Sad news from RAAM: first-ever fatality

If your local media is gearing up for that other multi-day long race that goes across a country,
they might have picked up this news. Story from the Detroit Free Press.

Birmingham native dies in cycling race

June 19, 2003

Birmingham (MI) native Brett Malin died while competing in the Insight Race Across America when he
was involved in an accident with an 18-wheel tractor trailer in western New Mexico late Tuesday. He
was 30. Malin, of Vail, Colo., was ranked No. 1 in expert mountain bike racing by the National Off
Road Bicycle Association. He was a member of Team Vail-Go Fast, which was competing in the
four-person men's team division. Malin's team won the Race Across America in 2001. Jim Pitre, Race
Across America director, was en route to the accident site Wednesday. He said in a statement: "This
is a tragedy of the highest order. RAAM sends our deepest condolences to the family of this young
man. Every care is brought to bear to keep racers as safe as possible during RAAM." Pitre added that
the 2,922-mile race would continue. The death is the first in the 21-year history of the race, which
began Sunday in San Diego. The race, sponsored by the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association, runs
through 14 states and is scheduled to end Tuesday in Atlantic City, N.J. The race does not include
Michigan. Shawn Menges, the undersheriff for Catron County, N.M., said the accident occurred at
11:55 p.m. at mile-marker 40 on U.S. 60. "The truck driver attempted to avoid the collision and in
doing so struck a guard rail," Menges said. "That guard rail was destroyed from about 40 to 50
feet." Race coordinator Bill Peschka said Malin's father and brother were part of his support team
for the race and were at the scene. Menges said the truck driver was not hurt. Malin was pronounced
dead at the scene and transported to the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator in
Albuquerque, N.M. The family's parish, Holy Name Catholic Church in Birmingham, was notified....

http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/ lists the arrangements, in Clawson MI next Thursday and Friday.

--Karen M. a RAAM Official Observer recruiter in the mid-80's