Posted: April 26, 2007

Triathlon: Ironman Announces Fifth Annual Charitable eBay Auction To Benefit Ironman Foundation

Tarpon Springs, FL (April 26, 2007) – For a fifth consecutive year, Ironman will embark on its annual eBay auction, designed to benefit charitable organizations. In 2005, the Ironman Foundation surpassed its $1 million goal by raising more than $1.5 million through the auction for the construction of the first YMCA facility in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. In 2006 alone, Ironman donated more than $160,000 to deserving groups including C Different, The Pediatric Cancer Foundation and the Daniel Robert Sayre Memorial Foundation. This year’s eBay auction will begin on Sunday, April 29, at 12 p.m. EST with four coveted slots to this year’s Ford Ironman World Championship. The auction will include four phases with one slot available per week. The minimum bid for slots to the world’s most challenging endurance event, taking place on October 13, 2007, will start at $10,000. In addition to the opportunity to compete at the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, winners will also receive private athlete registration in Kona and four VIP packages, including race-day passes and invitations to race week functions. Funding for the eBay auction does not have to come from one source, fundraising efforts are acceptable. According to Ironman’s President and CEO, Ben Fertic, all funds are tax-deductible and all proceeds go to the Ironman Foundation, which will in turn make donations to the organizations. Ironman covers all administrative costs to ensure all monies raised will directly benefit the selected charities. More information on the specific charities benefiting from this year’s eBay auction will soon follow. Once the auction is underway, a link will be made available on www.ironman.co for easier accessibility.