DAVID JONES EARNS IAN SANDBACH INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
Boulder, CO – Race Across America, RAAM, Executive Race Director, Terry Zmrhal is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2008 Ian Sandbach Award which is presented to the most inspirational rider in the Race Across America. This year, the award goes to David Jones, who at age 61, completed his second consecutive RAAM and also earns another place in the record books as RAAM’s oldest solo male finisher.
Before the race began, Jones requested that he be able to start with the men’s solo division riders aged 25-59 instead of a day earlier in his own age classification. The request was granted with the stipulation that Jones must now finish within the shorter time limit. Jones responded by finishing 18 hours faster than the youngest solo finisher.
Beyond the obvious mental and physical attributes that David Jones displayed during his third solo RAAM campaign, it was his gracious and generous demeanor that marked his presence in RAAM 2008. Often reflective, he focused mainly on his crew and other racers and at all times demonstrated a genuine concern and interest in all participants.
In his three RAAM attempts Jones has always embodied the spirit of RAAM. Even literally being blown off the course 1,300 miles into RAAM 2006, did not deter this aerospace engineer from Canoga Park, Calif., from getting back in the saddle in 2007 and setting a record in the men’s solo 60 + division. In 2008, wearing a specially made jersey adorned with all the names of his crew, David Jones crossed the finish line almost a full day ahead of his 2007 pace.
In Annapolis, MD, while waiting for another team to finish, RAAM’s Rick Boethling jokingly said to Mr. Jones, ” I didn’t know whether to congratulate you or be upset at you because it might mean that I will have to crew again for my Dad (Fred Boethling, previous oldest male solo finisher). Jones’ response was quick and simple, “If Fred is going to race again I want to volunteer for his crew”.
When informed of being awarded the Ian Sandbach Inspirational Award, Jones offered his typical response, “That’s nice”.
