Janus Charity Challenge raises more than $750,000 at 2005 Ford Ironman Florida

BOULDER, Colo.- The Janus Charity Challenge program raised more than $750,000 for non-profit organizations at the 2005 Ford Ironman Florida held on Nov. 5 in Panama City Beach, Fla.

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 Florida was Brad Henderson (Wexford, Penn.) who raised $282,038.00 for the Leadership Foundations of America.

Henderson’s nonprofit will receive an additional $10,000 contribution from Janus, and he will also receive a complimentary entry in the Ironman North America race of his 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 athletes raising money for the Janus Charity Challenge in Florida were faced with an unique challenge,” said Casey Cortese, director of community relations at Janus. “In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, fundraising for non-relief based causes has been difficult at best. I applaud all of them for the fortitude and tenacity they showed. What a fantastic way to end a very successful year for the program.”

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

In total, $755,116.93 was raised at the 2005 Ford Ironman Florida Triathlon through the Janus Charity Challenge.

Top fundraiser: Brad Henderson raised $282,038.00 for the Leadership Foundations of America. Janus will also make an additional $10,000 donation to the organization.

2nd place: Jim Yanoschik (Murrieta, Calif.) raised $190,845.69 for Rotaplast International. Janus will also give an $8,000 donation to Rotaplast International.

3rd place: Tyson Ray (Elkhorn, Wisc.) raised $40,100.00 for the Timber Lee Camps. Ray’s efforts have brought an extra $6,000 contribution to his beneficiary.

4th place: Steven Kramer (Duluth, Minn.) raised $26,064.55.00 for the LSS/Bethany Crisis Nursery. Janus will make an additional $4,000 donation to the Crises Nursery.

5th place: Sharon Sheremeta (Bellingham, Wash.) raised $24,528.80 for the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation. Sheremeta’s 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.

Gary Anderson, Read Aloud International
Don Asher, People to People
Tim Chatterley, Florida Hospital Cancer Institute
Rick Cote, Health Science Center Foundation of Syracuse, Inc.
Robert Falk, Whitman Walker Clinic
Scott Fleming, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area
Michael Ham, Children's Miracle Network
Tim Hutchinson, Louisiana Scottish Rite Foundation
Scott Johnson, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Marijo Kraisinger, Kids Beating Cancer, Inc.
Marijo Kraisinger, Florida Hospital Foundation (Children's Hospital)
Pat LaFontaine, Companions in Courage
Ignacio Marquez, AIDS FOUNDATION HOUSTON
John Morse, HDSA Indiana Chapter
Anita Sanders, Village Church of Lincolnshire
Michelle Shoresman, Enhancement, Inc.
Robert Taylor, Prostate Cancer Foundation
Sean Truchard, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Alexandria Wiercigroch, Best Friends Catnippers
Alexandria Wiercigroch, Happy Strays Rescue

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.

Carl Johnson, Brenner Children's Hospital
Jim Moseley, Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation
Emily Oleksiuk, The Neuropathy Association
David Vialard, River Oaks Elementary PTO
Jeffrey Weaver, Racing For Recovery