The Kyle Pease Foundation Takes IRONMAN Florida, Raising Funds to Improve the Lives of People with Disabilities through Sports

To celebrate its 10^th anniversary, the founders of The Kyle Pease Foundation, Kyle and Brent Pease, are teaming up with 19 athletes to generate awareness and raise money to advance inclusion in sports during IRONMAN Florida on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Panama City, Florida.

In 2011, The Kyle Pease Foundation began after Brent crossed his first IRONMAN finish line, and Kyle, born with Cerebral Palsy, asked the question, "can people in wheelchairs participate in endurance sports?" A decade later, Kyle will be competing in his fifth IRONMAN Triathlon, and The Foundation continues to empower athletes with disabilities to compete in the multisport and endurance world. To date, The Foundation has supported 140 athletes across more than 2,000 finish lines.

"Becoming an IRONMAN is a daunting task that requires tenacity, perseverance and the willingness to be comfortable with the uncomfortable," says Kyle, chief inspirational officer of The Kyle Pease Foundation. "These are the same characteristics persons with disabilities must possess to make it through the day-to-day, which is why we're so proud to see representation at this year's IRONMAN Florida."

Since its inception, The Foundation has raised more than $4.3M to foster its mission. In 2019, it expanded its mission to provide full- and part-time employment opportunities to three people with disabilities. With the goal of raising more than $160,000 through fundraising efforts around this IRONMAN, The Foundation plans to expand its employee base further, providing independence for more members.

"I'm overjoyed to swim, bike and run 140.6 miles in support of the Foundation. Nine years ago, this organization embraced my daughter, Marin, who lives with Cerebral Palsy," says Greg Smith, The Kyle Pease Foundation volunteer. "When I met the Pease family, I was not an endurance athlete by any means; however, I immediately saw the value that sports can bring to kids like Marin. My personal goal is to raise $100,000 to cover the salaries for three individuals working for the Foundation."

"Looking back over the past 10 years, we've come a long way with The Foundation. It's serendipitous for us to celebrate our anniversary at IRONMAN as it marks the inception of our life's work," says Brent, executive director of The Kyle Pease Foundation. "In 2018, Kyle and I made history by being the first push-assisted team of brothers to cross the finish line at the IRONMAN World Championship. After a challenging and isolating pandemic, we're honored to take our team to Panama City and try our hand at another IRONMAN."

KPF IRONMAN Florida Team Members:

Brent and Kyle Pease, Chris Babin, Natalia Busuttil, Jeff Caplan, Melissa Earley Caplan, Sandra Daust, Jeremy Hamel, William Humsi, Matthew Johnson, Cyrus Krohn, Vanja Kurtovic, Matt McClain, Wright Mitchell, Lane Nichols, Rick Orosco, Todd Sabo, Rebecca Scott, Greg Smith, Tommy Smith and Arthur Young.

Donors' generosity can fund the organization in many ways, with more than 88% of every dollar raised directly supporting its mission. Examples of the direct cost for a wheelchair assisted person to race include:

• 5K Race: $75
• 10K Race: $250
• Half Marathon: $500
• Racing Wheelchair: $6,000
• Ironman or Half-Ironman Triathlon: $10,000 (race entry, specialized equipment, travel, logistics and caregiver support)

To follow The Foundation's journey to IRONMAN Florida and support the teams competing, visit https://www.kylepeasefoundation.org/ironman or follow The Kyle Pease Foundation on Facebook and @TheKylePeaseFoundation on Instagram.

About The Kyle Pease Foundation

The Kyle Pease Foundation, founded in 2011, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of the disabled through sports. It is focused on generating awareness of inclusion and raising funds to promote success for persons with disabilities by providing assistance to meet their individual needs. Its founders, Brent and Kyle Pease, who strive to provide an inclusive community to all, made history as the first push-assisted brother duo to complete the IRONMAN World Championship in 2018. The Foundation's programs include scholarships, medical or adaptive sports equipment and contributing to organizations that provide similar assistance to disabled persons. The Foundation also participates in educational campaigns to create awareness about Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities. For more information on The Foundation or speaking opportunities with the Pease brothers, please visit http://www.kylepeasefoundation.org.