World Bicycle Relief Shines at Ironman World Championships
In partnership with the Ironman Foundation, World Bicycle Relief reached thousands of athletes and fans at the recent Ironman World Championships in Kona. From riding Buffalo Bicycles at the Parade of Nations, to serving breakfast to athletes and pumping up the crowd at the event finish line, staff and volunteers from Ironman & World Bicycle Relief worked tirelessly to share the Power of Bicycles in Kona. A huge thanks goes out to all involved--check out our Thank You video!
To kick off the week, Ironman Foundation provided twelve World Bicycle Relief Buffalo Bicycles to Ironman employees for the week's activities. Kara Deschenes noted on the Ironman blog, “Use of the bicycles will make an impact on the local community in Kona and the Ironman organization by reducing the carbon footprint at the race, minimizing the need of additional rental cars and decreasing the demands of traffic in the community.” In addition, attendees were challenged to spot a Buffalo Bicycle, snap a pic with their mobile phone and post it online in efforts to win a World Bicycle Relief Kona 2012 Limited Edition t-shirt.
The Ironman Foundation also used the bikes to lead Team USA in the Parade of Nations, bringing even more attention to the cause.
A highlight of the event was the Athlete Welcome Dinner, attended by 5,000 people who all enjoyed a four minute video highlighting triathlete Jordan Rapp’s efforts for Team World Bicycle Relief. The video was followed by Ironman Foundation Director Dave Deschenes encouraging every person in attendance to support Jordan’s efforts because “most likely, your triathlon shoes cost more than a World Bicycle Relief bike.”
Deschenes also announced that the Ironman Foundation would match the next 10 bikes donated to World Bicycle Relief! Within an hour of Dave’s announcement, Ironman athletes and attendees had donated funds for 11 bikes!
Friday at Kona was Partner Day. Over 100 Ironman, SRAM, Quarq, Zipp, blueseventy, and Skratch Lab employees and fans wore limited edition World Bicycle Relief Kona t-shirts to show support and raise awareness for the Power of Bicycles.
The Ironman Foundation and World Bicycle Relief wrapped up the big competition with giveaways at the finish line as athletes and fans celebrated the completion of Ironman.
Finally, the Ironman Foundation attended and paid for WBR’s Breakfast with Champions on Sunday, a celebration event featuring triathletes Jordan Rapp and Mirinda Carfrae. The event was a perfect way to cap the week long festivities of the partnership.
Triathletes Mirinda Carfrae & Jordan Rapp (outside) with WBR staff Rebecca Much & Katie Bolling (center)
World Bicycle Relief is overjoyed at the incredible support we saw at Kona. A huge thank you to our supporters, partners, athletes, and fans alike and especially to the Ironman Foundation and Jordan Rapp who made it all possible (check out the vid below)! We are already counting down the days to Ironman 2013, where Buffalo Bicycles will be featured once again and this awesome partnership will continue to grow!
Read more about Ironman + World Bicycle Relief >
Help Jordan Rapp’s reach his goal >
See more photos from Ironman 2012 >
