Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i - The IRONMAN Foundation® Community Fund will give $128,000 in grant funding to non-profit groups on the Hawai`i Island during the 2012 IRONMAN race season. Over the years, The IRONMAN Foundation has provided more than $800,000 to local non-profit groups and charitable initiatives on the Island of Hawai`i, and this year is no different. Since the inception of The IRONMAN Foundation, more than 12 million dollars has been donated globally.

The IRONMAN Foundation will donate a major grant of $60,000 to Kailua-Kona, the host location of the IRONMAN World Championship, to fund the restoration of the Maka`eo Event Pavilion, which has been a popular venue within the community for decades. This grant will provide funds to make improvements to beautify this keystone location, so that many can enjoy it for years to come. The Maka`eo Event Pavilion is the site for town meetings, cultural events and family celebrations within Kailua-Kona. In addition to the major grant, The IRONMAN Foundation will donate an additional $68,000 in grant funding to the Kailua- Kona community. These grants will go to various local non-profit groups in the community, to assist and support the groups' initiatives.

In addition to allocating funds back to the Island of Hawai'i, The IRONMAN Foundation provides athletes with the platform to fundraise for a non-profit beneficiary of their choice, while they train and compete in IRONMAN events throughout the U.S. There are 13 athletes who have qualified to participate in the IRONMAN World Championship, who are also participating in The IRONMAN Foundation's "Your Journey, Your Cause" program during the Oct. 13 event. These athletes have been touched by something greater than themselves and are fundraising to make their race experience more than just crossing the finish line, they are racing for a cause. Collectively they have raised over $500,000 for their respective causes.

About IRONMAN
The iconic IRONMAN® Series of events is the largest participation sports platform in the world. Since the inception of the IRONMAN® brand in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines at the world's most challenging endurance races. Recognized for excellence through distinguished events, world-class athletes and quality products, World Triathlon Corporation (d/b/a IRONMAN), owner and operator of the IRONMAN® Series, has grown from owner of a single race to a global sensation with nearly 190 events across five unique brands: IRONMAN®, IRONMAN 70.3®, 5150TM Triathlon Series, Iron Girl® and IronKids®. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.

About The IRONMAN Foundation
Since its inception in 2003, The IRONMAN Foundation® has made philanthropic contributions of more than 12 million dollars to numerous non-profit beneficiaries worldwide. The mission of The IRONMAN Foundation is: To leave IRONMAN's legacy through philanthropy, voluntarism and grant making; by supporting various athletic, community, education, health, human services and public benefit non-profits organizations around the world. The IRONMAN Foundation is a US registered 501(c)(3). For more information, please contact info@IRONMANfoundation.org.