The IRONMAN Foundation, Inc. is commemorating the 25th anniversary of the iconic Athletic Brewing IRONMAN® Lake Placid triathlon, part of the VinFast IRONMAN North American Series, by distributing $67,500 in charitable giveback to local organizations in the Lake Placid region through grant funding and the distribution of bicycles to community youths. This brings the historical charitable donation total from The IRONMAN Foundation to over $2 million in Lake Placid and surrounding communities.
"We are thrilled to celebrate this major milestone for the IRONMAN Lake Placid race by giving back to the community that has supported this iconic event for 25 years," said Audra Tassone-Indeck, Executive Director, The IRONMAN Foundation. "We encourage the community to get involved by volunteering or coming out to cheer on our athletes while also celebrating our deep community impact."
Grant recipients for this year’s Athletic Brewing IRONMAN Lake Placid event include the Adirondack Foundation, Ausable River Association, Lake Placid Whiteface Visitors Bureau, Wilmington Parks and Recreation, and more.
The Mirror Lake Watershed Association will receive the Dave Orlowski Memorial Grant. This grant was established in 2020 after the passing of Orlowski, one of the original IRONMAN finishers from 1978, an IRONMAN Foundation Board of Directors member, and a beloved member of the IRONMAN 'ohana. The annual grant honors Dave Orlowski’s legacy of service through sport and commitment to community; it is provided to one organization from among the IRONMAN and IRONMAN® 70.3® race communities in North America.
In addition to grant funding, The IRONMAN Foundation will host Bikes For Kids in IRONMAN Village July 18 through 20. Through Bikes For Kids, athletes, supporters, and guests are invited to stop at The IRONMAN Foundation booth to build a bike and leave a personal note of encouragement for a community child who will be gifted with the bike. In total, seventy-five bikes and helmets will be assembled and distributed to youth at the Lake Placid Central School District.
The IRONMAN Foundation activities will continue race day, with three pro athlete relay teams racing for the IRONMAN Foundation's community initiatives. Earlier this year, three generous individuals bid on and won the opportunity to join an all-star list of very accomplished current and former professional triathletes.
IMF Team Red: (Bike) Relay Auction Winner Ali Dennison, will join (Swim) Andrea Fisher, former professional triathlete, the first woman to exit the water at the 1999 IRONMAN Lake Placid triathlon, along with (Run) Mirinda Carfrae, a 4x World Champion having won 3 IRONMAN World Championship® titles and an IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship title.
IMF Team White: (Bike) Relay Auction Winner Johnny O'Brien, will join (Swim and Run) Ben Hoffman, current professional triathlete and 8x IRONMAN champion as well as Andy Potts, former Olympian and 7x IRONMAN champion to split the swim and run segments.
IMF Team Blue: (Swim) Relay Auction Winner Heidi Watson, will join (Bike) Heather Jackson, former professional triathlete and 6x IRONMAN Champion, along with (Run) Sika Henry, the first US black female professional triathlete.
For more information on The IRONMAN Foundation's impact, visit ironmanfoundation.org.