The IRONMAN Foundation’s diversity initiative Race For Change is expanding outreach with three relay teams, comprised of nine Black athletes, competing at the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina triathlon taking place on Saturday, October 15, 2022.
The goal of the relay teams is to garner support for the Race For Change diversity initiative and inspire more athletes of colour to participate in the sport of triathlon. Individuals affiliated with Black Kids Swim, Major Taylor International Cycling Alliance and Black Runners Connection will make up the teams.
“The IRONMAN Foundation is proud to support these athletes and hope they will inspire others from diverse communities to get involved in the sport of triathlon,” said Audra Tassone-Indeck, Executive Director of The IRONMAN Foundation.
“We are happy to welcome the Race For Change relay teams competing this year at the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina race.”
In addition to welcoming diverse groups to the sport, the IRONMAN Foundation will distribute more than US$45,000 in charitable giveback to non-profit initiatives and groups in the greater Wilmington, NC, area in conjunction with the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina triathlon.
This funding includes a US$25,000 community grant to the YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina, to provide scholarships to the YMCA’s Camp Kirkwood for children and teens of military families.
This year’s grant funding brings the IRONMAN Foundation’s total historical giveback to more than US$140,000 in the region.
The nine athletes participating on The IRONMAN Foundation’s Race For Change relay teams are:
- IMF – Race For Change Team 1: Tiffany Abril of St Louis, MO; Bonita Ward of Albany, OH; and Heidi Lovett of St Louis, MO.
- IMF – Race For Change Team 2: Bridget Carter of Jacksonville, FL; Gidget Bennett of Jacksonville, FL, and Rawn Davis of Slidell, LA.
- IMF – Race For Change Team 3: Nia Obotette of Milwaukee, WI; Amir Cubbage of Marlboro, MD; and Denise Sharperson of Morristown, NJ.
Each relay team member will take on one part of the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon event consisting of a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, and 13.1-mile run. For live tracking, real-time results and instant tracking notifications, fans can follow the Race For Change relay teams on the IRONMAN Tracker app, available for download from iTunes App Store and Google Play.
“I am honored and thrilled that the Race For Change Relay Teams will compete in North Carolina,” said Sika Henry, the USA’s first Black female professional triathlete and an IRONMAN Foundation Race For Change Ambassador.
“These athletes are excellent representatives for The IRONMAN Foundation’s diversity initiative, and they’ll remember this event for the rest of their lives. I’m incredibly proud of them!”
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