Home > Feature

Frodeno does Ironman-distance at home as fundraiser “to fight Corona”

Last Saturday three-time Kona champion Jan Frodeno completed a full-distance training day at home, raising over 200,000 euros in the process.

So what were you doing this weekend? Catch any movies online? Manage to get a hard session done on your trainer? Frodo did an Ironman.

Olympic gold medalist and three-time Ironman World Champion Jan Frodeno completed a full-distance race at home on Saturday, April 11, 2020 in an impressive 8:33:37, raising over 200,000 Euros for charity in the process.

Frodeno swam 3.8 km in his own “counter-current” equipped pool, rode 180 km on a trainer using Zwift and then ran 42.2 km on his treadmill.

“Nothing can put into words what unfolded yesterday,” Frodeno wrote on FaceBook. “And all in the ‘comfort’ of my own home.”

Photo: Courtesy Breitling.

Frodeno used the event as a fundraiser to support the efforts to deal with the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak in Girona, and a new project of Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in Girona. Here’s how the fundraising site describes the charities:

“With your donation you immediately support doctors, supporters and people suffering from Corona Virus in Girona, the home town of Jan Frodeno. Donations will mainly be used to support with the products that are currently needed most urgently like breathing masks or protective clothing.

On top, the donations will support the foundation and development of a new project of Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in Girona. With this project children and adolescents with disabilities or from social hotspots learn about the power of sport to believe in themselves, to pursue their goals, to overcome setbacks and to take their own lives into their own hands.”

Photo: Courtesy Breitling.

All those who made donations were eligible for a variety of prizes, many of which were donated by Frodeno’s sponsors. The grand prize is a trip for two to Girona, Spain for an exclusive training day with the Olympic and Ironman world champion. Other prizes included a Canyon SpeedMax SLX Jan Frodeno Replica, three Breitling watches (one of which was the Breitling Superocean Automatic 44 Ironman Limited Edition that Frodeno wore on the podium in Kona and during the virtual ride on Saturday), Champions League VIP tickets, Oakley cycling helmets and sunglasses and Hoka running shoes. Entries for the draw are open until May 30, 2020.

You can make a donation and enter the sweepstakes here.