This article can be found at http://www.ironmannorthamerica.com
Ford Ironman USA Coeur d'Alene athletes raise more than $500,000 through the Janus Charity Challenge
BOULDER, Colo. Sixty-three athletes who competed in the 2005 Ford Ironman USA Coeur d'Alene Triathlon in June raised $559,000 for non-profit organizations through the Janus Charity Challenge program.
As presenting sponsor of Ironman North America events in the United States, Janus, the Denver-based investment management firm, created the Janus Charity Challenge to encourage athletes to use Ironman events as a way to raise money for their favorite nonprofit organizations.
Since the inception of the program back in 2001, the Janus Charity Challenge has raised more than $9.2 million for hundreds of nonprofit groups throughout the country.
The top fundraiser at the 2005 Ford Ironman USA Coeur d'Alene was Michael Pluimer (Raymond, Minn.), who raised $72,913 for the Central Minnesota Christian School. Pluimer's nonprofit will receive an additional $10,000 contribution from Janus, and he will also receive a complimentary entry in the Ironman North America race of his choice in the next 12 months.
All athletes who compete in Ironman North America full-distance U.S. events in 2005 are eligible to participate in the program. For the top five individual fundraisers at each race, Janus will make a donation to their designated charity in the following amounts: First place, $10,000; second place, $8,000; third place, $6,000; fourth place, $4,000 and fifth place, $2,000.
Janus will also contribute $750 to the beneficiaries of the next highest 25 fundraisers (athletes must raise a minimum of $750 to qualify). In addition, the top fundraiser at each race will have the entry fee waived for the Ironman North America race of his or her choice within the following 12 months.
âThis race set a new record in the number of athletes participating in the Janus Charity Challenge to dateâ, said Casey Cortese, director of community relations for Janus. âWe are incredibly excited to see more athletes engaging in the program and hope this is a trend that continues throughout the year.â
To make a donation or sign up for the Janus Charity Challenge, or for more information, log onto www.januscharitychallenge.com.
In total, just over $559,000 was raised at this year's Ford Ironman USA Coeur d'Alene triathlon through the Janus Charity Challenge.
1st place: Michael Pluimer (Raymond, Minn.) raised $72,913 for the Central Minnesota Christian School. The school will also receive an additional $10,000 from Janus
2nd place: Aaron Scheidies (Farmington, Mich.) raised $43,271 for the âC Different Foundation,â and the organization will be the recipient of an additional $8,000 donation.
3rd place: Doug Evans (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) raised $32,146.99 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation through the Coeur dâAlene Cancer Challenge. Doug's efforts have brought an extra $6,000 contribution to his beneficiary.
4th place: Cherie Gruenfeld (Cathedral City, Calif.) raised $31,416.78 for the Active Awareness Fund. The Active Awareness Fund will also receive an extra $4,000 from Janus.
5th place: Beth Steinberg (Saratoga, Calif.) raised $26,070 for the Collective Roots Garden Project, and her efforts have brought an extra $2,000 contribution to her beneficiary.