American Randonneur Challenge Award

[Dan Driscoll]

Fellow Randos, 

Please join me in thanking all the RBA’s that are Hosting Grand Randonnee’s next year, we have an all time 'High Water Mark' of 10 Domestic 1,200kms for 2026. 

All of these Domestic 1,200kms are currently showing up on the RUSA homepage. 

Now is be a great time to start planning your 2026 season to include a couple of these Domestic 1,200kms, and earn your first or maybe second or more.. American Randonneur Challenge Award. In 2025, 22 RUSA members earned this prestigious Award, would love to see that number grow in 2026. Plus there is a really good looking Plaque for this Award. 

Domestic Grand Randonnee attendance is a good barometer of RUSA’s health, and it’s members appetite from longer rides. 

An important stat is the number of Domestic Grand Randonnee starters per year and maybe to a much lesser degree is the number of starters in relation to the number of events held. 

2025 = 8 Events with 189 Starters = 23.6 Starters per event

2024 = 9 Events with 225 Starters = 25.0 Starters per event

2023 = 6 Events with 109 Starters = 18.2 Starters per event (PBP Year)

2022 = 8 Events with 297 Starters = 37.2 Starters per event 

2021 = 5 Events with 125 Starters = 25.0 Starters per event 

2020 = 0  RUSA Shut Down for Covid

2019 = 3 Events with 75 Starters = 25 Starters per event (PBP Year)

2018 = 7 Events with 342 Starters = 48.9 Starters per event

2017 = 4 Events with 143 Starters = 35.8 Starters per event 

2016 = 5 Events with 278 Starters = 55.6 Starters per event 

2015 = 2 Events with 100 Starters = 50.0 Starters per event (PBP Year)

2014 = 5 Events with 302 Starters = 60.4 Starters per event 

2013 = 7 Events with 289 Starters = 41.3 Starters per event

2012 = 5 Events with 228 Starters = 45.6 Starters per event 

2011 = 5 Events with 173 Starters = 34.6 Starters per event (PBP Year)

2010 = 3 Events with 152 Starters = 50.6 Starters per event 

2009 = 4 Events with 230 Starters = 57.5 Starters per event 

2008 = 3 Events with 158 Starters = 52.7 Starters per event 

2007 = PBP year when no other 1,200kms were allowed. 

For years prior to 2007 Starters are not available, only finishers. 

Sure the fewer the number of offerings the more riders per event, but in general over the years, we are seeing more starters, with more offerings geographically and calendar wise. Hoping for good numbers this year. One data point is the number of riders that ride two or more Grand Randonnees per year and how that contributes to the total starters numbers. These are the American Randonnuer Challenge Awardees….. 

DanD