MEDIA RELEASE

They posted videos, you voted and our judges made their decisions. Here are the eight winners of the Kona Inspired Program.

There were more than 2.3 million views of the 105 video entries to the Kona Inspired program. The eight winners received more than 44,500 votes from the Ironman community.

BRADY MURRAY
Story: Orphans With Down syndrome
Round 1: Winner – Community Vote
Link: http://bit.ly/M7NzsH

Brady is a father of a son with Down syndrome. His motivation to be an Ironman is to help find families for the hundreds of children with Down syndrome currently living in orphanages and mental institutions. Brady recently completed Ironman St. George. He races for Reece’s Rainbow and RODS Racing who advocate adoption of children with Down syndrome. Brady completed his first Ironman this year, Ironman St. George with a time of 12:26:19.

ANNEE DEERING
Story: Childhood Abuse
Round 1: Winner – Community Vote
Link: http://bit.ly/NX98A3

Annee has decided to open up and tell a very personal story for the first time, in an effort to show other women, and the entire world, that Anything IS Possible. Battling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at a very young age, she utilized the sport of Triathlon to help heal herself from the difficult after-effects of childhood Sexual Abuse. Today she has reached a place where sport is her therapy. Annee finished her first Ironman, Ironman Coeur d’Alene with a time of 12:17:17

MIKE THOMPSON
Story: Childhood Leukemia Survivor
Round 2: Winner – Community Vote
Link:http://bit.ly/KSD7oe

When Mike was a young boy he was diagnosed with an acute type of leukemia. He endured 75 surgeries, 2 bone marrow transplants and a 12 and a half hour facial reconstruction surgery. Mike says “I believe life is truly a gift and every day should be celebrated.” Mike celebrates life by training for Ironman events and defying what doctors told him would be impossible.

HEATHER WAJER
Story: Lost Mom to ALS
Round 2: Winner – Community Vote
Link: http://bit.ly/O3bDNL

After Heather lost her mom to ALS and “hit bottom”, she created a whole new life by losing half of her body weight (157 lbs!), getting sober and living the Ironman lifestyle. Heather’s Ironman journey began when she watched Jon Blais race Kona in 2005 after being diagnosed with ALS. He gave her hope and inspired her to believe that anything is possible. She entered for the chance to race Kona in memory of her mom and Jon… “so that others may live.”

BETHANN TELFORD
Story: Battling Brain Cancer
Round 3: Winner – Community Vote
Link: http://bit.ly/Pa3mhh

BethAnn is a marathon runner, Ironman, and survivor. Her dream is to compete at Kona, and the time is now. She is still battling brain cancer, but ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. Through her battle with brain cancer she has had two brain surgeries, learned to stand, walk and run again. She also founded TeamBT, which raises money for others with brain cancer.

SHAY ESKEW
Story: Burn Victim
Round 3: Winner – Community Vote
Link: http://bit.ly/P662LB

Shay says he IS “Kona Inspired.” When Shay was a young boy he and his friend were accidentally lit on fire. He remembered to stop, drop and roll and also managed to save his friend’s life. Both boys were severely burnt. Shay describes his story as different than most saying he has never settled for being average. His goal is not to “just finish” Kona but to be the fastest burn survivor in the World by finishing under 10 hrs.

MOLLI SERRANO
Story: Pancreatic Cancer Survivor
Wild Card: Judging Panel Pick
Link: http://bit.ly/KTt8yW

Molli has endured, against the odds and faced with pancreatic cancer. She was guided in no small part by a beacon we call Ironman. Molli has been competing in triathlon for more than 15 years and has completed several Ironman events. During her radiation treatments she would ride with her radiation pack in the back of her bike jersey, with one thing on her mind… getting to Kona.

ROB VERHELST
Story: Firefighter
Wild Card: Judging Panel Pick
Link:http://bit.ly/KSDsqJ

Rob is a firefighter from Madison, Wisc. He is attempting to compete in 10 Iron-distance races this year while raising money and awareness for Code 3 for a Cure, a charity that helps firefighters and their families affected by cancer. Rob has finished multiple Ironman events, three just this year, doing the run portion of the race in FULL fireman turnout gear, standing out in honor of his cause.

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