Selessness

B Y H O L LY B E N N E T T

THROUGH SPORT

A major gateway to the sport of triathlon, charity-racing programs pull thousands of people of all athletic backgrounds o the couch and onto the start line. The experience can be life-changing, not only for those that benet from the fundraising eorts, but also for the athletes involved, by creating a sense of purpose greater than ones own tness and accomplishment. Here we prole eight such programs, and also share the personal eorts of an individual with substantial ties to the sport.
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COURTESY MATT LANKES/LIVESTRONG

TEAM IN TRAINING
Teamintraining.org
The largest program worldwide to pair endurance sports with fundraising is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Societys (LLS) Team in Training (TNT). TNT athletes telltale purple kits and rallying cry of Go Team! underscore participants heartfelt support in the battle against blood cancers. TNT is well known for its coaching staff, led by six-time Ironman world champion Dave Scott. Many TNT alumni go on to become program coaches, team captains or fundraising mentors. To date, TNT has raised more than $1.2 billion to fund cancer research and to enhance the lives of blood cancer patients.

T H E G I V E & G ET:

Commitment to fundraise for the LLS (minimum requirement varies by event and participants proximity to race venue) Complimentary race entry (options include Lavaman, St. Anthonys and Wildower), travel and accommodation 45-month local training program with weekly group workouts, or choose new TNT Flex, a customized, online training option Certied coaching staff Mentors for fundraising support Customized website for fundraising Personal connection with a patient honoree to deepen participants understanding of TNTs mission

TEAM LIVESTRONG
Livestrong.org In tandem with Lance Armstrongs widely publicized return to triathlon, Team Livestrong aims to make a major statement in the multisport world starting in 2012. In addition to its well-established ride and run events, Livestrongs Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) recently launched a new partnership with the World Triathlon Corporation with the goal of raising more than $1 million for people aected by cancer. The Lance factor is sure to have a swift and substantial impact: Within three weeks of the programs announcement, more than 170 athletes had registered for Team Livestrong triathlon events.

BA L LOU S K I ES
Ballouskies.com
Pittsburgh-based Ballou Skies was created by Ty Ballou to benet his 24-year-old son, Ryan, born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The charity aims to raise muscular dystrophy awareness and funds for the heart clinic at Ohio State University, which performs heart scans of those afflicted with DMD to warn of future problems and to gain further knowledge of the disease.

T H E G I V E & G ET:

Commitment to fundraise for the LAF (minimum requirement range: $600$1400 per event; athletes already race-registered may join Team Livestrong with no minimum commitment, however a small milestone exists in order to earn the signature black and yellow race kit) Guaranteed entry (complimentary or paid, depending on race) to a variety of triathlon events including Ironman 70.3 Texas, Ironman 70.3 Florida and Ironman France Livestrong tri top, hat and race belt Personalized fundraising website and a library of fundraising tools (including Six Easy Steps to Raising $1000 and How to Start a Social Media Campaign) One-on-one Livestrong staff support

T H E G I V E & G ET:

No minimum fundraising requirement team is selected based on high engagement and concern for the cause. Team includes several world-class athletessix team members qualied for the Ironman World Championship last year. Sponsors include Blueseventy, Newton, Coke, Powerade Zero and more, which provide funding, products and services. Creativity is encouraged in fundraising and ranges from Biggest Loser competitions in schools to sales of Ballou Skies-branded peanut butter.

XTERRA PHOTOS

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CHALLENGED AT H L ET ES F O U N DAT I O N
Challengedathletes.org
The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) offers triathletes numerous ways to support the organizations mission of providing opportunities and grants to physically challenged individuals to pursue active, athletic lifestyles. CAFs signature event, the Aspen Medical Products San Diego Triathlon Challenge, offers the experience of racing alongside more than 200 challenged athletes and Ironman celebrities (Chrissie was there last year). Or opt to Race for a Reason at CAFs premier partner events or any event of your choosing.

MMRFS ENDURANCE PROGRAM

Themmrf.org

T H E G I V E A N D G ET:

Race for a Reason requires a commitment to fundraise for CAF (registration fee and/ or minimum fundraising requirement: $2500$3000 per event). Guaranteed entry (complimentary or paid) to various Ironman, 70.3, Nautica Triathlon and Muddy Buddy events Fundraising Web page, tools and assistance from CAFs fundraising managers Additional incentives: CAF gear, prizes, VIP access and inspiring pre-race luncheon

JANUS CHARITY CHALLENGE

Januscharitychallenge.com
Want a well-structured way to race and fundraise for the charity of your choice? The Janus Charity Challenge (JCC) was designed for you. Athletes compete in Life Time Fitness Triathlon Series events, raising funds for any veried 501(c)(3) nonprot organization. The JCC program has generated $51 million in donations since its inception in 2001.

T H E G I V E & G ET:

T H E G I V E A N D G ET:

Commitment to fundraise for the charity of your choice (the JCC has no minimum requirement for participation) Paid registration is required in one of the following Life Time Fitness events: Nautica South Beach Triathlon, Capital of Texas Triathlon, Life Time Minneapolis Triathlon, Life Time Chicago Triathlon, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon or Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon. Opportunity for top fundraisers to earn additional charity prize purse donations from Janus Exclusive JCC triathlon race tank

Join the ght against multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer, by racing in a triathlon, cycling or running event in conjunction with the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). Athletes can register for a premium MMRF partner event or a race of their choosing, and 90 percent of all funds raised by athletes on behalf of the MMRF go toward research and related programming.

Commitment to fundraise for the MMRF (minimum requirement: $1,000$5,000 per event, plus variable race registration fee) Guaranteed race entry (options include Ironman U.S. Championship, Escape From Alcatraz and Nautica NYC Triathlon) Fundraising tools and tips including personal fundraising page, downloadable marketing and promotional materials and sample e-mails and letters Training programs for athletes of all levels; Ironman program includes training plan and expert advice from 19-time Ironman and exercise physiologist Tom Holland. Race-day apparel, gift box, T-shirts and signage for athletes cheering squad The Run/Bike/Tri Your Own Race Program option includes full program benets while allowing athletes to fundraise in conjunction with any endurance event.

COURTESY MMRF

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Honoring the Red, White and Blue

As a professional triathlete, Tim ODonnell enjoys a lifestyle highlighted by training and racing all over the world. Yet he is rmly tied to his roots in the U.S. Navy, where he rst cut his triathlon teeth leading the Naval Academy Mens Team to two U.S. National Triathlon Championship titles and later pursued his Olympic dream while based at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. As a former naval officer, ODonnell is a steadfast advocate for his military brethren, especially those facing the challenge of having been injured in the line of duty. Our wounded veterans face unique obstacles returning from combat and transitioning back to civilian life, says ODonnell. They need meaningful support during this critical time of starting over. As an ambassador for Team Red, White & Blue (Teamrwb.org), ODonnell promotes the organizations mission to transform the way wounded veterans are reintegrated into society. ODonnell aligned his advocacy with his October 2011 debut at the Ironman World Championship, raising funds and awareness for the cause that is so close to his heart. Along with traditional call-outs for donations, ODonnell rallied 19 top triathletesincluding Chrissie Wellington, Matt Reed, Mirinda Carfrae, Julie Dibens and legends of the sport Mark Allen and Dave Scottto sign a set of Prole Design Volna Carbon Aerobars that were auctioned for the cause. All told, ODonnells efforts generated more than $14,000 for Team RWB.

T H E G I V E A N D G ET:

TEAM FOX
Teamfox.org Team Fox encourages athletes to Run Like a Fox in the ght against Parkinsons disease, a progressive neurological disorder aecting more than 5 million people worldwide. A branch of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research (MJFF), Team Fox provides training and fundraising guidance and support for triathletes and runners wishing to help fund research in the treatment and hunt for a cure for Parkinsons.

Commitment to fundraise for the MJFF (minimum requirement: $1,000$5,000 per event) Guaranteed complimentary race entry (options include Ironman U.S. Championship, Escape From Alcatraz and Nautica New York City Triathlon) Fundraising resources, such as a customizable Web page, sample letters, Team Fox-branded materials and fundraising tips Additional benets vary by event and may include Team Fox tri suit, organized group workouts, online training support, hotel accommodations and race weekend support, and special celebrations. The Team Fox Team option allows fundraising athletes to train together toward a common goal.

AT H L E T E S FOR A CURE
Athletesforacure.org
As a charitable arm of the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), Athletes for a Cure (AFAC) supports individuals in their efforts to run, bike, walk or race for a cure. Athletes choose to race in either an AFAC Featured Event (high-prole triathlons and marathons which are often otherwise sold out) or the Any Event, Anytime, Anywhere option.

T H E G I V E A N D G ET:

Commitment to fundraise for the PCF (minimum requirement range: $750$5,000 per event) Guaranteed complimentary entry to a premier race (options include Ironman Canada, Ironman U.S. Championship, Ironman Arizona and St. Anthonys) Opportunity to earn sponsor incentives including custom race kits, triathlon gear and travel discounts The Any Event, Anytime, Anywhere option has no minimum requirement or complimentary entry, but provides an online fundraising template, allowing athletes to join AFAC through any event of their choosing.

COURTESY TEAM FOX, NILS NILSEN

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