Accenture and the Challenged Athletes Foundation® to Support Injured Troops at IRONMAN® 70.3 California

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IRONMAN is proud to announce that Accenture and the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) are teaming to support eight injured military service members and first responders to race in IRONMAN^® 70.3 California as part of CAF’s Operation Rebound. Additionally, it was announced that Accenture will serve as the title sponsor and CAF will be the official event charity for the race.

“The presence of servicemen and women volunteering their time further extends our appreciation to the military community in which a portion of this race takes place.”

“Accenture is committed to the Challenged Athletes Foundation and their approach to helping people – especially members of the military – with physical challenges to succeed in both sports and life,” said Thomas Pettit, senior managing director, Accenture, and former officer in the Marine Corps. “We are pleased to sponsor this event and commend all the high performing athletes who sign up for the competition and support Operation Rebound.”

Operation Rebound is a CAF program that provides funding and support to permanently injured service members and first responders to help them become active once again and feel whole through the healing power of sport. All IRONMAN 70.3 participants are encouraged to join Operation Rebound’s team and race side-by-side with wounded military. Through their fundraising efforts, CAF’s Operation Rebound participants provide direct financial support, mentorship, Military Medical Center Physical Training (MMCPT) and sports clinics to injured troops and first responders.

“We are very excited to partner with Accenture and IRONMAN as the official event charity of this race,” said Virginia Tinley, Executive Director, CAF. “Our mission is to provide athletic opportunities to physically challenged individuals, and in doing so, to educate and inspire the general community. This event does each of those things while paying tribute to injured troops who have honorably served our country.”

Accenture IRONMAN 70.3 California will take place in Oceanside, Calif. on March 30, 2013, where athletes will swim a 1.2-mile course in Oceanside Harbor, cycle a 56-mile bike route through San Clemente State Park and Camp Pendleton, and run 13.1 miles through Oceanside.

“This race is unique in that half of the volunteer staff comes from units stationed at Camp Pendleton,” said Gina Thomas, race director for Accenture IRONMAN 70.3 California. “The presence of servicemen and women volunteering their time further extends our appreciation to the military community in which a portion of this race takes place.”

Team Operation Rebound participants will experience the race with first-class support. To learn more or to register, please visit: www.ironman.challengedathletes.org/im703_ca. For more information on Accenture IRONMAN 70.3 California, please visit www.ironmancalifornia.com.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with approximately 259,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. Through its Skills to Succeed corporate citizenship focus, Accenture is committed to equipping 250,000 people around the world by 2015 with the skills to get a job or build a business. The company generated net revenues of US$27.9 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2012. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

About Challenged Athletes Foundation

The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is a world leader in helping individuals with physical challenges get involved – and stay involved – in sports. CAF believes that participation in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life. Since 1994, more than $40 million has been raised and almost 6,000 funding requests from challenged athletes in all 50 states and dozens of countries have been satisfied. Additionally, CAF’s outreach efforts reach another 60,000 individuals each year. Whether it’s a $2,500 grant for a handcycle, helping underwrite a carbon fiber running foot not covered by insurance, or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar challenge, CAF’s mission is clear: give those with the desire to live active, athletic lifestyles every opportunity to compete in the sports they love. To learn more, log on to www.challengedathletes.org or call 858-866-0959.

About CAF’s Operation Rebound^®

Challenged Athletes Foundation's® (CAF) Operation Rebound® program is the premier sports and fitness program for American military personnel, veterans and first responders with permanent physical disabilities. It provides unparalleled opportunities to pursue active, athletic lifestyles by offering access to funding for equipment and training and competition expenses, Military Medical Center Physical Training (MMCPT) and sports clinics.

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^®, 5150^™ Triathlon Series, Iron Girl^® and IronKids^®. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.