Tri-athlete Goes The Distance For HIV/AIDS
CRWRC News | September 4, 2009
On August 30, Mike Pluimer of Raymond, Minnesota, ran, swam, and biked his way across the Ironman Louisville finish line in 13.5 hours. Along the way, he raised over $38,000 for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee’s AIDS programs around the world and motivated 250 young people join him in his fundraising campaign.
“I see a day in the future when HIV/AIDS is no longer a pandemic in Africa, and when we can see our brothers and sisters cross their finish line in good health, achieving a goal that also at one point seemed impossible,” said Pluimer about the motivation behind his race.
Pluimer spent the last twelve months training, fundraising, and making personal appearances to speak about AIDS at churches and schools. He encouraged young people to join him as “i-joiners” – each committing to running 26.2 miles, swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 miles, and raising a minimum of $500 for CRWRC’s AIDS programs.
Two hundred and fifty young people from three countries, eleven US states, and three Canadian provinces took up the challenge. Combined, they rode 2,532 miles, ran 1,208 miles, swam 67 miles, and participated in 45 additional hours of physical exercise. They also sent their fundraising donations and pledges on to Pluimer for a total of $30,000 in donations.
Through these donations, Pluimer won second place in the Janus Charity Challenge – a unique fundraising program by Janus Capital Group that encourages tri-athletes to raise money for their favorite charities while training for events. As a second place fundraiser, Pluimer was given an additional $8,000 from Janus for CRWRC programs.
“The Ironman takes endurance and commitment,” Pluimer said. “Not only by me, but by the strong support group who train, cheer, and pray me through. Our brothers and sisters in Africa who are fighting HIV/AIDS are in an even tougher race that requires much more endurance and commitment than the Ironman. They need a support team much more so than I do for the Ironman. I am so grateful to the CRWRC for being their support crew. [Their] commitment will help them finish their race. ”
Additional donations for “Join the Race” are being accepted through the month of September.
Choose "Join The Race - Ironman" from the Campaign Category