[car fanatics]

BMW
Photo credit: BMW
June 14, 2012
By: CF staff

Michael Johnston, a paratriathlete and U.S. Paralympic Team hopeful, invites MINI fans to train with him during the rally from New York to Los Angeles.

• A once-in-a-lifetime experience for MTTS participants
  

• Participants in the “Michael Johnston Challenge” can register to run a 5K or bike 10 miles with Johnston during a single training session in one of four locations
  

• Additionally, one MTTS sweepstakes winner will be awarded a trip for two to the London 2012 Olympic Games
  

Last month MINI USA named the U.S. Paralympic Team as the charitable partner for MINI TAKES THE STATES 2012 (MTTS), and the partnership has opened the door for rally participants to engage in another once-in-a-lifetime opportunity… the “Michael Johnston Challenge.” This fundraising initiative offers MTTS participants a chance to train with an athlete as he runs and rides his bicycle during segments of the cross-country rally.

“With MINI TAKES THE STATES, we work hard to deliver a variety of truly exceptional experiences that connect with the diverse MINI owner community and let them take away a memory that they’ll talk about for years to come,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President MINI USA. “The Michael Johnston Challenges offer MTTS participants a personal connection to the Olympic Games and a chance to enjoy a healthy activity they love with an inspirational athlete. It’s a great example of how this event is about so much more than the drive.”

Johnston made a challenge when he came on board saying, “This year’s MTTS rally would be the healthiest one yet.” As part of that commitment, he has offered an incentive to motivate participants to live healthy and help a charitable cause. For a minimum donation of $50, MTTS participants can join Johnston, for an opportunity to train and show they have what it takes to keep up.

Training spaces are limited, and interested participants should visit http://www.minitakesthestates.com for full details and to register (click on “Sign Up Now For The Michael Johnston Challenge” at the bottom of the homepage).

A portion of every MTTS general registration fee ($30) will be donated to the U.S. Paralympic team to support the Paralympic athletes who will compete in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, as well as Paralympic hopefuls as they train. In addition, the money raised by the Michael Johnston Challenges during MTTS will go to the Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF), a non-profit organization that supports athletes with physical challenges in their athletic endeavors.

Johnston is an athlete in Para-triathlon, and will represent the United States Olympics Committee for the duration of the MTTS partnership. A below-the-knee amputee, Johnston competes in triathlon (sprint to half-Ironman), duathlon, running, cycling and swimming, and is a hopeful competitor to race on behalf of the United States in Para-triathlon at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.