eBay
  This auction is good for slot number ONE to the:

SLOT ONE OF SIX
 2013 IRONMAN® WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
 
 
 October 12, 2013  – Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
 
 

For the eleventh consecutive year, The Ironman Foundation is conducting its annual auction with eBay to benefit charitable organizations worldwide.

More than 80,000 athletes vie for slots to the IRONMAN World Championship each year, while only approximately 1,900 make it to the starting line on race day. This year’s auction gives athletes the opportunity to bid on one of six coveted slots to the 2013 IRONMAN World Championship, taking place on October 12 in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i. The auction incorporates six phases with one slot available per week. Each slot begins with a minimum bid of $10,000 and 100 percent of the money from the final winning bids of the first four slots will go to support the efforts of The IRONMAN Foundation. This year, a special fifth and sixth IRONMAN World Championship slot is being added to the eBay auction through the partnership between The IRONMAN Foundation and two well deserving organizations. Proceeds from the fifth slot will benefit World Bicycle Relief, a nonprofit organization transforming individuals and their communities through the power of bicycles.  The final slot will benefit the YMCA of Greater Seattle, with funds benefiting the University Family YMCA’s programs for youth in need.

Each 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. Some of last year’s grants and donations were received by the following: 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 million has been raised through the annual IRONMAN Foundation eBay auction. Through the success of the auction specifically, 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 2013 IRONMAN World Championship, IRONMAN Foundation eBay 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 eBay auction does not have to be generated through one source, as fundraising efforts are acceptable; however, funds are due once the auction ends. All funds are tax-deductible in the United States. International bidders will need to locally verify tax deductibility. All proceeds go to The IRONMAN Foundation, which in turn makes donations to the organizations. The IRONMAN Foundation covers all administrative costs to ensure all monies raised will directly benefit the selected charities.

  
About The Ironman Foundation
The mission of The IRONMAN Foundation, Inc., a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) organization, is: “To leave the IRONMAN triathlon legacy through philanthropy, volunteerism and grant making, by supporting various athletic, community, education, health, human services and public benefit non-profit organizations around the world.” Since its inception in 2003, The IRONMAN Foundation has made philanthropic contributions of more than $11 million to numerous non-profit beneficiaries worldwide.

Ironman® is a registered trademark of the World Triathlon Corporation.  All Rights Reserved.