HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK PATTINSON Today one of the most consistent - TopicsExpress

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK PATTINSON Today one of the most consistent riders to ever earn a lifetime RAAM number is celebrating another year of existence. Mark Pattinson, a 5-time RAAM starter is 45 today. The US-based British expat rocked the UltraCycling world with second-place ride in his rookie RAAM in 2008 with a steady controlled pace that had him passing early front runners late in the race. He sat out 2009, returned in 2010 and was having a good race—running as high as fifth place when he succumbed to Shermers neck in Missouri. He returned in 2011 and again surprised all by finishing second behind Christoph Strasser, posting a time of 9 days and 41 minutes, averaging 13.8mph. In a post-race interview that year he said, Im not the fastest guy, but we ran the best race we had. We made a plan and we stuck to it. That plan was for Pattinson to keep a steady, sustainable pace that he knew he could maintain, I set my target for nine days, he said, knowing better than to challenge those who go out from the start with a blazing pace, Well I dont have that blazing pace to begin with. So thats not really an option! he said with a laugh. He backed up that performance in 2013 finishing fourth in 9 days, 6 hours, 59 minutes with an average speed of 13.42 mph. This year he set out with a goal of a sub-9-day finish, but fell painfully close with a 9 day, 2 hour and 50 minute race that earned him another second place finish. Have a great day Mark!