Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid athletes raise more than $400,000 through the Janus Charity Challenge

BOULDER, Colo.—Thirty-four athletes who competed in the 2005 Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid in July raised more than $419,000 for non-profit organizations through the Janus Charity Challenge.

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.

Since the inception of the program back in 2001, the Janus Charity Challenge has raised more than $9.6 million for hundreds of nonprofit groups throughout the country.

The top fundraiser at the 2005 Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid was Rachel Butler (Lake Placid, N.Y.) who raised $87,585 for the Adirondack Experience, which helps disadvantaged and visually impaired youth by blending traditional counseling with adventure-based activities.

Butler’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 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.

Janus will also contribute $750 to the beneficiaries of the next highest 25 fundraisers (athletes must raise a minimum of $750 to qualify). 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.

“We are thrilled by the accomplishments of the athletes who participated in the Janus Charity Challenge", said Casey Cortese, director of community relations for Janus. "It is incredibly exciting to have athletes use their Ironman race as a platform for improving communities across the United States.”

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 $419,000 was raised at the 2005 Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid triathlon through the Janus Charity Challenge.

1st place: Rachel Butler (Lake Placid, N.Y) raised $87,585 for the Adirondack Experience. Janus will also make an additional $10,000 donation to the organization.

2nd place: Melissa Thomas (Magnolia, Texas) raised $64,097 for the VHL Family Alliance. Thomas’ beneficiary will receive an $8,000 donation from Janus.

3rd place: Daniel Rose (Fairfield, Conn.) raised $35,000 for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Rose’s efforts have also brought an extra $6,000 contribution to his beneficiary.

4th place: John Steigerwald (Larchmont, N.Y) raised $30,000 for the Direction for Our Youth. Janus will make an additional $4,000 donation to Direction for Our Youth.

5th place: Frank Tantillo (New York, N.Y.) raised $24,000.00 for the Alan T Brown Foundation to Cure Paralysis. Tantillo’s efforts have brought an extra $2,000 contribution to his beneficiary.

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

Jeffrey Benoit, American Diabetes Association
Adam Craft, Alex’s Lemonade Stand
Matthew Donaldson, Chase Wildlife Foundation
Matthew Donaldson, EBD Adoption Institute
Eddie Garrott, Shaohannah’s Hope
Curt Girod, Junior Achievement
Jim Hawkins, Crossroads of Rhode Island
Brad Henry, Cure Autism Now
Russell Jackson, Ecumenical Community Food Pantry of Norwood, Inc.
Scott Johnson, Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund
Jason Maier, Indiana University Medical Center
Greg Moriates, American Cancer Society
Michael Nagel, John J. Wielgus Hospice Foundation Memorial Fund
Jeff O’Hara, Child Watch of North America
Andy Riemer, West Shore Pregnancy Care Center
Bill Shashaty, The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation
Anne Spillane, EQUIKIDS
David Stakel, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
John Steigerwald, Institute for Comprehensive Neurotherapy
Randall Uram, Camp Sunshine
Bruce Walsh, The MBF Center
Wayne Warrington, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Christine Webb, Gilda’s Club – Cancer Action
Michael Weber, Chrohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America
Joe Yorio, Special Operations Warrier Foundation
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.
Christopher Cavellerano, The GIFT Foundation
Glen Clark, Kisses for Katie Foundation
Steve Gangemi, The Autism Treatment Center of America
Larry Gillet, Cancer Research Institute
Lee Miller, Kristen Ann Carr Fund