The IRONMAN Foundation joins Absa Cape Epic as official charity

Press Release / 22.06.2017

The IRONMAN Foundation expands efforts to South Africa after providing over $50 million USD in charitable giveback since its inception.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa/TAMPA, Fla. (June 16, 2017) – The Absa Cape Epic® announced today the addition of The IRONMAN Foundation® to its Official Charity programme. As the world's premier mountain bike stage race, the Absa Cape Epic attracts the best mountain bikers from around the globe to the Western Cape of South Africa.

The Absa Cape Epic will now have five official charities, with The IRONMAN Foundation joining the Anna Foundation, the Cape Leopard Trust, the Laureus-Sport for Good Foundation, and Qhubeka.

"This is great news," said Kevin Vermaak, founder of the Absa Cape Epic. "We have a variety of things we look for when partnering with a charity, including that at its core, they make a sustained impact on local communities and the IRONMAN Foundation is a perfect fit."

"The IRONMAN Foundation is an organization that encourages athletes and volunteers to take part in programs that demonstrate service through sport and commitment to community. It has a track record of helping local communities in need, which is what it will be doing in the Western Cape."

The IRONMAN Foundation will make entries available for five teams of athletes to participate in the Absa Cape Epic. Those athletes will receive a VIP experience along with team registration to the event. Funds raised by The IRONMAN Foundation through these entries will then be donated back to organizations in the Western Cape region.  

"We are honored to be chosen as one of the Official Charity Partners for the Absa Cape Epic," said Whitney Staloch, IRONMAN Foundation Senior Manager of Fundraising and Development. "It is a fantastic opportunity to introduce mountain bike racing to IRONMAN® athletes while providing support for positive tangible change through local non-profit initiatives within the communities where this event occurs."

Interested athletes can learn more about The IRONMAN Foundation – Absa Cape Epic Team and how to register by visiting Team IMF – Absa Cape Epic or contacting whitney.staloch@ironman.com for more information.

For more information on IRONMAN and The IRONMAN Foundation, please visit www.ironman.com and www.ironmanfoundation.org.