USA Triathlon Foundation Partners with Professional Triathletes Organisation, CHALLENGE DAYTONA on COVID-19 Triathlon Relief Fund

November 19, 2020

“10 Days to Daytona” prize drawing, PTO Championship livestream will raise funds for COVID-19 relief

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. —The USA Triathlon Foundation, in partnership with the Professional Triathletes Organisation, today announced the launch of a COVID-19 Triathlon Relief Fund leading into the PTO 2020 Championship at CHALLENGE DAYTONA®,taking place next month in Daytona Beach, Florida. Donations contributed to the COVID-19 Triathlon Relief Fund will be used to support those in the global triathlon community who have been affected most from the pandemic — including race directors, coaches, clubs and athletes who have experienced financial hardship in the U.S., UK and around the world.

CHALLENGE DAYTONA® is set for Dec. 4-6 at Daytona International Speedway®. The weekend includes races for age-group athletes, paratriathletes and youth, ending with the marquee event of the weekend, the $1,150,000 PTO 2020 Championship, scheduled for Dec. 6.

World famous triathletes from past and present including Jan Frodeno, Dave Scott, Daniela Ryf, Mark Allen and Lucy Charles are donating their time and merchandise in a global prize draw called ’10 Days to DAYTONA®,’ which will offer over 50 triathlon prizes between Nov. 26-Dec. 5 in aid of the COVID-19 Triathlon Relief Fund. Every day for 10 days leading up to the PTO 2020 Championship, five unique prizes will be up for grabs with the five lucky winners of each day’s prize draw selected at random. In addition to once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to engage directly with legends like Frodeno, Scott and Ryf, tens of thousands of dollars of unique prizes — from NormaTec recovery boots to VIP race experiences — have been donated by PTO Professionals, sponsors, USA Triathlon, British Triathlon, Challenge Family, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Active.com and many more.

Fans will also have the opportunity to donate to the COVID-19 Triathlon Relief Fund as part of the livestream broadcast. Since triathlon is truly a global sport, but lives at the grassroots level, use of the donations will be targeted to the countries or regions designated by the donor. Proceeds from U.S. donors will be routed to the USA Triathlon Foundation, which will then distribute grants to eligible members of the U.S. multisport community who have experienced financial strain during COVID-19. Funds raised in the UK will be distributed to eligible members of the multisport community in the UK and similarly, funds will be distributed to eligible members of the multisport community in the country where the donation was received. To learn more about the USA Triathlon Foundation’s ongoing COVID-19 relief efforts, visit usatriathlonfoundation.org.

Charles Adamo, Executive Chairman of PTO commented, “The PTO and our PTO Professionals have united around the world to support our global triathlon community in these difficult times. We have worked with National Governing Bodies as well as race organizers to find ways to help. With many races cancelled, the PTO has reached out and supported 14 local races in 11 different countries.  Many sports rely on major events like the US Open or Wimbledon to fund grassroots activity. While that is the long-term vision of the PTO, given the impact of the pandemic on our triathlon community, we wanted to use the PTO 2020 Championship as a platform to provide much needed assistance. The PTO 2020 Championship is a great opportunity to bring our worldwide triathlon family together and support one another.”

Tim O’Donnell, PTO Board Member and Co-President, commented, “2020 has been a difficult year for everyone. Thankfully, PTO Professionals have been able to weather the storm better than most by the support they received when the PTO paid out over $2,500,000 to 200 professionals earlier in the year. Many in our community have not had this type of support, so PTO Professionals wanted to find a way to ‘pay it forward.’ The PTO 2020 Championship is a great opportunity for PTO Professionals to engage the triathlon community and provide a platform for people to lend a helping hand to those in need. The PTO 2020 Championship will be the race of a lifetime. While we will all be competing furiously, it is good to know that at the same time we are providing some help to others.”

Dave Deschenes, Executive Director, USA Triathlon Foundation stated, “We are thankful to the PTO and their Professionals for their support. Professional athletes are ‘paying it forward’ by doing what they do best — delivering incredible race performances that inspire through their athleticism and talent. By harnessing the promotion of this major event, the PTO, the PTO Professionals and the team at CHALLENGE DAYTONA®, will create much needed funds to support triathlon related causes all over the world.”

William Christy, CHALLENGE NORTH AMERICA CEO, added, “The PTO 2020 Championship at CHALLENGE DAYTONA® is set to be THE racing spectacle of 2020 with the most competitive field assembled in the history of the sport. We are thrilled that in partnering with the PTO and USA Triathlon Foundation, we harness the ever-growing popularity to support those in need.”

Entry for the prize drawing will open Tuesday, Nov. 24, at championship.protriathletes.org.

The PTO 2020 Championship CHALLENGE DAYTONA® will be the highlight of the year and will see the world’s top triathletes competing for a $1,150,000 prize purse. The race will be available for viewing on a number of worldwide broadcast platforms, which the PTO will be announcing shortly.

 About USA Triathlon

USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 events and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Triathlon Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of World Triathlon and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).

About the USA Triathlon Foundation

The USA Triathlon Foundation was created in 2014 by the USA Triathlon Board of Directors as an independent tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entity. Under the leadership of its Trustees and Committee members, the Foundation serves as a means to create a healthier America through triathlon and seeks to transform lives by opening up new pathways to the sport for all, especially those who are otherwise underserved. The USA Triathlon Foundation operates with the belief that every child should have the chance to participate, every paratriathlete should have the opportunity to compete, and every aspiring elite athlete should be able to chase his or her Olympic dream. Since the Foundation’s inception, more than $1.9 million has been provided to worthy causes and organizations that support its mission. Donations to the USA Triathlon Foundation ensure America’s youth are introduced to the benefits and fun of a multisport lifestyle, athletes with disabilities receive the training, support and gear to be able to participate and excel, and the best aspiring young athletes have a chance to pursue their Olympic Dreams. Visit usatriathlonfoundation.org to learn more and donate today.

About The Professional Triathletes Organisation

The Professional Triathletes Organisation is a not-for-profit entity representing the body of professional triathletes and seeks to showcase the passion, talents, determination, struggles and achievements of the dedicated professionals who strive to realize the highest levels of the sport and inspire all those who are a part of the triathlon community.

About CHALLENGE DAYTONA

Are you ready to swim, bike, and run at the “World Center of Racing®”? From December 4th- 6th, 2020, Daytona International Speedway will welcome triathletes and triathlon fans from around the world to CHALLENGE DAYTONA. The Daytona race made its debut on the CHALLENGE FAMILY calendar in 2018 as a USA Triathlon-sanctioned event. Named “Best New Race” 2018 by Triathlete Magazine, the entire festival of events will take place at the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, home of “The Great American Race®”—the DAYTONA 500®. www.challenge-daytona.com

– usatriathlon.org –