More Than Sport, a charity started in 2010 by three time IRONMAN champion Chris Lieto, is returning to Panama in February 2013 to partner with Homes of Hope and build houses for flood victims throughout the city.

In November of 2010 a series of devastating floods swept through the Darien Gap, destroying homes for more than 300 people. To date, 48 homes are in dire need of being rebuilt. Early this year, only a day after competing at IRONMAN 70.3 Panama, Chris Lieto and his fellow athletes not only built a home for a family who lost all of their belongings, but raised enough money to complete two homes, helping to bring hope back to the Darien people. To see a video of their experience, watch MTS Journey Through Panama 2012.

“You will be amazed that no matter how much you give, you end up getting so much more back,” Lieto says. “We were working hard and giving a lot, but when the day is done, we are going to feel like the ones who got blessed.”

With a team of 25 and the support of the Panamanian Air-Navy, More Than Sport plans to build more homes from February 4 to 7 within the village of El Salto, another area deeply affected by floods. More Than Sport will need to fund raise $2,900 to complete one home and $8,900 to complete two homes. Athletes, we need your help!

Register for IRONMAN 70.3 Panama held on February 3 to race and help others in need. Registration is $350 and can be completed through the More Than Sport website. Extend your travel through Panama for three days and join the team of athletes willing to make a difference. For more information on the project contact info@morethansport.org.  For athletes who are racing and want to fund raise for More Than Sport, create your own crowdrise page for donors to give directly to the Homes of Hope project.

Race organizers, BN Sports Panama, S.A., support this cause and are providing MTS with a booth at the Expo for participants to sign up onsite the days before the race (Friday & Saturday) at the Trump Ocean Club International Hotel & Towers. Furthermore, they will donate any leftover shirts for the Darien people. Register Today!

Originally from: http://www.ironman.com/triathlon-news/articles/2013/01/more-than-sport-ironman-70.3-panama.aspx#ixzz2H2qPE3Hl

2013 Ironman 70.3 Panama Registration Opens Today 

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA (May 9, 2012) – Ironman^® and BN Sports Panama, S.A., today announced that registration for the second  edition of Ironman 70.3 Panama will open at noon ET (TODAY), and will be available through the event’s official website at www.ironmanpanama.com. A special early entry rate of $199 USD will be offered until Saturday, May 13 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Scheduled for Feb. 3, 2013, Ironman 70.3 Panama is designated the Latin American Pro Championship for the Ironman 70.3 Series. Professional athletes will race alongside age group competitors on a breathtaking course that showcases beautiful Central America. The 1.2-mile swim course will take place in the Pacific Ocean within the banks of the Panama Canal and the bike course leads athletes over the Bridge of the Americas en route to the Pan-American Highway, passing by downtown Panama and the Cinta Costera (Coastal Strip). The two-loop run course utilizes the Amador Causeway, a major tourism area surrounded by the Pacific Ocean.

One of nearly 60 events in the global Ironman 70.3 Series, the race offers a professional prize purse of $75,000 and 35 age group qualifying slots to the 2013 Ironman World Championship 70.3, taking place in September, at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nev.

For more information or to register for Ironman 70.3 Panama, please visit www.ironmanpanama.com. For media related inquiries, please contact info@bnsportsllc.com.

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About IRONMAN

The iconic IRONMAN® Series of events is the largest participation sports platform in the world. Since the inception of IRONMAN 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, owner and operator of IRONMAN, has grown from 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.

About BN Sports, LLC

BN Sports, LLC, is a citywide sports events management company founded in Puerto Rico in 2008. The company focuses on high-profile sporting events, which promote health and fitness awareness among participants, their family members and the local community. BN Sports’ events also aim to promote the destination of the markets it serves through various media channels, resulting in strong brand awareness for BN Sports sponsors and for the host city, while also positively impacting the local economy.  Contact BN Sports at info@bnsportsllc.com.

Scheduled for February 12, 2012, Ironman 70.3 Panama is the first Latin American Pro Championship in the global Ironman 70.3 Series. Professional athletes like Leanda Cave (GBR) and Chris Lieto (USA) will race alongside age group competitors on a beautiful course that showcases picturesque Central America. The swim will take place in the Pacific Ocean within the banks of the Panama Canal with athletes transitioning near the Biodiversity Museum, built by renowned architect Frank Gehry. The bike course will lead athletes over the Bridge of the Americas en route to the Pan-American Highway, passing by downtown and the Cinta Costera (Coastal Strip). The final leg of the race features a two-loop run course that utilizes the Amador Causeway, a major tourism area surrounded by the Pacific Ocean

One of nearly 60 events in the Ironman 70.3 Series, the inaugural event will offer a professional prize purse of $75,000. Athletes will also compete for 35 age group qualifying slots to the 2012 Ironman World Championship 70.3, to be held on Sept. 9, 2012, at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nev.

To register for Ironman 70.3 Panama or for more information, please visit www.ironmanpanama.com. For press related inquiries, please contact media70.3@ironman.com.

About World Triathlon Corporation

World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) is a Tampa-based company recognized for athletic excellence, distinguished events and quality products. WTC’s portfolio includes Ironman, Ironman 70.3, 5150 Triathlon Series, Iron Girl and IronKids brands, which have a combined total of more than 180 events worldwide each year. Supported by partners including Ford, Timex, Foster Grant and PowerBar, Ironman is the No.1 user-based sports brand in the world and has been a respected name in triathlon since its inception in 1978.

About BN Sports, LLC

BN Sports, LLC, is a citywide sports events management company founded in Puerto Rico in 2008. The company focuses on high-profile sporting events, which promote health and fitness awareness among participants, their family members and the local community. BN Sports’ events also aim to promote the destination of the markets it serves through various media channels, resulting in strong brand awareness for BN Sports sponsors and for the host city, while also positively impacting the local economy. Contact BN Sports at info@bnsportsllc.com.

More Than Sport and Chris Lieto will partner with YWAM, Homes of Hope, to build homes for flood victims in the Darien Gap in the Republic of Panama following Ironman 70.3 Panama this February 2012. The group will build four homes for the neediest of families from the village of El Salto, who are recovering from a series of floods in 2010 that saw more than 300 people lose their homes. (photo courtesy morethansport.com)

More than Sport invites you to journey with us to the Darien Gap in the Rep. of Panama. The Darien is a dense and virgin rainforest, mysterious and isolated. Within this region dwell the indigenous tribal people called the Embera. The Embera live much as they have for centuries. They fish in the rivers, harvest corn and cassava and are excellent craftsman in the carving of wood and nuts. They weave baskets that in some cases are so tightly knit that they can hold water. This is truly a remarkable culture. However, for the Embera inhabitants of the village of El Salto along the River Chucunaque, much of this lifestyle has been put on hold. In November 2010 a series of floods caused more than 300 people to lose their homes. They are still recovering from the damage, with a total of 48 homes in dire need of being rebuilt. YWAM Panama (Youth With A Mission) and Homes of Hope are endeavoring, along with the government of Panama, to rebuild the homes of this village. Join More than Sport to make this dream come true, as they set out to build four homes for the neediest of the families. Help bring hope to the Embera!
Extend your travel three to four days after the race to build a whole house, or just help for a day. More than Sport will also be raising the funds for building materials. If you are interested in joining in the build or want more information on how you can donate your time or resources, contact morethansportinfo@gmail.com