Casey Patterson Is First Woman to Finish Race Across America
WASHINGTON — Casey Patterson, a 43-year-old mother of three from Topanga, rode her bicycle to the Washington Monument Thursday morning to win the women’s portion of the Race Across America, which started in San Francisco.
Patterson was trailed by an eight-person crew as she completed the 3,117-mile course at 11:30 a.m. EDT, registering a final time of 11 days 21 hours 15 minutes.
She was the first woman to finish after 15 men crossed the line about 100 yards from the base of the monument.
Winner Mike Secrest of Flint, Mich., arrived at the finish line at 1:30 a.m. EDT Tuesday. Seven women and 28 men left the Golden Gate Bridge June 20.
Cheryl Marek of Seattle, Wash., was in second place among the women and expected to complete the course late Thursday night. Marie Costellic of Mount Pleasant, Pa., was third and expected to finish late today. The other four women dropped out of the race along the way.
Patterson quit last year’s race in Colorado.
No cash awards are given for the race, only trophies. “She wins the prestige, honor and personal satisfaction of being the first woman to finish the Race Across America,†a race spokesman said. “No money.â€
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