Posted: September 29, 2005

Triathlon: Janus Charity Challenge tops $10 million at 2005 Ford Ironman Wisconsin

BOULDER, Colo.—The Janus Charity Challenge program crossed a milestone at the 2005 Ford Ironman Wisconsin. The program, which began in 2001, hit the $10 million mark at the Madison event.

The Janus Charity Challenge accomplished this remarkable feat with the help of 732 individuals who have competed for non-profit organizations at Ironman events in the past five years, with 52 athletes competing at the 2005 Ford Ironman Wisconsin held on Sept. 11. These 52 athletes raised $830,000 and put the Janus Charity Challenge over $10 million.

As presenting sponsor of Ironman North America events in the United States, Janus, the Denver-based investment management firm, created the Janus Charity Challenge to encourage athletes to use Ironman events as a way to raise money for their favorite nonprofit organizations.

The top fundraiser at the 2005 Ford Ironman Wisconsin was Sue Canevello (Green Oaks, Ill.) who raised $280,345.51 for the Equestrian Connection, a therapeutic riding center for disabled kids.

Canevello’s nonprofit will receive an additional $10,000 contribution from Janus, and she will also receive a complimentary entry in the Ironman North America race of her choice in the next 12 months.

All athletes who compete in Ironman North America full-distance U.S. events in 2005 and 2006 are eligible to participate in the program. For the top five individual fundraisers at each race, Janus will make a donation to their designated charity in the following amounts: First place, $10,000; second place, $8,000; third place, $6,000; fourth place, $4,000 and fifth place, $2,000. In addition, the top fundraiser at each race will have the entry fee waived for the Ironman North America race of his or her choice within the following 12 months.

Janus will also contribute $750 to the beneficiaries of the next highest 25 fundraisers (athletes must raise a minimum of $750 to qualify). The amount of fundraisers receiving awards will increase in 2006.

“The Janus Charity Challenge has been hugely successful in raising critical funds for nonprofit organizations throughout the country,” said Casey Cortese, director of community relations at Janus. “We are now placing more emphasis than ever on helping athletes understand the simplicity of the program to inspire greater participation.”

To make a donation or sign up for the Janus Charity Challenge, or for more information, log onto www.januscharitychallenge.com.

In total, just over $834,000 was raised at the 2005 Ford Ironman Wisconsin triathlon through the Janus Charity Challenge.

Top fundraiser: Sue Canevello raised $280,345.51 for the Equestrian Connection. Janus will also make an additional $10,000 donation to the organization.

2nd place: Craig Van Ess (East Grand Rapids, Mich.) raised $76,439.60 for Habitat for Humanity. Janus will also give an $8,000 donation to Habitat for Humanity.

3rd place: Tim Noonan (St. Louis, Miss.) raised $76,000 for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. Noonan’s efforts have brought an extra $6,000 contribution to his beneficiary.

4th place: Mike Sanchez (Chicago, Ill.) raised $68,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Janus will make an additional $4,000 donation to the L&L Society.

5th place: Megan Searfoss (Naperville, Ill.) raised $41,148.00 for the University of Chicago Hospital’s Section of Gastroenterology. Searfoss’ efforts have brought an extra $2,000 contribution to her beneficiary.

As the next top 25 fundraisers, the beneficiaries of the following athletes will receive an additional $750.00 contribution from Janus.

Richard Bishop, National Organization for Chronically Ill Kids
Wendy Brooks, Tri-ing for Childrens, Inc.
Brooke Burgess, Reach the Children
Colleen Capper, Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network of South Central Wisconsin
Lark Dunham, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 
Dave Hantz, Wisconsin Sports Foundation
Stephen Janowiak, Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation, Inc.
Taino Johnston, American Heart Association
Larry Kirch, National MPS Society
Jerry Landmark, Special Olympics Wisconsin
Eddy Mazur, Canines for Disabled Kids
Regis McGrath, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Kevin Nahigian, Fallen Patriots Fund
Thomas Pintar, Shad Ireland Foundation
John Rady, Tri-ing for Children's, Inc.
Ronald Rakos, Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis
JR Rosania, The Pat Tillman Foundation
Dan Royal, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Denver
Darren Steinhilber, American Red Cross
Kevin Sypolt, Tri-ing for Childrens, inc.
Todd Taranto, ALS Association
T.J. Varecka, Team Ortho Foundation
Jean Wangard, Tri-ing For Childrens
John Wolski, Disorders of Chromosome 16 Foundation
Jocelyn Wong, ACT Children's Camp

Although the following athletes were not among the top 30 fundraisers, Janus would like to commend their efforts by making a special $100 contribution to each of their beneficiaries.

Laurie Alioto, Madison Area Youth Special Olympics
Matt Bartz, Ridin' for Research, Inc.
Brad Culp, The Cradle
Charles Distad, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Scott Harris, the Lance Armstrong Foundation
Joseph Hensel, Challenged Athletes Foundation
Joseph Hensel, Christian Children's Fund
Dawn Keller, The Jane Goodall Institute
William Morrissey, St. Patrick High School
John Morse, Salesian Missions
Chris Propp, Special Olympics Wisconsin 
Sue Romens, Tri-ing For Children's
Meredith Rose, Cure Autism Now
Megan Sanders, Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer
Arthur Savery, United Warrior Survivor Foundation
Dawn Westin, Tri-ing for Childrens, Inc.
Jennifer Wischmeyer, Summer Search Seattle