Posted: December 10, 2004

Triathlon: Ironman athletes raise more than $3.3 million dollars in 2004 through the Janus Charity Challenge

DENVER, Colo.-Ironman athletes raised more than $3.3 million dollars at Ironman events in 2004 through the Janus Charity Challenge program, a new record for the four-year old program.

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. Since the inception of the program back in 2001, the Janus Charity Challenge has raised more than $8.1 million for hundreds of nonprofit groups throughout the country.

One-hundred and seventy athletes participated in the program at the four Ironman North America full-distance U.S. events, as well as the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii; raising a total of $3,368,755.64.*

2004 also saw a new record for money raised at a single event, as Ironman athletes raised $1,099,756.83 at Ironman Wisconsin in early September.

“The success of this program is a tribute to the quality of Ironman athletes,” said Casey Cortese, sponsorship marketing director at Janus. “ Those who have taken our Challenge embody the true spirit of Ironman – that of commitment, tenacity and passion. As we move forward into 2005, our goal continues to be to engage more athletes in the program and remove any barriers to participation. At the end of the day, no matter how much money an athlete raises, every dollar makes a difference in the lives of others.”

The top five individual fundraisers in 2004 through the Janus Charity Challenge were as follows:

1. Bob Seemuth (Vancouver, Wash.)-Seemuth, 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. Seemuth was the top fundraiser at the 2004 Ironman Wisconsin Triathlon

2. Jim Yanoschik (Murrieta, Calif.) -a three-time Janus Charity Challenge participant, Yanoschik raised $183,015.00 for Rotaplast International, an organization whose mission is to provide free reconstructive surgery and treatment for underprivileged children worldwide, to provide education, and to advance research in the prevention of cleft lip and palate. Yanoschik was the top fundraiser at the 2004 Ironman USA Coeur d’Alene Triathlon

3. Tracy Lorenz (Algonquin, Ill.)-Lorenz raised $151,876.00 for SIDS of Illinois. Sudden Infant Death Services is dedicated to supporting family members and others who have been touched by the tragedy of SIDS, educating the public and professionals about support opportunities and eliminating SIDS through the support and implementation of medical research. Lorenz was the top fundraiser at the 2004 Ironman Florida Triathlon.

4. Gary Rodbell (Larchmont, N.Y.)-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. Rodbell was tied as the second place fundraiser at the 2004 Ironman Wisconsin Triathlon.

4. Brad Henderson (Wexford, Pa.)-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. Henderson was tied with Rodbell as the second-place fundraiser at the 2004 Ironman Wisconsin Triathlon.

All athletes who compete in Ironman North America full-distance U.S. events in 2005 are eligible to participate in the program. There is no registration fee, and no minimum fundraising requirement for participation. To help make the fundraising process less daunting, Janus has created a wide variety of fundraising support tools.

Also, 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.

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. Janus Capital Group also owns 30% of Perkins, Wolf, McDonnell and Company, LLC.

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

*preliminary totals. Results from Kona and Florida are still being verified.