In 2019, the IRONMAN Foundation will provide 22 service project opportunities along with the launching of two new service programs in conjunction with multiple IRONMAN and IROMMAN 70.3 events.
Each service initiative is conducted in partnership with a local non-profit organization, connecting IRONMAN athletes to the local race community. This year’s roster builds on the 2018 campaign that saw ‘more than 1,200 athletes participate in 16 service projects and positively impacting countless lives’.
“Athletes, TriClubs, volunteers and their supporters are invited to join the IRONMAN Foundation throughout the season as we connect with our local race communities for unique, life-changing opportunities,” said Sarah Hartmann, Executive Director of the IRONMAN Foundation.
“When we unite for a common purpose – changing lives through sport – we leave our IRONMAN legacy behind long after race day.”
2019 service projects
At select IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events, the IRONMAN Foundation creates positive tangible impact through service projects in the local race communities. Each service project benefits local non-profit partner organizations, linking IRONMAN athletes to the local community and seeking to leave the IRONMAN legacy behind long after race day.
IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Rico (San Juan, Puerto Rico) – On March 18, more than 70 IRONMAN athletes, staff and volunteers travelled to Barrios Saint Just and San Antón for a day of community impact in partnership with local non-profit partners Fundación Buena Vibra, La Marana and HASER. The volunteers worked in teams, collaborating directly with community residents and leaders to transform a condemned school into a new, multi-functional community centre.
IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside (Oceanside, CA) – On April 7, 50 professional and age-group athletes will volunteer at the 2019 IRONMAN Foundation Junior Seau Foundation Adaptive Surf Clinic presented by the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). 30 children, women and military/adults with physical challenges will spend the morning learning to paddle and surf at Oceanside Pier with the assistance of surf coaches, volunteers and triathletes.
IRONMAN Santa Rosa (Santa Rosa, CA) – On May 12, athletes and volunteers will provide hands-on rebuilding support at a community wildfire recovery project.
IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship (Nice, France) – On September 9, athletes and volunteers will participate in a community impact project, which will make up part of US$80,000 in grant funding to local charity initiatives.
IRONMAN World Championship (Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i) – On October 7, athletes and volunteers will engage in a hands-on community service experience.
IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina (Wilmington, NC) – On October 20, athletes and volunteers will contribute to a Hurricane Florence rebuilding project.
Bicycle World Texas IRONMAN 70.3 Waco (Waco, TX) – On October 25, a pre-race hands-on community service project is planned.
IRONMAN Florida (Panama City Beach, FL) – On November 3, a large-scale Hurricane Michael rebuilding project is planned in conjunction with the IRONMAN Foundation’s Humanitarian Relief Effort Campaign.
IRONMAN Arizona (Tempe, AZ) – On November 21, a day of service is planned in partnership with the Salt River Children’s Foundation
2019 Bike for a Kid ‘Pop Up Service Projects’
At an additional nine races, the IRONMAN Foundation will conduct ‘pop up service projects’ inside the IRONMAN Village race expo. Athletes will have the opportunity to build bikes for local youth as part of the ‘Bike for a Kid’ program in partnership with FLO Cycling.
The 2019 Bike for a Kid events are:
- Memorial Hermann IRONMAN North American Championship Texas (The Woodlands, Texas) April 24-26
- IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast (Panama City Beach, Fla.) May 9-10
- IRONMAN 70.3 Connecticut (Middlebury, Conn.) May 31-June 1
- IRONMAN 70.3 Traverse City (Traverse City, Mich.) Aug 23-24
- IRONMAN Wisconsin (Madison, Wis.) Sep 5-7
- IRONMAN Maryland (Cambridge, Md.) Sep 25-27
- IRONMAN World Championship (Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i) Oct 8-11
- IRONMAN Florida (Panama City Beach, Fla.) Oct 30-Nov 1
- IRONMAN Arizona (Tempe, Ariz.) Nov 22-23
2019 Gold Star Initiative Events
In 2018, IRONMAN Foundation Ambassador and Marine Corps veteran Mike Ergo piloted a new program called the Gold Star Initiative. This gives veterans and active duty service members the chance to team up and honour Gold Star Families by carrying an American flag during the run portion of select IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events and presenting it to a local Gold Star Family at the finish line. Ergo will continue to lead the program in 2019 with fellow ambassador and Gold Star Mother, Lisa Anderson.
In 2019, the program will expand to four events and partner with ‘wear blue: run to remember’, a national US non-profit running community that honours the service and sacrifice of the American military. Gold Star families will be provided with scholarships to participate in the wear blue Gold Star Race program, providing them with access to training, support and entry into various running events, including the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon Series.
- IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside: April 7, 2019
- IRONMAN Santa Rosa: May 11, 2019
- IRONMAN 70.3 Santa Rosa: July 27, 2019
- IRONMAN 70.3 Superfrog: Sept. 8, 2019
“After 10 years of working with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, we are thrilled to grow our relationship with the IRONMAN Foundation through the Gold Star Initiative,” said Lisa Hallett, Executive Director and Co-Founder of wear blue: run to remember. “The meaningful connection between our veterans and surviving families provides healing, community, and strength that only this unique bond can provide. We are proud to continue to support our military, their families, and those who have sacrificed all for our freedoms in this exciting new program.”
IRONAID
IRONAID is a new program of the IRONMAN Foundation engaging athletes from the medical community to raise funding and awareness for health-related causes. Initially available to North American athletes, IRONAID was inspired by long-time IRONMAN Foundation supporter and Mālama Club Athlete, Dr Timothy Deer.
The restricted funds will be available for grant applications by health-related non-profit organizations and awarded once annually. Potential projects include improving fresh water access, nutrition for children, vaccines for communicable diseases and lifesaving equipment. IRONAID athletes and grant applicants may visit for applications and details.
www.ironmanfoundation.org/service-projects
www.ironmanfoundation.org/gold-star-initiative
www.ironmanfoundation.org/ironaid
