Posted: July 19, 2006

Triathlon: From the Baseball Field to the Lava Fields

President of Florida Marlins to Compete in 2006 Ford Ironman World Championship

July 19, 2006 – President of the Florida Marlins Major League Baseball Team, David Samson, will compete in the 2006 Ford Ironman World Championship. On October 21, Samson, 38, will join more than 1,800 athletes in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, for the world’s most prestigious and challenging endurance event.

The Ford Ironman World Championship consists of a 2.4 Mile swim, 112 Mile bike and a 26.2 Mile run. Athletes are tested both mentally and physically as they attempt the three disciplines, in succession, through scorching temperatures and gusting winds over the duration of up to 17 hours.

Samson’s interest in Ironman started in 1995 after watching the NBC broadcast of the Ironman World Championship. Moved to tears, Samson was inspired by what he saw and ran the New York City marathon in 1996, 1999 and 2002. Following his 2002 marathon, he set his sights on becoming a triathlete and completed his first triathlon in May at the Ford Ironman Florida 70.3 in Orlando, Fla.

“Testing the full limits of my mind and body, while raising awareness of the world’s most magnificent individual sport is a challenge I eagerly anticipate,” said Samson. “I am also taking this opportunity to raise significant money for two very important charities. I can’t wait to fulfill a lifelong dream of breaking the tape in Kona.”

Samson, one of only seven current presidents in Major League Baseball who has presided over a World Series Championship, will not only compete in this year’s race to earn the illustrious Ironman title, but also to raise money and awareness for two charities, the Florida Marlins Community Foundation and the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

The Florida Marlins Community Foundation was established in 1999 as a not-for-profit charitable organization to promote educational, athletic, health, social and community service programs with a particular focus on South Florida’s youth. Samson will also raise money for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the official charity for Major League Baseball and the Florida Marlins.

The Challenged Athletes Foundation, CAF, was founded through a desire to assist athlete Jim Maclaren, who was paralyzed from the neck down in a car accident. Since its inception in 1994, CAF has raised more than $8 million and has funded requests from challenged athletes in all 50 states and 10 countries. The Foundation provides equipment, mentoring and support to people with physical disabilities to ensure they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics.

Samson is in his fifth year as President of the Florida Marlins and oversees all aspects of the team’s day-to-day business operations, including sales, marketing and operations. Under his leadership, the Florida Marlins have increased attendance, ticket sales and sponsorship. Samson also serves as the President of the Florida Marlins Community Foundation. Repeatedly recognized for his many professional accomplishments, Samson was named one of Sports Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40” in 2003 and 2004.

The Florida Marlins started play in Major League Baseball’s National League East Division in 1993 and have since won a remarkable two World Series Championships. The Marlins’ first title came in 1997 and their latest in 2003. Florida Marlins, L.P. are based out of Miami, FL and have been owned by Jeffrey H. Loria since February 2002.

To learn more about the Challenged Athletes Foundation, visit www.challengedathletes.org. For more information on the Florida Marlins Community Foundation, contact community@marlins.mlb.com.

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