TriRock Philadelphia Triathlon Announces Partnership with Challenged Athletes Foundation®

PHILADELPHIA, May 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- TriRock Philadelphia Triathlon, with title sponsor Johnson & Johnson and presenting sponsor Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY), today announced a three-year partnership with the Challenged Athletes Foundation^® (CAF) as an Official Race Charity.

CAF athletes will participate over event weekend and funds raised from the event will support CAF's mission in providing grants for adaptive sporting equipment, such as prosthetics and racing wheelchairs, advanced training, and competition expenses, which allow challenged athletes to be successful in sports and in life.

"CAF is thrilled to partner with the TriRock Philadelphia Triathlon, which is one of the premiere multisport events in the country," said Virginia Tinley, CAF's Executive Director. "The cost of adaptive sports equipment, which is typically not covered by medical insurance, can be an obstacle keeping challenged athletes from participating in sports. We've had dozens of local athletes in the Philadelphia region receive support from CAF to make their athletic dreams a reality."

The 9th annual event features three days of activities including a Multi-Sport Expo beginning on Friday, June 21 and a Sprint distance race at 7:30 am on Saturday, June 22. TriRock Philadelphia culminates with an Olympic distance event at 6:30 am on Sunday, June 23, which will welcome some of the best pro triathletes in the country. The new PHLY Cup pro division, launched in partnership with Philadelphia Insurance Companies, will offer pro triathletes the chance to compete in the Olympic distance for a prize purse totaling $25,000.

"The Challenged Athletes Foundation's mission makes them an ideal partner for the race and their presence will help drive a positive and important message throughout training, over race weekend, and beyond," said Jamie Maguire, Chairman of Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY). "TEAMPHLY is excited to welcome back CAF and participate once again on relay teams with these inspiring athletes for TriRock."

Fairmount Park will host the scenic and challenging race and fun, family atmosphere, with a finish line concert taking place on both days of the event. The start, finish, and transition areas will be located just off of Martin Luther King Drive, near the base of Black Road. Named a top-five triathlon in the United States by Outside Magazine and lauded as one of the top big city triathlons by Inside Triathlon Magazine, TriRock Philadelphia will provide participants with a finisher's medal, technical t-shirt, red carpet finish, post-race breakfast and beer garden.

For more information about the TriRock Triathlon Series presented by REI visit TriRockSeries.com.

About the 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 $42 million has been raised and almost 8,200 funding requests from challenged athletes in all 50 states and dozens of countries have been satisfied. Additionally, CAF's outreach efforts reach another 65,000 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 Philadelphia Insurance
Philadelphia Insurance Companies designs, markets, and underwrites commercial property/casualty and professional liability insurance coverage for select industries, including the sports and entertainment and fitness and wellness industries.  In operation since 1962, the Company, whose commercial lines insurance subsidiaries are rated "A++" (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and "A+" by Standard & Poor's, is nationally recognized as a member of Ward's Top 50 and National Underwriter's Top 100.  The organization has 45 offices strategically located across the United States to deliver superior service. For more information, please visit PHLY.com.

SOURCE TriRock Triathlon Series