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IRONMAN FOUNDATION AMBASSADORS

Overview

The IRONMAN Foundation Ambassadors are a group of triathletes who continually strive for positive change in IRONMAN race communities through service projects, fundraising initiatives, and athletic goodwill. These athletes exemplify the IRONMAN Foundation's mission of service through sport and commitment to community. This group supports the IRONMAN Foundation's mission and staff by serving as a point of contact to current and potential IRONMAN Foundation Athletes. In return, ambassadors receive special team benefits and goodwill knowing they leave their IRONMAN legacy behind long after race day!

Become a 2024 TEAM IMF Ambassador

The IRONMAN Foundation is accepting 2024 TEAM IMF Ambassador applications until Monday, December 11, 2023, 12PM EST.

APPLY HERE

IRONMAN Foundation Ambassadors are a group of volunteer triathletes who continually strive for positive change in IRONMAN race communities through service projects, fundraising initiatives, and athletic goodwill. This group supports The IRONMAN Foundation’s mission and staff by serving as a point of contact to current and potential IRONMAN Foundation Athletes. The IRONMAN Foundation asks Ambassadors to be present at races, assist with TEAM IMF athlete support, and recruit others to serve The IRONMAN Foundation mission. 

2024 TEAM IMF Ambassadors will be chosen based on their fulfillment of the position's key requirements:

  • Diversity
  • Location of main residence
  • Minimum of 1-year prior TEAM IMF experience
  • Minimum of 1 x IRONMAN and/or 2 x IRONMAN 70.3 race experience
  • Proven historical fundraising experience
  • Ability to communicate at all times in a welcoming and inclusive manner.

All compliant 2024 TEAM IMF Ambassadors will receive:

  • Bio profile highlight on the IRONMAN Foundation website.
  • Profile highlight in TEAM IMF Monthly Newsletter.
  • 1 entry for a 2024 IRONMAN event on the current IMF event calendar OR 2 x entry for 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 events on the current IMF event calendar.
  • Discounted entry for the 2024 IRONMAN Foundation Training Camp (May 1-5, Austin, Texas)
  • 1 Free full TEAM IMF kit
  • An IRONMAN Foundation shirt
  • An IRONMAN Foundation hat
  • Exclusive IRONMAN Foundation Ambassador apparel
  • Special high value product as supplied by the IRONMAN Foundation supporters (TBA)
  • Special event passes/discounts as they apply during the year (TBA)

Required duties from each TEAM IMF Ambassador:

  • Fundraising requirement: $2,500
    • 50% due by 4/1/24
    • 100% due by 6/1/24
  • Recruit one new TEAM IMF athlete in 2024 (New TEAM IMF athlete must register for a 2024 or 2025 event by 12/1)
  • Take lead for a minimum of two IRONMAN events for TEAM IMF athletes.
    • Host virtual Q&A 8 weeks out for TEAM IMF athletes registered for that event.
    • Host an additional meet up 2 weeks out for TEAM IMF athletes registered for that event.
    • Organize a meet up at event prior/post-race for TEAM IMF.
    • Be available to answer questions from event athletes via email in a timely manner (2 business days).
  • Attend a minimum of 75% of TEAM IMF engagement calls/online webinars.
  • Attend a minimum of 80% of TEAM IMF Ambassador calls (1 / month – will be scheduled on a regular basis based on group availability: doodle poll will be sent to confirm best day/time option)
  • Provide one short blog post ranging in the topic areas of fundraising and training (topics will be confirmed by IMF staff prior to production and publication)
  • Must wear TEAM IMF issued kit and apparel when attending and racing at 2024 IRONMAN events.
  • Encouraged to wear TEAM IMF issued kit and apparel when attending all 2024 multisport events.
  • Re-share and post IMF information on the TEAM IMF Ambassador’s social media as it relates to the promotion of IMF events, fundraising, and general public awareness.
  • Be regional mentor for new TEAM IMF athletes as designated by staff (aka answer emails/questions for those new member).
  • Actively participate onsite at events/races when IMF is present and engaged.
  • All other minor duties delegated by the IMF Staff during the 2024 year.

You can apply for the 2024 TEAM IMF Ambassador position by filling out this FORM. Applications will be accepted until Monday, December 11, 2023 - 12:00 pm EST. 

If you are currently a 2023 TEAM IMF Ambassador, you will still need to reapply for the 2024 TEAM Ambassador position.

The 2024 TEAM IMF Ambassadors directly support the IRONMAN Foundation's mission and advancement as servant leaders for TEAM IMF athletes. The TEAM IMF Ambassadors play a key role in the overall success of the IRONMAN Foundation and lay the groundwork for important future growth. 

Meet Our
2023 TEAM IMF Age Group
Ambassadors

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Sergio Bustamante

Texas
I started in March of 2022 after finishing the Austin half-marathon. I was planning on running the Chicago marathon but did not get the lottery. While I was considering what race to do, one of my mentors challenged me to do an Ironman 70.3. I found an amazing coach in Austin and got started in this awesome sport.
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Erin Byrge

North Carolina
At age 10, my son was learning to love to run and wanted to participate in a 5k. I did not think that I should put my 10-year old into a 5k by himself, so we signed up together. Even though I was not in the greatest shape, I put the Couch to 5k app on my phone and started training. My first 5k was April 10, 2011, I was slow, but I "could" run. That year I did a few more 5k’s “with” my son (he beat me every time.) I was slowly becoming a runner. I was also taking a spinning class that was taught by an instructor that had done a local tri. She knew that I was doing 5k’s and told me I should do triathlons. The seed was planted. In 2012, as I set yet another New Year’s Resolution to lose weight, I added that I would complete a local triathlon that year. So, I did… I completed 7 that year: 1 indoor, 5 sprints, and an Olympic distance.
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Peter Crescenti

Georgia
Coming soon...
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Woody Freese

Arizona
Coming soon...
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Bryan Harris

Texas
Started with a Sprint distance in 2011. Found the sport is a great outlet for my competitive nature.
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Justin Herman

Arizona
Coming soon...
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Michael Kane

Kentucky
Coming soon....
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Thomas Kotterer

North Carolina
The Ironman Foundation provided an opportunity for me to race in my first event in Augusta, GA in 2021, and have been a team member ever since.
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Arthur Leiz

New York
I have always been a runner and after running the NYC marathon in 2017 i was looking for a new challenge. I heard about this guy at work who was raced in Kona as part of TEAM IMF. After talking to him, I decided I was going to do give it a shot. Within a week of the marathon I was in the pool swimming and the rest is history.
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Jason Massie

Georgia
Around 1995 a friend encouraged me to do a sprint tri with him in an Arkansas State Park. I was already a runner who had done several marathons, so I trained a little in a small apartment pool and had a 1984 Bianchi road bike from college. During the event, I nearly died after learning how far I would have to swim. But I managed to finish. I enjoyed the bike but went very slow with my shoe cages and shifting on the down tube. When I got to the run, I felt like a King and passed many of my friends on the way to the finish line. At that point, I vowed not to do another until I learned to swim better. So my next venture into tri training wasn't until around 2002. The rest is history!
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Angela Paternostro-Pfister

New Jersey
Coming soon...
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Christine Valdes

Florida
Racing is a passion of mine. I love the journey and the people I meet along the way. Many of whom will be lifelong friends. I love the process of training and seeing how it plays out on race day. And I love pushing the limits of what the human body is capable of.Many who I know have suffered illness, addiction, depression, abuse, and many other life challenges. The one common denominator I see is how endurance sport changes a person. It changes lives. It has changed my life. I suffered from severe depression in my 30's, and I had major self-confidence issues in my 20's and 30's. I used endurance running as a healthy alternative, and a way to cope. I encountered the sport of Triathlon in my early 40s, and became involved in the foundation at age 44, finding a way to give back to a bigger cause, ultimately making racing more meaningful. In both life and endurance sports, things take time, passion, and persistence. Endurance sports are not just a physical challenge, but one that challenges your dedication, will and aspirations. They have the incredible ability to change your lifestyle, mindset, and character. And most importantly, you are shown that YOU have the power to make any dream a reality. Life is full of tests, but you are the one who decides how to handle it. My desire as an Ambassador is to continue to give back in big ways to a community that does so much good for the world and for people, and has given me so much.
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Tyler Vance

Texas
While I was still in the Marine Corps back in 2004, my next door neighbor asked me if I wanted to do a local triathlon, to which I responded "absolutely not". He then explained that it was a "sprint" triathlon and not a full IRONMAN. At that point, I was a little more interested! So I borrowed a bike from a fellow Marine and I raced my first triathlon. At that point I was hooked and began competing in sprint and Olympic distance races. After I left the Marines, triathlon is what kept me in shape and kept me motivated to exercise. Finally in 2019, I decided I wanted to do a 70.3 and signed up for 70.3 Waco. In 2020 I completed my first full IRONMAN (Florida) after having trained throughout the covid lockdowns. I have since completed 6 full IRONMAN race and several more 70.3's.
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Craig VanEss

Michigan
I started competing in triathlons 30 years ago. I was leading a sedentary life and was very unhealthy. I started running a bit at that time, and my brother, who had been competing in triathlons for a few years, suggested that I tri a tri. When I mentioned to my then girlfriend that I was considering it, she laughed at me as if there was no way I could do it. That was all the motivation I needed. I competed in my first tri that year, and when I crossed the finish line I was hooked.
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Steve Wilson

New York
I was 250 pounds in 2006 and heading down a very unhealthy path. My cousin convinced me to sign up for the 2007 IRONMAN Lake Placid. He said he would help me cross in 16 hours. I lost 46 pounds during the year and completed the race in 15:56.
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Elizabeth Wood

Pennsylvania
I was an avid runner and cyclist, having completed a couple of marathons and 100 mile rides. I decided to “put it all together“ with a women’s only sprint triathlon in 2009, and I never looked back! Now I'm a 5x IRONMAN and 8x IM 70.3 finisher

Are you Ready to RACE FOR MORE?

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TEAM IMF

The IRONMAN Foundation provides an inspiring athlete experience while bolstering community giveback. TEAM IMF is a network of IRONMAN Athletes dedicated to creating positive, tangible change in race communities and leaving their IRONMAN legacy behind long after race day.

TEAM IMF athletes Race For More by raising funds for The IRONMAN Foundation Community Fund. In return, they receive special goods and services, including a complimentary IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon entry, TEAM IMF race kit, invitations to exclusive in-person and virtual events, access to a network of other IRONMAN Foundation Athletes, and more.

In 2022, more than 400 athletes across 47 events raced in support of TEAM IMF. It is an inclusive and diverse team comprised of every type of athlete from first timers to IRONMAN Legacy athletes. 

Learn more

Contact Us

The IRONMAN Foundation
3407 W Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Suite 100
Tampa FL, 33607

813-868-5940

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