Entry to 2015 Ironman World Championship on Auction
The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) announced they will auction a coveted slot to the 2015 Ironman World Championship at their eighth annual A Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope gala in New York City on June 11. The mission of the CAF is to provide opportunities and support to people with physical disabilities so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. CAF believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life.
The winning bidder earns the opportunity to compete in the 2015 Ironman World Championship, organized and conducted by the World Triathlon Corporation, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Proceeds from the auction will support CAF’s mission and fund the purchase of adaptive sports equipment, training and competition expenses and mentoring for physically challenged athletes, so they can get involved – and stay involved – in life-affirming sports.
“We are excited that through our partnership with the World Triathlon Corporation and this year’s A Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope gala, we will not only support a greater number of challenged athletes, but also make another athlete’s Ironman dream come true,” said Virginia Tinley, Executive Director of the Challenged Athletes Foundation.
Athletes can bid either in person, by purchasing a ticket for A Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope gala, or by proxy. Forms for the latter can be found at www.challengedathletes.org/gotokona and once completed can be scanned and emailed to julia@challengedathletes.org.
Proxy bid forms will be accepted through 12pm (EST) on Wed., June 11. Minimum opening bid for proxy bidders is $20,000 and during the live auction, bids will be made in increments of $1,000 until the bidder’s maximum bid is reached. The live auction will talk place at 9pm EST on Wednesday, June 11 at A Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope gala. The winning bidder must have completed a full distance Ironman, Ironman 70.3 or other long-distance triathlon prior to the race date and is required to submit a completed athlete waiver to Ironman. A complete list of auction rules can be found at www.challengedathletes.org.