CONCORD, N.C. – In only its second annual event, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Wellness Challenge presented by Penn Mutual has raised more than $300,000.
Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson and his wife, Chandra, announced that the funds raised by the series of three events this year set a new record in comparison to last year’s inaugural wellness challenge. The $300,000 raised between the three events will support K-12 public schools through current Foundation programs.
“We’ve had a great time hosting the Wellness Challenge,” Johnson said. “The 5K and the two sprint triathlons are really fun events. Everyone is welcome, from the novice to elite. We are so grateful to our sponsors and partners for helping us to make this year’s Challenge such a great success. We’ve been so impressed with everyone’s desire to support K-12 public education while meeting personal goals.”
Johnson and his wife, Chandra, present a Champion's Grant with funds raised from the 2014 Jimmie Johnson Foundation Wellness Challenge to a local Charlotte school.
The 2015 edition of the Wellness Challenge, which consisted of three athletic events based in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, totaled nearly 1,000 participants.
The Jimmie Johnson Foundation 5K was the first wellness challenge event of the year. The family fun 5K and one mile run/walk was held on April 26 in Huntersville, North Carolina. The second event, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Cane Creek Sprint Triathlon, consisted of a 500 yard swim, 13 mile bike ride and 5K run. This last summer event took place on Aug. 11 in Waxhaw, North Carolina. The final wellness challenge event was the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Lake Davidson Sprint Triathlon. This triathlon, similar to the second event, was held on Sept. 13 in Davidson, North Carolina.
“We are delighted that the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Wellness Challenge had a very successful year, by all counts,” said David O’Malley, Penn Mutual’s Chief Operating Officer. “Not only are we pleased with our partnership, but we’re also very happy that several of our associates from around the country were able to participate in the three events.”
Be sure to watch for the 2016 Jimmie Johnson Foundation Wellness Challenge events on www.JimmieJohnsonFoundation.org and help the team raise funds for various schools and charities.