The IRONMAN Foundation Celebrates 20th Anniversary
– Milestone commemorates numerous achievements made across two decades, including monumental partnerships and millions raised for race communities
– The IRONMAN Foundation kicks off anniversary year with Team IMF Webinar hosted by Ambassador Captain and IRONMAN Hall of Fame member, Mike Reilly
TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 17, 2023) – This month, The IRONMAN Foundation, whose mission is to create positive, tangible change in IRONMAN® and Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series race communities through grant funding and volunteerism, kicks off the celebration of its 20th anniversary of service.
Since its inception in 2003, The IRONMAN Foundation, in partnership with The IRONMAN Group, has provided more than $55 million in charitable giveback across all programs in their portfolio. Last year alone, the brand distributed more than $2 million to 1,200 organizations worldwide, and over the past two decades, The IRONMAN Foundation has partnered with over 10,000 local nonprofit organizations across more than 75 communities to create positive impact in the areas they serve.
“As we reflect on our anniversary year, we are proud to recognize the immense and continued growth of The IRONMAN Foundation, which is a direct result of our supportive community, collaborative partners, and ambassadors,” said Audra Tassone-Indeck, Executive Director of The IRONMAN Foundation. “We are truly grateful for the community of volunteers and athletes that join us to empower and inspire the next generation of triathletes, runners, coaches, mentors, and change-makers. As we look back on our 20 years of service, we are honored to have added thousands of volunteers and athletes to The IRONMAN Foundation, bringing us one step closer towards our vision of a healthy, enriched, and fulfilled life for every person.”
Over the past 20 years, The IRONMAN Foundation adopted multiple community grant programs and launched new projects that have supported athletes, families, and communities in need. This includes the IRONMAN Foundation’s diversity initiative, Race For Change™, which launched in 2020 with an initial pledge of $1 million to support programming that helps ensure equity for athletes in the sport of triathlon, and in the communities where IRONMAN athletes and first-time hopefuls live, train, and race.
In addition, The IRONMAN Foundation has developed programming for giveback organizations and grant opportunities within in the civil service, humanitarian aid, and health and wellness sectors with the goal of creating positive, tangible change in race communities. These organizations and programs include Women for Tri™, Operation Gold Star™, Rock This Town®, Bike for a Kid™, IRONAID®, Team IMF, Your Journey Your Cause®, and funding for community grant programs, among other meaningful initiatives.
“Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to continue building upon the incredible programs we have set in place while also further increasing our footprint within the communities, organizations and athletes we serve,” said Audra Tassone-Indeck.
During this monumental year, The IRONMAN Foundation is ready to continue igniting positive impact across communities. Kicking off 2023, The IRONMAN Foundation is planning to implement giveback programming at a variety of The IRONMAN Group’s endurance events including offering swim lessons and bicycles through Race For Change and highlighting military and first responders through the Operation Gold Star program. Further, The IRONMAN Foundation is looking to take 30 women to race at the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship® triathlon in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i, with the goal of strengthening the presence of women in the triathlon community.
Additionally, The IRONMAN Foundation will welcome legendary announcer and renowned “Voice of IRONMAN”, Mike Reilly, to captain Team IMF and continue his journey with the brand by taking part in exclusive TEAM IMF webinars and gatherings, continuing to share the mission and work of The IRONMAN Foundation and more. As his first initiative as ambassador team captain, Mike will host a webinar on Thursday, February 23at 8:00 p.m. EST to discuss upcoming plans for Team IMF in 2023, benefits for joining the program, and priority service projects, among other giveback moments. For additional information, attendees can learn more about the webinar and RSVP at www.ironmanfoundation.org/team-imf.
For more information on The IRONMAN Foundation and upcoming events, visit www.ironmanfoundation.org.
###
About The IRONMAN Foundation
The IRONMAN Foundation creates positive, tangible change in IRONMAN race communities by engaging athletes and volunteers to participate in programs that demonstrate service through sport and commitment to community. Since 2003, over $55,000,000 has been provided through IRONMAN charitable giveback programs, including the IRONMAN Foundation, to more than 10,000 local, regional, national, and global nonprofit initiatives. Through these partnerships, IRONMAN® and Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series participants are powerfully linked to the community and together help leave a positive legacy behind in race communities long after event day. For more information on IRONMAN Foundation programs, including Team IMF, Community Fund, Race For ChangeTM, Rock This Town®, and Your Journey Your Cause, visit www.ironmanfoundation.org.
About IRONMAN DE&I Efforts
IRONMAN has and continues to provide a welcoming platform and environment for all, becoming synonymous with monumental achievement by athletes from around the world, proving that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE®. Over IRONMAN’s 40-plus year history, the brand and its series of events have worked with and celebrated athletes of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, from all races, religions, nationalities, and sexual orientations. Since the very first years, IRONMAN has represented breaking barriers and redefining what is possible. This legacy continues as athletes and the greater IRONMAN community have utilized the platform as a vehicle to challenge and redefine society views. The very first trailblazing Special Team of Dick and Rick Hoyt racing alongside other athletes was a pinnacle moment for what was to come. Their determination and fortitude has continued with athletes like John MacLean, Jim MacLaren, David Bailey, Carlos Moleda, Jim Howley, Scott Rigsby, Sarah Reinertsen, Rudy Tolson-Garcia, Ricky James, Turia Pitt, Minda Dentler, Team Agar, the Pease Brothers, Alex Zanardi, Rajesh Durbal, Team Liza, Lauren Parker, Roderick Sewell, and most recently Chris Nikic and Sam Holness, among so many others. These athletes and their achievements through IRONMAN have established non-profits and long-standing partnerships like the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which continues to do incredible work. The vastness of the athlete community, partners, and the openness that exists with its events is what makes IRONMAN special and is core to what the brand represents. Continuing the belief and importance of inclusivity, IRONMAN is committed to Women For Tri and Race For Change while working on additional avenues to further increase diversity, equity, and inclusion.
About The IRONMAN Group
The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, IRONKIDS®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf®, UTMB® World Series events including the Canyons Endurance Runs™, Tarawera Ultra and Ultra-Trail Australia™, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events including Haute Route®, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.
About Advance
Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education, and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, 1010data, and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 17,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Discovery, and Reddit. For more information, visit www.advance.com.