Social Ironman rakes in more than R$ 33 thousand
08/05/2008 - MBraga Comunicação

São Paulo – Besides being the biggest triathlon event in Latin America the event also shows the strength of its social side. Social Ironman has put together an auction of 50 extra slots, with the aim of raising funds to help with the work carried out by the Association of Parents and Friends of the Handicapped (APAE) in Florianópolis. This charitable action matched the success of the competition, and the organisers made no less than R$ 33,501.89 that shall be passed on to this institution, that has been in operation for 43 years and serves some 400 handicapped people in the capital of the state of Santa Catarina. The handing over of the sum collected in the auction shall take place at the opening of the Fair of Hope (Feira da Esperança), which shall take place this coming Wednesday, in Florianópolis, and shall be made by the General Director of this event, Carlos Galvão.

Ironman Brazil 2008 shall take place on 25 May, starting at 7 a.m., in Jurerê International and shall have 1,250 competitors from 44 different countries, a new record for the event, with six countries participating for the first time: Bangladesh, Cuba, the Philippines, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands Antilles. At this event, 50 slots are up for grabs to participate in the final of the World Ironman in Hawaii, in October, divided into amateur and professional divisions, as well as a prize of 50 thousand American Dollars for the best professionals in the men’s and women’s divisions. This event shall comprise 3.8 km of swimming, 180 km cycling and a full marathon of 42.1 km running.

In what was an unprecedented action in this event, in a move to integrate sports and the community, the last 50 slots in the event were auctioned by the organisers through the Ebay website, with the opening bid being set at US$ 400,00 which is exactly the signing-up fee for the Latin American qualifier for the World Event. The proposed use of the money collected was to help the work of this organisation, which has been operating for 43 years and now serves some 400 handicapped people. The result achieved shows the strength of the event as well as the solidarity spirit expressed by the Ironman Brazil community.

“We are very happy with the sum raised. This year we reached the technical limit of participants well before we expected, showing the consolidation of this event in Florianópolis and, for this reason, we decided to open a further 50 berths on the starting line-up. The auction gave a chance for those athletes who missed the sign-up deadline and also gave a great example, on supporting a very worthy cause. Florianópolis’ APAE does a great job and the recognition was verified by the auction’s success. Thus, we hope to show our thanks to this city which is also responsible for the success achieved by Ironman Brazil”, explains Carlos Galvão, the General Director of the event and also of Latin Sports, the organisers of Ironman Brazil.

The official events shall all be held at the Doze de Agosto Club, starting on the 21st with the opening of the Expo Ironman exhibition, as well as the traditional pasta dinner on the 23rd. On the big day, the 25th, activities start at 4.30 a.m., with the painting of the athletes, the distribution of Special Needs bags (cycling and running) and access to the transition area. At 7 a.m., there shall be the start of the race for amateurs and professionals, with the arrival of the men’s winner expected for around 3.30 p.m. The race will close at midnight. The following day, on the 26th, there shall be the confirmation of the vacancies, at 9 a.m., and then at noon the event shall be wrapped up with the prize-giving ceremony followed by lunch.