In conjunction with the 2024 VinFast Men’s IRONMAN World Championship taking place in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i, on Saturday, October 26th, The IRONMAN Foundation is set to make an impact on the Kona community once again, building on years of philanthropy.
Since its inception, The IRONMAN Foundation has supported the Kailua-Kona community. This year’s efforts will push the organization’s total giveback to the area beyond the US$3.15 million mark.
“The Kailua-Kona community is an integral part of The IRONMAN Foundation and the IRONMAN World Championship race’s storied history,” said Audra Tassone, Executive Director of the IRONMAN Foundation.
“We are excited to celebrate this amazing community through this year’s new cultural experience in IRONMAN Village and continue our giveback through the distribution of over US$100,000 grants to local organizations.”
TEAM IMF is a network of triathletes that fundraise to support the organization’s mission while racing an IRONMAN event. Funds directly benefit those communities where IRONMAN events are held through the awarding of grants to a variety of non-profit organizations that provide support and resources to better the local community.
The Kona Underpants Run
One of the most anticipated events of race week, the Kona Underpants Run, will take place Thursday, October 24. This Kona tradition, now organized by and benefiting The IRONMAN Foundation, combines light-hearted fun with serious fundraising.
Conceived in 1998 by Chris Danahy, Tim Morris, and Paul Huddle as a protest against wearing swim briefs in inappropriate places, the event has morphed into an IRONMAN pre-race icebreaker raising over US$60,000 in 2023 alone.
Over the years, the total raised for community charities has now reached more than US$350,000. The Kona Underpants Run welcomes all ages, all genders, and all bodies as a one-of-a-kind race week spectacle.
Bikes For Kids Bike Build
On Thursday, in race week, from 10:00 to midday HST, The IRONMAN Foundation will host a Bikes For Kids Bike Build-Off in the IRONMAN Village. This engaging event will bring together IRONMAN Foundation athletes and HOKA team members to assemble 25 brand new bikes.
The bikes, along with helmets, will be distributed to local Kona children through community partners, who might otherwise not have access to a bicycle.
The IRONMAN Foundation Cultural Experience
As celebration of local culture and community spirit, centred around the theme of ‘Ola Hou’ (new life), the cultural experience will take place in IRONMAN Village throughout race week through a curated experience aimed at bridging the gap between kamaʻāina (native born) and malihini (newcomer).
In collaboration with Lydia8, the village will showcase the heritage of Kona through an Arts Mākeke (market) featuring indigenous artisans, cultural performances, and interactive workshops. Visitors can immerse themselves in traditional practices such as lei-making, wood carving, and hula dancing.
A highlight of the event will be the Ola Hou mural project, led by Native Hawaiian artist Jack Soren, featuring a Community Paint Day where attendees can contribute on an exterior wall of Hale Halawai facing Ali’i Drive. This interactive experience invites participants to leave a legacy while engaging in a talk story session with the artist.
Underscoring The IRONMAN Foundation’s commitment to celebrating and preserving local culture, a US$20,000 grant has been awarded to Lydia8 to coordinate and host this cultural experience at IRONMAN Village during race week.
IRONMAN Foundation Athlete Team
The IRONMAN Foundation is highlighting the participation of its inspiring athletes in this year’s event, including brothers Kyle and Brent Pease, as well as Mark Fiore.
Kyle and Brent Pease make up the team which made history at the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship as the second push-assist team to complete the world championship race. The brothers will return to Kona this year with an even more ambitious goal. After completing the course in 14 hours and 29 minutes in 2018, showcasing inclusivity in sports, the brothers now aim to raise US$1,000,000 for The KPF Inclusive Employment program.
This initiative seeks to create and support work opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Efforts will focus on hiring more individuals with disabilities and contributing to vehicles that provide long-term financial stability for employees with disabilities.
Mark Fiore, a passionate endurance athlete with 24 IRONMAN completions, faced a life-altering challenge when diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroendocrine Cancer in October 2022. Despite the news and ongoing treatments, his medical team encouraged him to continue pursuing his passions. The IRONMAN Foundation provided support, offering an opportunity to participate in the 2024 Men’s VinFast IRONMAN World Championship. This chance not only bolstered Mark’s mental health but also allowed him to inspire other cancer patients. He aims to demonstrate that hope and determination can persist even in the face of life-threatening illness.
Laulima Auction
The IRONMAN Foundation’s Annual Laulima Auction kicked-off during race week at midday ET on Wednesday, October 23. This online event features exclusive experiences and items, including coveted charity bibs for the 2025 Men’s and Women’s IRONMAN World Championship races, 2025 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, and 2025 Absa Cape Epic mountain bike race.
Additional items include memorabilia signed by top professional triathletes, ‘Race-cation’ packages, and more. Proceeds from the auction directly benefit The IRONMAN Foundation’s ongoing community initiatives.
