In a weekend of resilience, inclusion, and community, the Challenged Athletes Foundation brought together athletes of all abilities, raising over $3.5 million to remove barriers to sports for individuals with physical challenges.

A Full Month of Fundraising and Impact

From October 15 through 24, 2021, the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) hosted its flagship events, bringing together athletes, supporters, and volunteers from around the world. The efforts culminated in a mission-filled weekend in Mission Bay, proving once again that sport has the power to transform lives.

The events included:

• Million Dollar Challenge: A 7-day, 640-mile cycling journey down California’s coast with 130 riders, raising $2.2 million to fund adaptive sports equipment, coaching, and competition expenses.

• Community Challenge powered by Strava: A virtual and in-person fundraising experience including the Aspen Medical Products San Diego Triathlon Challenge (SDTC), raising $1.3 million.

• EōS Fitness Tour de Cove: A three-hour stationary cycling marathon, generating $70,000 to benefit athletes with physical challenges.

Together, nearly 1,000 supporters participated in these events, enabling CAF to continue its 29-year mission of empowering individuals with permanent physical disabilities to live active and independent lives.

Mission Bay Becomes a Hub of Inclusion and Inspiration

This year, CAF relocated the Aspen Medical Products San Diego Triathlon Challenge to Mission Bay, where over 800 athletes of all abilities participated in a dynamic, family-friendly weekend. The triathlon has become CAF’s most recognized event—a celebration of strength, community, and possibility—welcoming everyone from first-time adaptive athletes to elite Paralympians.

The weekend’s highlights included:

• Kids Stretch and Kids Run: Led by San Diego Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove and CAF grant recipient Landis Sims, a young athlete born without hands and lower legs who has overcome barriers to play competitive baseball.

• Celebration of Abilities Awards: Recognizing athletes, partners, and volunteers who exemplify CAF’s mission.

• Adaptive Sports Clinics: Hands-on sessions in wheelchair basketball, adaptive cycling, swimming, and running, allowing athletes to try new sports and build skills alongside experienced coaches.

• Paralympian Appearances: More than 20 Paralympians fresh from the Tokyo Games shared their journeys, inspired future athletes, and demonstrated elite competition in action.

“We had a tremendous turnout this past weekend to see our mission in action and help support our future,” said Kristine Entwistle, Associate Executive Director of CAF. “We are so appreciative of our incredible fundraisers, global partners, sponsors, athletes, and volunteers who make it possible for even more athletes with physical challenges to gain access to sports.”

Transformational Stories from the Weekend

Beyond the impressive fundraising totals and athletic achievements, the Mission Bay weekend served as a platform for life-changing connections and personal breakthroughs:

• First-Time Triathletes: Many participants with physical challenges completed their first-ever swim, bike, or run event—supported by adaptive equipment and mentorship from seasoned athletes.

• Veteran Athletes: Injured military veterans from CAF’s Operation Rebound program competed alongside civilians, showcasing resilience and camaraderie.

• Paralympic Inspiration: Athletes who had recently represented Team USA shared their medals and stories with kids and families, planting seeds for the next generation of adaptive athletes.

For many, this weekend was not just a race—it was the first step toward reclaiming independence, confidence, and a lifelong connection to sport.

Why This Weekend Matters

The funds raised directly support CAF’s mission to:

• Provide adaptive sports equipment—such as running prosthetics, handcycles, and racing wheelchairs—that are rarely covered by insurance.

• Offer training and competition grants to help athletes pursue recreational and elite-level goals.

• Host adaptive sports clinics and mentorship programs to build skills and confidence.

CAF believes that when individuals with physical challenges gain access to sports, they gain more than physical ability—they gain community, independence, and a sense of limitless possibility.

Thank You to Our Partners and Sponsors

This weekend would not have been possible without the support of our dedicated partners, including:
Strava, Aspen Medical Products, EōS Fitness, Nike, Össur, 100%, Toyota, Headsweats, XTERRA Wetsuits, Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Lusardi Construction Company, Smoothie King, SDG&E, Union Bank, San Diego Padres, and many others who share our belief that everyone deserves access to sports.

CAF’s Community Challenge weekend in Mission Bay is more than a series of events—it’s a movement proving that together, we are stronger through sport.