ULTRACYCLING DREAMS. From RAAM to RAP and from RAP to RAAM

Probably everyone who has regularly participated in sports events has their own sports dreams. These are usually dreams that match their current abilities. Things that seem distant and almost impossible to achieve. Sometimes, dreams change. We get to know our abilities better, overcome new barriers, reach higher, go further, run longer. Along with us, our sports dreams grow, and we start looking for ways to achieve them. They no longer seem so impossible in terms of our body's capabilities. After all, we have already achieved so much! What seems normal to us today thanks to grueling training was impossible and abstract for us a few years ago.

Race Around Poland has already seen the realization of ultracyclists' sports dreams. This is where Marek Rupiński and Krzysztof Fechner qualified for the Race Across America (RAAM) – 4,800 km/12 days. They followed in the footsteps of Remigiusz Siudziński, the first Pole to complete RAAM solo within the time limit, and they conquered America! In 2023, Marek Rupiński took second place in the RAAM Open category and first in his category, winning the hearts of Americans and adding the "Rookie of the Year" award to his collection. RAP and then RAAM became a springboard for Marek's dazzling international career, who in 2024 won the World UltraCycling Association Cup. Krzysztof Fechner also did not rest on his laurels and added the completion of Race Across India and the Baltic-Bieszczady Tour 1008 km on a city bike to his impressive RAAM achievement.

Photo: Damian Ługowski (RAP 2024, Aneta Lamik)

This time, Race Around Poland 2025 has the opportunity to combine the dreams of two titled ultracyclists from two different continents:

Aneta Lamik – The First Polish Woman on RAAM

The current World Champion of WUCA in the Solo Unsupported -50 category and the 2023 Vice World Champion in the Solo Supported -50 category, Aneta Lamik, would like to use the qualification obtained during RAP. This athlete, who in addition to WUCA titles in 2024 also became the Polish Masters Champion in the K40 category and the Polish Champion in Ultracycling MPU1200 Białowieża.

Following Aneta's career closely, we are sure that if she gets the chance, she will become the first Polish woman to complete the RAAM route within the time limit. However, to fulfill this dream, money is needed. The costs associated with participation are around 200,000 PLN. These costs include, among others, an entry fee of about 4,000 dollars, a technical car and camper (rental, fuel, insurance), a team of 6-8 people (at least 2 drivers per vehicle), plane tickets, food on site, accommodation, etc. This is a significant amount and far exceeds the capabilities of most athletes who, without sponsor support, can only rely on their own funds and the generosity of fans. To realize her dream, Aneta has launched a fundraiser on zrzutka.pl. You can support this goal here: https://zrzutka.pl/8mt82v

Ingolf Micklisch – The Indestructible American from RAAM to RAP

If anyone follows the achievements of ultracyclists from across the ocean, they have surely come across the name of this friendly American of German descent. Recently, he made headlines in the context of the grueling LONGHORN 500 race, where he took first place in the men's category for the third time in a row! Additionally, in December 2024, he set a new WUCA "Highest Weekly Mileage" (HWMR) record in his age category 60-69, covering 2990.31 km in 7 days.

It's amazing that such achievements belong to a person who only started cycling in 2020 and began racing short distances in 2021! In 2023, Ingolf participated in RAAM for the first time and was forced to withdraw after covering 3,400 km due to food poisoning. Covering such a distance was still a significant achievement, as after signing up for the race, he was involved in a car accident that took him out of training for 8 months. Undeterred by this event, he started again in 2024, taking second place in his age category and 13th overall. The year 2024 also ended successfully for Ingolf in the WUCA World Cup, where he took third place, behind only such titled athletes as Marek Rupiński and Arvis Sprude.

In addition to the aforementioned Longhorn 500, in 2025 Ingolf took second place in the unsupported cyclists category in the Sebring 24 hrs, covering 434 miles, and fourth overall in the Florida 500, covering 533 miles. During the latter race, he was pushed off the road by a car, fell, broke ribs, and suffered abrasions and problems with his ankle and knee. Despite this, he finished the race without losing his high fourth place.

"I still work full-time and cycle as a hobby. Due to costs, I had to switch to unsupported cycling in 2025, but I want to show that even without a crew, you can achieve a lot in long-distance cycling," this indomitable American told us.

His dream for 2025 is to participate in the World Ultracycling Championships in the unsupported category during Race Around Poland. He also needs support and has launched a fundraiser for this purpose. You can support him here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fund-a-cyclists-dream-race-around-poland