Eclectic foursome hopes to break record, crossing America nonstop by bike in six days and nights with sponsorship from Odwalla

Half Moon Bay, Calif., June 23, 2009 –– This week, an artfully blended mix of personality and passions is peddling across the country in the world’s longest time trial race known as the Race Across America (RAAM). Odwalla is sponsoring an eclectic group of individuals – led by big-wave surfer Laird Hamilton and appropriately named “Team Surfing USA” – and providing race enthusiasts with video and online updates throughout the nearly week-long event.

Hamilton, widely acknowledged as the world’s greatest big-wave surfer, is joined by the following teammates in hopes to set a new record for the cross-continent cycling marathon:

• Don Wildman, the 76-year-old founder of Bally Total Fitness and an avid paddle boarder, biker, swimmer and runner
• Tim Commerford, bassist and founding member of the music group “Rage Against the Machine” and an obsessive mountain biker (he even thanks his bikes in his liner notes)
• Jason Winn, a fitness enthusiast, businessman and former college football player who completed his first “Ironman” triathlon at age 23

“I’m so grateful for Odwalla’s support of our team, which is riding to raise money for autism research, autism, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and Cystic Fibrosis,” Hamilton said. “But beyond the causes we’re riding for, we also want to call attention to Odwalla’s longstanding – more – support of activities that contribute to a healthier lifestyle and a more beautiful environment for millions of people every day.”

Reflective of its name, the team began and will end its journey with stand-up paddle surfing events on each coast to help raise additional awareness and funds for the team’s charities. RAAM kicked off in Oceanside, Calif. and concludes in Annapolis, Md., where the team will stay on their bikes and pedal to Liberty Park, NJ. From there, they will hop back on their boards and paddle to the Statue of Liberty. Odwalla juices, smoothies and nourishing food bars are fueling the team along its way as they cover nearly 3,500 miles by land and sea.

“Team Surfing USA comprises four incredible athletes – a big-wave surfer, a musician, a fitness business pioneer, and a triathlete – all interested in making a difference,” said Chris Brandt, Odwalla Vice President of Marketing. “The fact that they’re mixing in a stand-up paddle surfing element at the beginning and end of the race is pretty impressive and Odwalla is proud to be fueling their coast-to-coast adventure.”

Updates on the team’s progress, including videos and photos, are available at Odwalla’s Web site (http://www.odwalla.com/), Facebook page and Twitter account (@odwalla). You also can follow the race at www.surfermag.com.

About the Race Across America (RAAM)

The Race Across America, known as the “world’s toughest bicycle race,” will set over 250 competitors on a 3,000-mile route stretching from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland. Athletes race continuously day and night, on their own power or sharing the challenge with a team, and a crew of 8 -15 people following in support cars with food and supplies for the race. These courageous adventurers brave heat, wind, thunderstorms, altitude, the dark of night, fatigue, and sleep deprivation, cross two major mountain ranges, and raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity. For additional information, see http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/.

About Odwalla

Odwalla, Inc., the nation‘s leading natural health beverage company, delivers nourishment coast

For more RAAM results, check out: http://www.thehoneyline.com/buzz/race-across-america