Gold Star Initiative links service members with Gold Star Families to honor fallen service members The Gold Star Initiative gives veterans and active duty service members the chance to team up and honor Gold Star Families by carrying an American flag during the run portion of select IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events and presenting it to a local Gold Star Family at the finish line. This program is in partnership with wear blue: run to remember , a national nonprofit running community that honors the service and sacrifice of the American military. Through the Gold Star Initiative, IRONMAN athletes will be able to play a part in the healing process of those families who have lost a loved one in the name of freedom. Gold Star families will be provided with support to participate in the wear blue Gold Star Race program, providing them with access to training, support and entry into various running events, empowering them to process their grief and heal through running. For full details and to get involved, click HERE
More than 350 bikes distributed within 5 race communities in North America in 2018. In 2018, the IRONMAN Foundation launched Bike for a Kid in partnership with FLO Cycling. We invited athletes, as well as their families and friends, to visit the IRONMAN Foundation at five different race expos to assemble bikes for local kids in need, inspiring them to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle. The bike build takes only five minutes, includes a personal note to the child who will receive it and provides athletes and their supporters the opportunity to connect to local youth, sending them the message to “Stay strong, ride safe and believe in your dreams!” As part of race weekend, the IRONMAN Foundation and FLO Cycling delivered the bikes to kids in partnership with a local nonprofit organization, powerfully linking our athletes to the local community and leaving the IRONMAN legacy behind long after race day. In 2019, we’ll build 800 bikes in nine (9) race communities!
A program of the IRONMAN Foundation, Women For Tri has awarded more than $248,000 in grant funding. Launched in 2015, Women For Tri works to increase female participation at all levels of triathlon. The program seeks to identify and diminish primary barriers to entry, as well as encourage and empower female athletes of all levels across all race distances. The program has an online community presence of more than 50,000 female triathletes. Since inception, over $248,000 in grants have been awarded to triathlon clubs supporting female participation initiatives. Women For Tri embodies the heart and soul of what makes the sport so rewarding: testing your ability, overcoming challenges, and realizing the full depth of your potential in the most widely recognized test of endurance – triathlon. For more information, visit www.womenfortri.com .
More than 250 children benefit from swim safety and education programs supported by the IRONMAN Foundation In 2017, the IRONMAN Foundation supported swim programs in both Chattanooga, Tennessee and Hamburg, Germany. Through these initiatives, children on opposite ends of the world, were able to take part in swim lessons, learning basic techniques and water safety. Skills and lessons learned through these initiatives promoted self-confidence and independence, as well as the importance of living an active lifestyle.
The IRONMAN Foundation partners with IRONMAN 4 the Kidz Charity Trust to complete four legacy projects in Nelson Mandela Bay . The IRONMAN Foundation joined forces with the local IRONMAN 4 the Kidz Charity Trust to complete four Legacy Projects in Nelson Mandela Bay in conjunction with the 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship. The Legacy Projects included:
Multiple initiatives launched in Santa Rosa to assist with wildfire relief efforts. The IRONMAN Foundation conducted a hands-on service project with Rebuilding Together Petaluma to assist in the construction of decks that were later then affixed to tiny houses for Santa Rosa residents displaced by the Tubbs Wildfires. The service project was supported by IRONMAN partners including HOKA ONE ONE, CLIF Bar and the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. In addition to the service project, the IRONMAN Foundation hosted a community 5k, where proceeds from the event supported the Santa Rosa Parks Foundation. This funding provided support to rebuild local parks impacted by the fires.
More than 50 volunteers take part in a hands-on restoration project with the Queen LiliÊ»uokalani Trust In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the IRONMAN World Championship, the IRONMAN Foundation partnered with the Queen LiliÊ»uokalani Trust, a nonprofit dedicated to serving orphans and destitute children throughout the Hawaiian Islands. IRONMAN athletes, ambassadors, partners and staff spent the morning restoring coastal landscape of anchialine pools to benefit the ahupuaÊ»a of KeahuolÅ« in North Kona, an area of land that spans 3,400 acres and serves as a location for Native Hawaiian children to experience ‘ohana-oriented camping. In addition, the LiliÊ»uokalani Trust was awarded a $2,500 grant to sponsor ongoing programs to benefit local youth.
Chattanooga homeless provided with running and cycling equipment as part of charitable giveback by the IRONMAN Foundation. In conjunction with the 2017 Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga, the IRONMAN Foundation provided grant funding to My Own 2 Feet & Wheels, a nonprofit in the Chattanooga community. This funding will allow participants of the program to receive a new bicycle, helmet, bike lock and shoes. In addition to new equipment, the funding will allow the organization to continue their running/walking program, which allows participants to gain self-confidence and self-sufficiency, as well as live a healthy lifestyle.
The IRONMAN Foundation hosts a large-scale service project and provides $120,000 in funding to five nonprofit organizations in Puerto Rico to support Hurricane Maria recovery efforts. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria pummeled the island of Puerto Rico as a Category 4 storm, leaving behind a trail of devastation. The island suffered an estimated $90 billion in damages and rebuilding efforts will likely take years. Shortly after the storm hit, the IRONMAN Foundation launched a Humanitarian Relief Effort campaign to assist in the recovery. In March 2018, the IRONMAN Foundation awarded $120,000 in grant funding to five local nonprofit organizations in conjunction with IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Rico. This funding will support long-term recovery needs in five areas: reforestation, water quality, solar power, hunger and home restoration. In addition to grant funding, the IRONMAN Foundation partnered with the Buena Vibra Foundation for a race week service project, where 125 athletes and volunteers helped restore homes and revitalize the community of Barrio Ingenio in Toa Baja.
– Mike Reilly, who has called half a million athletes across the finish line, will add to his total at the 2024 Athletic Brewing IRONMAN Lake Placid triathlon, part of the VinFast IRONMAN North America Series
– Ambassador team includes 20 carefully selected age group athletes led by recently retired “Voice of IRONMAN” and Ambassador Team Captain, Mike Reilly – 2023 IRONMAN Foundation schedule consists of 18 service projects with a focus on DE&I, military & first responders, volunteerism, as well as health & wellness
– 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
– $20,000 worth of bicycles and toys to be delivered to 4KIDS Southwest Florida by Country Music artist Ryan Kinder and The IRONMAN Foundation staff
– The IRONMAN Foundation supports the Kona Community Aquatic Center with $100,000 in grant funding – Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation awarded Dave Orlowski Memorial Grant as part of $40,000 provided by the IRONMAN Foundation