IMF Behind The Scenes: IMCHOO
The city of Chattanooga is a great host to our athletes as they tackle the 140.6 (+4) at IM CHOO. The swim is fast, the run is hilly, and the volunteers/spectators are some of the best on the circuit. The IRONMAN Foundation had an amazing week supporting 300 of our Foundation Athletes as they chased their IRONMAN dreams.
We had 3 types of Foundation Athletes at IRONMAN Chattanooga:
- Community Fund Entry – Athletes purchased this entry at registration and a portion of their entry was donation made directly to The IRONMAN Foundation.
- TEAM IMF Teammates – Athletes who committed to fundraise for The IRONMAN Foundation and, in return, received guaranteed race entry into IRONMAN Chattanooga.
- IMF/Newton Running Ambassadors – Athletes who champion service through sport and do it all in Newton Running Shoes.
Together, we provided OVER $80,000 in grant funding back into charitable organizations within the community that supports IMCHOO. This is part of an over $155,000 TOTAL giveback since 2014!
Check out exclusive Behind-The-Scenes Pictures of our staff and athletes throughout race week – Hope you can join us in 2016!
![IMG_6901](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_6901-1024x1024.jpg)
Race day views on the run course at IMCHOO.
THURSDAY – 72 HOURS UNTIL RACE DAY:
Chattanooga was lucky enough to host over 300 IRONMAN Foundation Athletes last week, with many of those being a part of our IRONMAN Foundation-Newton Running Ambassador Triathlon Team, and our TEAM IMF Fundraising Team. The great thing about these guys is not only do they dedicate hours & hours each week to IRONMAN Training, but they have a passion for giving back to their race communities through service and fundraising. Thursday morning, we had about 30 IRONMAN Foundation Athletes dedicate their morning to perform a service project at The Chattanooga Area Food Bank, which feeds over 50,000 families each week. Not only did they come out and lend a hand for a few hours…they raised over $26,000 to donate to the Food Bank as well!
![CHATT_FoodBank](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/CHATT_FoodBank-1024x683.jpg)
IRONMAN Foundation Athletes presenting The Chattanooga Area Food Bank with a $26,845 donation! $1 feeds 4 people, so if we do the math correctly…we’re helping to feed over 100,000 individuals with this donation.
![Service Project 5](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Service-Project-5-1024x683.jpg)
Foundation Athletes preparing fruit for a Elementary School Food Demonstration the next day. The Food Bank loves educating kids on how healthy eating can also be fun.
![Service Project 7](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Service-Project-7-1024x683.jpg)
Foundation Athletes preparing emergency food boxes for needy families in the Chattanooga Area.
![Service Project 2](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Service-Project-2-1024x683.jpg)
The Chattanooga Food Bank is having their yearly audit next week…which means they put our athletes to work cleaning up their huge food storage facility!
FRIDAY: 48 HOURS UNTIL RACE DAY
Rain seems to follow the IMF Staff wherever we go…we had a few wet & soggy days out at IRONMAN Village in Chattanooga. But, that didn’t stop us from having a blast out there getting to know Foundation Athletes & our awesome volunteers. Friday was a big day for The IRONMAN Foundation- our TEAM IMF Athletes got together for a pre-race luncheon to celebrate their fundraising success and learn some tips & tricks for race day. Luckily, the rain let up for the Athlete Welcome Ceremony on Friday evening where we presented a $10,000 to SPARC, a chapter of DSUSA, which they will use to purchase equipment to allow their athletes to race in handcycling & wheelchair racing competitions. The IRONMAN Foundation also presented a check to the Chattanooga Mayor for $45,000 that will be distributed to non-profit initiatives in Chattanooga.
![IMG_6908](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_6908-1024x768.jpg)
IMF Staff members Whitney & Julianne doing all they can to stay dry at Expo. It was a rainy week out there!
![TEAM IMF Luncheon Group](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/TEAM-IMF-Luncheon-Group-1024x683.jpg)
Our amazing TEAM IMF Athletes fundraised almost $90.000 in support of our IRONMAN race communities. It was so great to meet them at the TEAM IMF Luncheon.
![IMG_9921](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_9921-1024x683.jpg)
You couldn’t miss the IRONMAN Foundation flag at the Athlete Welcome Ceremony on Friday Evening.
![IMG_6682](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_6682-1024x683.jpg)
The IRONMAN Foundation provided over $55,000 to support non-profit initiatives & charitable organizations within the IRONMAN Chattanooga race community.
![IMG_6677](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_6677-1024x768.jpg)
The IRONMAN Foundation was thrilled to provide a $10,000 grant to SPARC, an amazing organization that allows athletes with disabilities to compete in wheelchair racing and handcycling.
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS
One of The IRONMAN Foundation’s “Pass-It-Forward” Initiatives was having athletes write Thank You notes to IRONMAN Volunteers that were then passed out on race day. This was such a great way for the athletes to show appreciation for our IRONMAN Volunteers that are out there all day supporting the athletes. Without their incredible support, race day would not happen!
![IMG_6775](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_6775-e1443632854218-1024x764.jpg)
Passing out Volunteer Thank You Cards on the run course.
![IMG_6790](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_6790-1024x768.jpg)
Bike Check-Out Volunteers Loved the Thank You Cards.
![IMG_6781](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_6781-1024x768.jpg)
Info Booth Volunteers posing for a great picture with the Thank You Cards they received.
![IMG_6788](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_6788-e1443632928557-1024x720.jpg)
The women’s change tent volunteer captain was happy to receive the sweet notes of appreciation after a long day.
SUNDAY: RACE DAY!
![IMG_9952](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_9952-1024x683.jpg)
Our IRONMAN Foundation Athletes are ready to rock & roll on race day morning!
![IMG_6910](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_6910-1024x768.jpg)
Now that is A LOT of IRONMAN gear.
![IMG_9987](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_9987-e1443632166496-1024x649.jpg)
TEAM IMF Athlete Kristi Owen looking great after a fast swim.
![IMG_0078](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_0078-e1443632246473-1024x810.jpg)
TEAM IMF Athlete Scott Schiavonne is ready to take on the hilly 116 mile bike course.
![IMG_6777](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_6777-e1443632318742-1024x730.jpg)
All of our Foundation Athletes looked AMAZING in their custom (spandex) Tri Kits!
![IMG_0112](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_0112-e1443632382725-1024x714.jpg)
IMF/NR Ambassador Tri Team Athlete Jonathan Tay is still feeling great on the marathon portion of IRONMAN Chattanooga.
![IMG_0093](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_0093-1024x683.jpg)
TEAM IMF Athlete Cole Giovannetti needed a high-five energy boost.
![IMG_0099](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_0099-e1443632444613-1024x576.jpg)
IMF/NR Ambassador Athlete Jason Massie is PUMPED! He’s about to become an IRONMAN!
![IMG_6810](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_6810-e1443632520279-1024x577.jpg)
TEAM IMF Athlete David Jones had the special honor of getting “medalled” by his wife…what a treat!
![IMG_0253](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_0253-683x1024.jpg)
No IRONMAN is complete with a proposal…even better, it was a TEAM IMF Proposal!
![IMG_0211](https://ironmanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_0211-e1443632703623-1024x837.jpg)
Fundraising Manager Whitney Tizzano was able to medal one of her TEAM IMF Athletes after he became an IRONMAN.