Yesterday 4 members of Team L.I.F.E. competed in the Ironman Wisconsin: Chris Clausen, Mike McLean, Randy Youngs, and Anna Laatsch. Â Their places and finish times are listed below. Â There were many, many spectators out there, and tons of volunteers helping to make sure athletes could get through the day. Â A total of $14,234 was raised this year for Mike’s entry in the Janus Charity Challenge, which was 3rd place among the athletes competing. Â Taking 3rd place means that Janus will match $6,000 of those donations, which means over $20,000 will have been raised for L.I.F.E.! Â Thanks again to everyone, and congratulations to Chris, Mike, Randy, and Anna!!
Chris Clausen – #260 – 115th place overall, 10th place division – 10:32:31
Mike McLean – #71 – 232nd place overall, 22nd place division, 11:05:02
Randy Youngs – #370 – 243rd place overall, 23rd place division – 11:07:13
Anna Laatsch – Â #2219 – 1408th place overall, 13th place division – 13:37:25
| BIB NUMBER | OVERALL PLACE | TOTAL TIME | LAST NAME | FIRST NAME | RACE DIVISION | DIVISION PLACE | SWIM OVR PLACE | SWIM TIME | T1 | BIKE DIV PLACE | BIKE OVR PLACE | BIKE TIME | BIKE PACE |
| 260 | 115 | 10:32:31 | Clausen | Christopher | M25-29 | 10/186 | 155 | 1:02:26 | 6:38 | 15 | 145 | 5:28:59 | 20.4 |
| 71 | 232 | 11:05:02 | Mclean | Michael | M25-29 | 22/186 | 187 | 1:03:46 | 6:02 | 21 | 197 | 5:32:56 | 20.2 |
| 370 | 243 | 11:07:13 | Youngs | Randy | M25-29 | 23/186 | 569 | 1:11:31 | 6:04 | 34 | 296 | 5:40:37 | 19.7 |
| 2219 | 1408 | 13:37:25 | Laatsch | Anna | W18-24 | 13/25 | 2302 | 1:39:45 | 12:28 | 12 | 1625 | 6:47:28 | 16.5 |
| BIB NUMBER | OVERALL PLACE | TOTAL TIME | LAST NAME | FIRST NAME | RACE DIVISION | T2 | RUN DIV PLACE | RUN OVR PLACE | RUN TIME | RUN PACE |
| 260 | 115 | 10:32:31 | Clausen | Christopher | M25-29 | 3:20 | 17 | 184 | 3:51:10 | 8:50 |
| 71 | 232 | 11:05:02 | Mclean | Michael | M25-29 | 5:17 | 44 | 487 | 4:17:04 | 9:49 |
| 370 | 243 | 11:07:13 | Youngs | Randy | M25-29 | 3:02 | 30 | 346 | 4:06:01 | 9:24 |
| 2219 | 1408 | 13:37:25 | Laatsch | Anna | W18-24 | 7:52 | 9 | 996 | 4:49:54 | 11:04 |
Established in 2001, the Janus Charity Challenge encourages Ironman triathletes to raise money for the nonprofit organization of their choice. The program provides the triathletes with an online fundraising system, fundraising tips and publicity support to help them raise money. Janus makes additional donations, totaling more than $300,000 per year, to the nonprofit beneficiaries chosen by the top fundraiser at each of the seven Ironman races it sponsors.
As of 2007, the Janus Charity Challenge has raised approximately $18 million since the program’s inception, according to Casey Cortese, Director of Corporate Sponsorships at Janus. “Ironman athletes are incredibly dedicated, so it’s no surprise that they’re so committed to helping people in need,” Cortese said.
The program reached another important milestone in 2006 when Brad Henderson of Wexford, Penn., became the first athlete to raise more than $1 million for a single event. “The Janus Charity Challenge provides me an opportunity to turn my passion for triathlons into something that makes a positive impact in the lives of so many people,” Henderson said. In the months leading up to October’s Ford Ironman(R) World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, Henderson raised $1.03 million for the Leadership Foundation of America and another $100,000 for the Challenged Athletes Foundation.
North America Sports, Inc. manages five Ironman(R) races affiliated with The Janus Charity Challenge. Graham Fraser, CEO of North America Sports, says the program helps participants raise the race experience to a higher level. “The Janus Charity Challenge athletes generate much-needed funds for hundreds of nonprofit organizations across the country – and we’re proud to partner with Janus to make that happen,” said Fraser.
