CAF Gears Up for Life-Changing Signature Events in October
Registration Open for the Mazda Foundation Million Dollar Challenge, October 15-21, and Aspen Medical Products San Diego Triathlon Challenge, October 23
San Diego, CA – September 8, 2016 – The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) is eagerly anticipating the month of October with the arrival of two of its Signature Events, which are CAF’s largest fundraisers. The 11th annual Mazda Foundation Million Dollar Challenge will take place from October 15th to the 21st, 2016, and the 23rd annual Aspen Medical Products San Diego Triathlon Challenge will take place on October 23rd, 2016.
The Challenged Athletes Foundation hosts the annual events to celebrate empowering the athletic spirit in us all and support the organization’s mission. CAF provides opportunity and support to people with physical challenges, so they can pursue an active lifestyle through physical fitness and athletics. CAF believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life.
The Mazda Foundation Million Dollar Challenge is a seven-day, 620-mile journey down the breathtaking California coastline from San Francisco to San Diego. It’s a one-of-a-kind cycling event that raises over $1 million a year to support the organization’s mission. This epic experience is limited to 100 fundraising cyclists. The participants include celebrities, professional athletes and Team CAF supported challenged athletes, who enjoy an exclusive and fully supported ride through California’s most stunning coastal towns. The event combines first-class cycling support with a heart-pounding route all while riding alongside the motivating challenged athletes, who are conquering the same miles.
The Aspen Medical Products San Diego Triathlon Challenge, where able-bodied individuals and challenged athletes compete side-by-side to display the power of the human spirit, will gather more than 5,000 supporters, spectators and participants at La Jolla Cove on October 23rd. The one-day event also features the YMCA of San Diego County Tour de Cove, Kaiser Permanente Thrive-5K Fitness Walk Presented by Hanger Clinic, Philadelphia Insurance Kids’ Run, Össur Educational Zone and Wawanesa Family Fun Zone.
Dubbed the “Best Day in Tri,” 200 challenged athletes of all ages and abilities and 600 able-bodied athletes, including world-class athletes, sport legends and celebrities will conquer a 1-mile swim, 44-mile bike and 10-mile run.
Challenged Athletes Foundation CEO Ken Wheatley stated, “Whether you are a participant or spectator, everyone leaves empowered through the celebration of athletic spirit and ability. Funds raised will allow the Challenged Athletes Foundation to provide grants for adaptive sports equipment, training and competition expenses to challenged athletes around the world, and to support the organization’s mentoring programs and free sports clinics and camps.”
Registration for both events is open, with limited spots left, for the Mazda Foundation Million Dollar Challenge. Please visit www.challengedathletes.org to sign-up.
The Mazda Foundation Million Dollar Challenge sponsors include: Mazda Foundation, Tech Sgt. Jack Kushner Foundation, Sixteen Fifty Creative Intelligence, Qualcomm and Pirch.
The Aspen Medical Products San Diego Triathlon Challenge sponsors include: Aspen Medical Products, Össur Americas, Converse, Nike, Lusardi Construction Company, DJO Global, Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Wawanesa Insurance, Nytro Multisport, Mirum, Ashworth Awards, XTERRA Wetsuits, Kaiser Permanente, Accenture, Hanger Clinic, Headsweats, Wells Fargo, Eastridge Workforce Solutions, Sycuan Casino, VAVI, LAK Advertising, VDP Direct, Alphatec Spine, Union Bank and YMCA of San Diego County.
About the Challenged Athletes Foundation
The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) is a world leader in helping people with physical challenges lead active, healthy lifestyles. CAF believes that participation in physical activity at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life. Since 1994, more than $76 million has been raised and over 13,000 funding requests from people with physical challenges in all 50 states and dozens of countries have been satisfied. Additionally, CAF’s outreach efforts reach another 60,000 individuals each year. Whether it’s a $2,500 grant for a handcycle, helping underwrite a carbon fiber running foot not covered by insurance, or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar challenge, CAF’s mission is clear: give opportunities and support to those with the desire to live active, athletic lifestyles To learn more, visit challengedathletes.org or call 858-866-0959.
About the Mazda Foundation
Through the Mazda Foundation, Mazda and its employees are working together to proactively help our neighbors – and the communities where we live and work – to build a better, brighter future. With contributions exceeding $8 million since its founding in 1992, the Mazda Foundation is playing a meaningful role in helping thousands of Americans realize their aspirations and dreams. It’s also important to note that programs the Mazda Foundation supports range from children’s organizations and educational scholarships to food banks, environmental programs and crucial disaster relief efforts. To lean more, visit Mazdafoundation.org.
About Aspen Medical Products
Aspen Medical Products is a leader in the development of innovative spinal braces designed to improve patient outcomes by offering effective pain relief, patient comfort, motion restriction and stabilization as needed to support the patients’ continuum of care. Aspen’s commitment to clinical research is unparalleled in the orthotics community and has directly impacted product development resulting in the most effective spinal orthotics on the market. A comprehensive product offering, including numerous award winning products, has helped millions of patients get back to the activities they care about. Aspen is also a proud sponsor of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) for over 16 years and is the Title Sponsor of the Aspen Medical Products San Diego Triathlon Challenge. To learn more, visit aspenmp.com.