Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. As of this writing, we are at just over $28,000 raised for World Bicycle Relief. But we're not done yet. To sweeten the incentive, I have another host of new prizes to give away.

Remember, you can donate ANY amount, but ONLY donations of $134 (the cost of one bicycle) will get you eligible. For every multiple of $134 that you donate, you get another entry. $268 earns you double eligibility, $402 earns triple, $536 quadruple, etc.

To enter, you can donate online at ironman.kintera.org/arizona/rappstar or if you want to snail-mail, you can do that to:
World Bicycle Relief
Attn: Katie Bolling (Rappstar Raffle)
1333 Kingsbury Street
4th floor
Chicago, IL 60642

Prizes will be by selection (you can pick anything that's left if you are chosen) automatically from the donations, so please make sure to give us an email or phone number (or both) that we can reach you at.

Donations must be received by the END OF NOVEMBER to be eligible. Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor, all donations to WBR (both through this fundraiser and in general) will be matched dollar-for-dollar until the end of December. But to keep things timely, we are going to allow until the end of November. This will hopefully allow for more donations post-race; Ironman featured my work with WBR in a very nice article, hence our extension as compared with the previous two years as we want to capitalize on their coverage. But, unlike previous years, this is our first ever year with three rounds of stuff to give away!

And now onto the new prizes...

Competitive Image Signed Large Format Print of 2010's Picture of the Year (MSRP - $250)

The photographers of Competitive Image are, "marathon runners, ski racers, triathletes, cyclists and martial artists. We understand what we shoot. We know the mechanics of our sports as well as the intensity of training and the pressure of competition. We know the feeling of being in the pack and we know what it means when the only competition is yourself and the clock.

Our goal is to convey not only the image of your event, but the feeling, to create an inexplicable bond between the viewer and the athlete, a bond that transcends mere surface beauty.

We work with Race Directors and Event Promoters to optimize the visual presentation of your race, from meetings with your marketing committee to acting as a post-race wire service for the immediate distribution of images to print and electronic media. We are here to work with you and tell your story to your community, to your sponsors and to your athletes."

Freddie Rodriguez Commemorative Jersey and Entry to Fast Freddie Fondo 2012 (MSRP - $250)

With palmares including three USPRO championships, stage wins at the Giro d’Italia, Tour de Luxemborg, and Tour of Georgia and podiums at Milan-San Remo, Gent-Wevelgem, Tour de France, and Vuelta de Espana, "Fast" Freddie Rodriguez is one of the US's more accomplished pro cyclists. In 2012 he'll be launching a new clothing company and Fondo in Northern California (details being finalized, anticipated just before the Tour of California and on stage route). Prize includes a commemorative jersey (available now) plus entry to the Fondo to meet and log some miles with Freddie.

Ted King I Am (Not) Ted King Prize Pack - T-Shirt, Stickers, and *Signed* Poster (MSRP - $50)

Ted King is a cyclist. But cyclist definitely is not all that defines Ted King. Joining the powerhouse Liquigas-Cannondale team for 2011, King will adopt Italian as a second language in hopes of bringing you the true behind-the-scenes trials and tribulations of life in the emblematic green and blue. Equally comfortable at the dinner table or massage table or behind the camera, strap on your helmet and join Ted on this awesome ride.

To be sure you aren't confused with Ted King, you can stylishly don an i am not Ted King t-shirt. He's also throwing in stickers and a poster. Proceeds from all items sold on Ted's website (if other folks want to join you in being not Ted) benefit the Krempels Center, dedicated to new life after a brain injury.

Specialized prize pack: Globe Daily 3 & Specialized Echelon Helmet. (MSRP $1,000)

The Globe Daily 3 features trouble-free Shimano Nexus 7-speed internal gear rear hub and integrated rack and fenders that ensure that the Daily 3 will be your ... yes, daily ... go-to bike. Also features a Globe A1 Premium Aluminum trekking frame with fender/rack braze-ons and kickstand mount is all about versatility and efficiency, alloy fork with curved blade is stylish, light, and durable; reliable Shimano Nexus 7-speed internal hub promises care-free maintenance and solid performance; long-wearing Specialized Infinity 700c tires use a deep, recessed tread and Flak Jacket puncture protection to handle water and debris with ease; a classic BG saddle is soft and supportive for efficient comfort, with center groove for those sensitive areas, and bumpers for durability; slim and effective, color-matched alloy chainguard keeps your duds clean; sturdy and convenient alloy rack carries 10kg load in retro style; durable steel full-coverage fenders provide maximum protection from the elements, with a stylish beveled profile. The Globe Daily 3 can be found online here and the Echelon Helmet can be found here.

Personal Best Nutrition prize pack: One Month Nutritional Consult & Product. (MSRP $299)

Brian Shea, has been working with athletes ranging from beginners to World Champions for over 15 years, to help perfect their training & race-day nutritional strategies. This consultation package includes:

- Extensive review of race history, including in-depth break-down of nutrition & hydration
Analysis to determine caloric & electrolyte needs
- Extensive product testing, including everything PBN carries at your disposal (Test different products, flavors, concentrations, etc.....), with up to (6) product demo shipments included.
- Detailed nutritional outline for subsequent workouts (Example: You tell Brian what workouts/races you have on a subsequent weekend & he will outline EXACTLY what needs to go into your bottles & how much).
- Exclusive discounts on all PBN products.
- Bi-Weekly follow-up to be sure the newly implemented strategy is working*.
*Initial consultation includes consultation up to 'A' priority race - TBD with Coach Brian and/or Coach Scott.
Details can be found online here.

Please donate. Help me reach my goal. And, more importantly, help give someone a new beginning…