CHANHASSEN, MINN - Five of the most prominent professional triathletes participating in the 2011 Race to the Toyota Cup have been invited by Janus, a Denver-based global investment company, to compete for a special $20,000 charitable prize purse in a program called the Janus Charity Challenge People's Choice Awards. The $20,000 charity prize purse will be divided among five charities chosen by the athletes based on the number of votes each athlete/charity receives by October 1st. Votes can be cast and donations can be made to the charities at www.januscharitychallenge.com/peopleschoice, as well as at the remaining Race to the Toyota Cup events.
The charities below are being supported by the following participating professional triathletes:
• World Bicycle Relief supported by David Thompson
Provides access to independence and livelihood through the power of bicycles.
• Jenny's Light supported by Becky Lavelle
Raises awareness and understanding of perinatal mood disorders, such as postpartum depression, both for women and families, and the providers that treat them.
• Eleonore Rocks supported by Andy Potts
Provides rocking chairs to Pediatric ICU's to comfort terminally ill children and offers financial assistance during these tragic times.
• Blazeman Foundation for ALS supported by Matty Reed
Helps raise awareness about and funds for ALS by leveraging the energy and compassion of the multi-sport community.
• A-T Children's Project supported by Hunter Kemper
Encourages and supports excellent laboratory research which will accelerate the discovery of a cure or possible therapies for children with ataxia-telangiectasia, a disease that affects a startling variety of body systems.
"The Janus People's Choice Award allows fans of triathlons to connect to some of the best professional triathletes in the world to support some very noble charitable causes," said Kenneth Cooper, vice president of Life Time Athletic and Endurance Events. "This is an exciting enhancement to our Janus partnership, the Life Time Triathlon Series and the Race to the Toyota Cup."
Janus introduced the People's Choice Awards as part of the Janus Charity Challenge, the firm's signature national giving initiative, which for 10 years has inspired thousands of people -athletes and non-athletes--to meet the needs of their own communities. The Janus Charity Challenge fundraising program has helped raise more than $49 million for hundreds of charities--each one hand-picked by athletes inspired to turn their passion for triathlon into a passion for their favorite charitable cause.
"The People's Choice Awards is unique in that it is the voice and choice of the people that determines which pro and which charity wins," said Casey Cortese, vice president of Sponsorships & Community Relations at Janus. "This program allows us to extend the reach of the Janus Charity Challenge and gives a greater number of people the ability to help raise money for great causes."
About the Life Time Triathlon Series
Since 2006, the Life Time Triathlon Series has connected some of the most prominent international-distance triathlon events in the United States. Throughout the Series, the world's top professional triathletes battle for points and a chance to win the coveted Toyota Cup. In 2011, the Series consists of seven events, including: the April 10 Nautica South Beach Triathlon (Miami); the May 30 Capital of Texas Triathlon (Austin); the June 26 Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon; the July 9 Life Time Minneapolis Triathlon; the August 28 Life Time Chicago Triathlon; the September 25 Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon; and the October 2 Toyota U.S. Open Championship (Dallas). For more information on the Life Time Triathlon Series and the Race to the Toyota Cup visit www.racetothetoyotacup.com.
About the Janus Charity Challenge
Established in 2001, the Janus Charity Challenge has raised more than $48 million for charities across the country. The program offers a different and highly successful fundraising platform that offers triathletes the choice to raise money for any 501(c)(3) charity with no limited, pre-determined charity list. Janus not only provides triathletes with a wide range of fundraising resources, but also makes additional donations, up to $165,000 per year to the nonprofit groups chosen by the top fundraisers at the races it sponsors. Learn more at www.januscharitychallenge.com.
