Posted: September 30, 2004

Triathlon: Ironman Wisconsin athletes raise more than $1,000,000 for charity through the Janus Charity Challenge

MADISON, Wisc.-Forty-four athletes who competed in the 2004 Ironman Wisconsin in mid-September raised a record $1,099,756.83 for charity through the Janus Charity Challenge program.

The total represents the most ever raised through the Challenge at a single Ironman event and brings the year’s total to more than $2.4 million dollars after three events (Ironman USA Coeur d’Alene, Ironman USA Lake Placid and Ironman Wisconsin) with two events, the Ironman World Championship and Ironman Florida remaining. Last year’s total of $2.5 million dollars raised in total at all five events will easily be bested in 2004.

As presenting sponsor of Ironman North America events in the United States, Janus Capital Group, the Denver-based investment management firm created the Janus Charity Challenge to encourage athletes to use Ironman North America events as a way to raise money for their favorite nonprofit organizations. In just over three years, the Janus Charity Challenge has raised more than $7.2 million for hundreds of nonprofit groups throughout the country.

The top fundraiser at Ironman Wisconsin was Bob Seemuth (New York, N.Y.) who raised $278,342.18 for the Center for Bioethical Reform, an organization working to establish prenatal justice and the right to life for the unborn, the disabled, the infirm, the aged and all vulnerable peoples through education and the development of cutting edge educational resources.

Janus Capital Group is proud to give an additional contribution of $10,000 to Seemuth’s nonprofit.

All athletes who compete in Ironman North America full-distance U.S. events in 2004 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. As a special bonus at Ironman Wisconsin, Janus made a one-time donation of $250 to all other participants in the Janus Charity Challenge who weren’t in the top 30 fundraisers as well.

“Janus continues to be extremely proud of this incredible partnership,” said Casey Cortese, sponsorship marketing director for Janus. “What the program has achieved in such a short time is truly amazing, and it only makes us aware of the tremendous untapped potential still in front of us. We hope one day a minimum of 10% of the field at each race embraces this chance to establish their own personal Ironman legacy.”

Based in Denver, Colorado, Janus Capital Group Inc. is a leading asset manager offering individual investors and institutional clients complementary asset management disciplines through the firm’s global distribution network. Janus Capital Group consists of Janus Capital Management LLC, Enhanced Investment Technologies LLC (INTECH), Bay Isle Financial LLC and Capital Group Partners.

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

Janus Charity Challenge Results-2004 Ironman Wisconsin

1st place- Bob Seemuth (Vancouver, Wash.) who has participated several times in the Janus Charity Challenge, raised $278,342.18 for the Center for Bioethical Reform, an organization working to establish prenatal justice and the right to life for the unborn, the disabled, the infirm, the aged and all vulnerable peoples through education and the development of cutting edge educational resources. Janus Capital Group donated an addition $10,000 for Seemuth’s efforts.
2nd place (tie) - Gary Rodbell has also been a Janus Charity Challenge athlete in the past. Rodbell supported the Barth Syndrome Foundation by raising $136,000. Barth Syndrome is a rarely understood, frequently fatal genetic disorder affecting boys. The Foundation's mission is to guide the search for a cure, to educate and support physicians and to create a caring community for affected families. Janus Capital Group donated an additional $8,000 for Rodbell’s efforts.
2nd place - Brad Henderson raised $136,000 for the Tommy Maddox Foundation. A fairly young nonprofit, the Tommy Maddox Foundation strives to reach children in need both physically and spiritually, bringing them hope when circumstances surrounding them are challenging. Janus Capital Group donated an additional $8,000 for Henderson’s efforts.
4th place - David Carlins raised $84,700 in support of Chicago Youth Programs, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the life opportunities and health of at-risk youth using a comprehensive approach aimed at developing their capabilities. Janus Capital Group donated an additional $4,000 for Carlins’ efforts.
5th place - Diana Schnell is another repeat Janus Charity Challenge athlete. She raised $61,161.63 for Equestrian Connection, a therapeutic riding center for individuals with special needs. Janus Capital Group donated an addition $2,000 for Schnell’s efforts.

The following athletes are all eligible for a $750.00 contribution to their beneficiary.

Michael Ambrosino-Cystic Fibrosis
Jim Barron-Allies Angels
Kevin Brewer-Clayton Memorial Foundation-Chris Ackerman
Gail Cookson-Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Tim Gillis-Phoenix Children’s Hospital (Funds designated to Camp Rainbow)
Mike Gotzler-Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Western WI Chapter
Colin Grove-Christ Presbyterian Church
Peter Hagen-Riverview School
Dave Hantz-Wisconsin Sports Foundation
Allen Kienbaum-Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
Tyler Marsh-Ronald McDonald House Iowa City
J. Chip McCall-Sunny Ridge Family Center, Inc.
Mark Mehler-Suicide Prevention Action Network USA
Karen Miller-Addison Student Participation Center
Andrew Rivera-School of St. Ann's
Peter Sauer-Delta Gamma Center for Children with Visual Impairments
Brad Seng-Mother & Unborn Baby Care
Mindy Soranno-Girls on the Run - Chicago
Rich Strauss-City of Hope
Dana Stutzman-ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Caryn Texler-Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Maryland
John Webster-Youth Opportunities Unlimited
Peter White-Assistance League of the Foothill Communities
John Wolski-Disorders of Chromosome 16 Foundation
James Yanoschik-Mervyn's/ Salvation Army Child Spree 2004
 

To express their gratitude for the amazing success and dedication to all of our participating athletes, Janus is pleased to extend a special one-time gift of $250.00 to each beneficiary of those who were not among the top 30 fundraisers at this race.

The following athletes will earn this contribution for their nonprofits:

Don Asher-Free Clinic of Wayne County
Ryan Byrne-MEDIC - UW Foundation
Colleen Capper-Gay/Lesbian/Straight Educators Network of Southwest Wisconsin
Steve DePalma-Jersey Battered Women's Service
Doug Johnson-Make-A-Wish Minnesota
Jerry Landmark-Special Olympics Wisconsin
Andrea Lundeen-Magis Clinic - Creighton University
John Morse-Good Shepherd Nursery School
George Ostrander-The Regents of the University of Michigan
Michael Pelgorsch-Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Wisconsin
Melissa Putzer-Lance Armstrong Foundation 
Anita Sanders-Challenged Athlete Foundation
Trey Stolz-Children's Hospital
Kris Swarthout-Lance Armstrong Foundation

In all 44 athletes raised $1,099,756.83 at the 2004 Ironman Wisconsin triathlon-a new Janus Charity Challenge record!