CAF Auctioning Off Entry To Ironman World Championship

The Challenged Athletes Foundation is auctioning off an entry to the Ironman World Championship at its annual gala, and you don’t have to be present to win.

See the complete press release from CAF below:

The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), a world leader in helping individuals with physical challenges get involved and stay involved in sports, announced today they will auction a coveted slot to the Ironman World Championship at CAF’s sixth annual “A Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope gala” in New York City on June 13.  The winning bidder (or his/her designee) may compete in either 2012 or 2013 at the Ironman World Championship, organized and conducted by the World Triathlon Corporation, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.  Proceeds from the auction will help fund the purchase of adaptive sports equipment, training and competition expenses and mentoring for physically challenged athletes so they can get involved – and stay involved in life-affirming sports.

“We are excited to offer this prestigious opportunity thanks to our continued partnership with the World Triathlon Corporation,” said Virginia Tinley, Executive Director of the Challenged Athletes Foundation. “Through this event CAF can fulfill the athletic dreams of challenged athletes around the world; therefore, it is quite fitting that through this auction item, one of our supporter’s dreams can also come true.”

Interested parties can bid on the coveted slot in one of two ways:

– In person, by purchasing a ticket for A Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope. Visit Heroesheartandhope.com to learn more.

– By downloading and completing a proxy bid form at Challengedathletes.org/gala. Once completed can be scanned and emailed to Nicole@challengedathletes.org. Proxy bid forms will be accepted through 5pm (PST) on Tuesday, June 12. The minimum opening bid for proxy bidders is $20,000 and during the live auction, bids will be made in increments of $1,000 until the bidder’s maximum bid is reached.

The winning bidder must have completed a full distance Ironman, Ironman 70.3 or other long-distance triathlon prior to the race date and is required to submit a completed athlete waiver to Ironman. A complete list of auction rules can be found at Challengedathletes.org.

A Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope is an annual gala dinner held at the historic Waldorf Astoria to raise funds for – and awareness of – physically challenged athletes. This first class event features inspiring presentations, celebrity guests and the opportunity to connect with more than 25 challenged athletes. A Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope is an unforgettable evening for a great cause. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit Heroesheartandhope.com.