The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF) has finalized an agreement with The Columbia Triathlon Association (CTA) to acquire ownership and operations of two of its signature races – the Columbia Triathlon and Iron Girl Columbia.
UCF has been working closely with the Columbia Triathlon Association, also known as TriColumbia, and Ironman brand owner World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) for the past month to identify a solution that would ‘enable these important events to take place in 2014 and for years to come.’
The confirmation of UCF stepping in to save the Columbia Triathlon and Iron Girl Columbia follows the recent announcement of Ironman Maryland and a number of changes in the pipeline for under threat events in the region.
It is understood that Ironman proposes the acquisition of the ChesapeakeMan event from The Columbia Triathlon Association.
Concurrently, Ironman also anticipates acquiring and operating three additional Columbia Triathlon Association events that were previously licensed from Ironman: Ironman 70.3 Eagleman, the Iron Girl Rocky Gap Women’s Triathlon and the Iron Girl 13.1 & Family Fun 5K, which Ironman plans to call the Iron Girl Columbia Half Marathon and Family Fun 5K.
The 30 year old, non-profit, Columbia Triathlon Association (CTA), aka TriColumbia, has experienced financial difficulties – with recent reports pointing to an organisation on the brink of collapse.
“We appreciate the invitation and opportunity extended by CTA and WTC to be an integral part of keeping these events [the Columbia Triathlon and Iron Girl Columbia] alive in our community,” said UCF President & CEO Brock Yetso.
“Since inception, our organization has utilized sporting events to bring people together to raise awareness and create a community of support for young adults and families facing cancer. We’re excited to add these great events to our organization as we continue to serve our mission.”
A long-time supporter of the Columbia Triathlon Association (CTA), the Ulman Cancer Fund has over the years provided over 1,000 volunteers and registered over 500 athletes for its races since 2006, and was the first national beneficiary of the Iron Girl event series.
On 11 March 2014 in an open letter to the local community, UCF expressed an interest in taking over CTA’s Howard County events [in Maryland, between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.] in response to rumours they may be closing their doors.
Both of these races take place in Howard County, at Centennial Park. The Columbia Triathlon will take place as scheduled on Sunday 18 May 2014, and the Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon kicks off on Sunday 17 August 2014.
All prior registrations for both events will be honoured, and general registration for both events is now open at www.ucfraces.org.
UCF COO Brian Satola, a USAT Certified Race Director, will serve as Race Director for both races. “We look forward to hosting safe events for the athletes and we invite the community to join us by participating or volunteering. We plan to continue many of the traditions of these iconic events and will look to find ways to enhance them in years to come,” Satola said.
“When we decided to step in to help CTA continue its races in Maryland, we knew we’d need a strong community partner. We’re excited to have the Ulman Cancer Fund step up to support these important community races,” said Steve Meckfessel, Managing Director of Global Race Operations for Ironman.
CTA Board Chair, Todd Jennings, added “We’re pleased to see these important TriColumbia races continue in our community and thank the many partners and individuals who have stepped up to help make this happen. We invite the community to join the Ulman Cancer Fund, Ironman and the many community groups involved to help make these events successful in 2014 and for years to come.”
“The involvement by the Ulman Cancer Fund will ensure the continued success of two of the region’s premier races. It will also help raise awareness of the special needs of young adult cancer survivors, which is why our family launched this organization,” said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. “The staff at the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks worked incredibly hard to reach this great outcome. The races are on, and a good cause will be served. This is truly a win-win.”
UCF Patient Navigation Programs have set a national standard and can be accessed remotely or through onsite Patient Navigators at a growing number of hospitals in the Mid-Atlantic region. UCF changes lives by creating a community of support for young adults, and their loved ones, as they fight cancer and embrace survivorship.
www.ucfraces.org
www.ulmancancerfund.org
