.
The book chronicles
George’s
successful
1995 solo RAAM. Going the Distance, one of our most popular books, can be
purchased through the RAAM Store. [insert link]
With Terri Gooch, wife and business partners, George directs numerous races
and cycling events, including the Race Across Oregon, Hill Country 600, Ring of
Fire and Deschutes River Valley Time Trial.
If you were fortunate enough to be at this year’s RAAM, we’re sure you saw
George – he was everywhere. George and Tom Letsinger (Team RAO) finished
1st in the Race Across the West (RAW), establishing the 2-person men's team
and overall records. After a quick rest in Taos, George and Sandy Whittlesey,
his RAW crew chief and UMCA RQ Chair, served as RAAM officials from Taos to
Annapolis, and finished up by MC’ing the RAAM finish line banquets.
George will be working with us on our Seminars, as well as our new UltraEndurance Cycling Camp. And, of course, he’ll be everywhere again at the 2010
Race.
Back in the Columbia River Gorge, George promotes an active and healthy
lifestyle for all. For more information on Race Across Oregon, as well as
George’s other events, visit: www.raceacrossoregon.com
CANDACE KOSKA has been in and
around sports for most of her life. You
may remember Candace as a member
of the Media Crew during this year’s
Race. She joins us now to help develop
the Race Across the West (RAW). She
will be involved in recruiting racers,
sales and marketing, logistics, planning,
finish line community and business and
race management.
Originally from Southern California,
Candace called Hawaii, Minnesota and
New Jersey home before finding her
way to Colorado. A life-long athlete, she
has competed in elite level gymnastics
through college and now enjoys
participating in cycling, triathlon and
running events across the country. Candace has completed 11 (soon to be 12)
marathons and 4 Ironman triathlons. The first thing Candace did after returning
home from this year’s RAAM was ride back-to-back double centuries. That’s
passion – we love it!
Candace brings over 15 years of experience in business development, sales and
marketing and project management to RAAM. She most recently served as Vice
President of Marketing and Communication for Freedom2, Inc., a development
stage biotech company. Her experience also includes several years of sales and
marketing experience in the fitness and sports industries including working with
The Wellbridge Company, UCLA Football and the Jeep Eagle Aloha Bowl.
Candace completed an extensive executive management program at UCLA’s
Anderson School of Business and is a graduate of the University of California,
Santa Barbara and Villanova University. She is also a certified Project
Management Professional.
Candace’s excitement about RAW and RAAM is clearly evident and she looks
forward to being an integral member of the RAAM family.
George and Candace both bring that rare combination of personality and
experience to the RAAM Team. People love to be around these two. The
passion and excitement are contagious. Welcome aboard!