The IRONMAN Foundation’s annual auction on eBay benefits charitable organizations worldwide. Each year, more than 100,000 athletes vie for slots to the IRONMAN World Championship presented by GoPro at qualifying IRONMAN events worldwide, while only approximately 2,000 make it to the starting line on race day.
Bidding opens on Sunday, April 20, 2014 for the 2014 IRONMAN World Championship auction on eBay. The auction, which is in its twelfth year, provides athletes the opportunity to bid on one of four coveted slots to the IRONMAN World Championship, taking place on October 11, 2014 in Kailua-Kona Hawai`i.
The auction incorporates four phases with one slot available per week. Each slot begins with a minimum bid of $10,000. One hundred percent of the money from the final winning bids of the four slots support the efforts of the IRONMAN Foundation’s Community Fund Program. Since its inception, the IRONMAN Foundation has provided over $28.5 million in grants and donations to many deserving global, national, regional and local nonprofit organizations.
Every year the IRONMAN Foundation selects groups within various IRONMAN event markets for donations, including organizations located in the two World Championship host cities – Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i and Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nev. The IRONMAN Foundation also recognizes a multitude of groups on a national and international level. Last year’s beneficiaries included The American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, American Red Cross, American Heart Association, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club and The United Way.
To date, more than $2.2 million has been raised through the annual IRONMAN Foundation auction. Through the success of the auction, The IRONMAN Foundation has donated to organizations like Team Blazeman, Hospice of Kona, C Different, Daniel Robert Sayre Memorial Foundation – with funds benefitting The Hawai`i Fire Department on Hawai`i Island, The Pediatric Cancer Foundation, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawai`i (PATH) and The County of Hawai`i Parks & Recreation Department.
In addition to receiving the opportunity to compete at the 2014 IRONMAN World Championship, IRONMAN Foundation auction winners will receive private athlete registration in Kona and four VIP packages, including race-day passes and invitations to race-week functions.
Funding for the auction does not have to be generated through one source, as fundraising efforts are acceptable; however, funds are due once the auction ends. Funds in excess of the retail cost of the slot may be tax-deductible in the United States. International bidders will need to locally verify tax deductibility (bidders should consult their own tax advisors to determine deductibility and whether any limitations apply). All proceeds go to the IRONMAN Foundation, which in turn makes donations to the beneficiary organizations. The IRONMAN Foundation covers all administrative costs to ensure all monies raised will directly benefit the selected charities.
The first round of bidding will open on Sunday, April 20 and will last until Sunday, April 27, with three more weeks of bidding subsequently following until the fourth and final slot auction closes on Sunday, May 18, 2014. Athletes can bid for the slots available by clicking here.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-Ironman-World-Championship-Slot-/141259815162?pt=US_Tickets_all_in_one&hash=item20e3bdb8fa
For more information on the IRONMAN World Championship auction on eBay or the IRONMAN Foundation, please visit www.ironmanfoundation.org.