ST. GEORGE – The 2012 U.S. full-distance Ironman season kicks off this weekend with Ironman St. George. A number of the athletes competing in Utah will be doing much more than just trying to complete the race. They’ll be raising money through the Ironman Foundation’s “Your Journey, Your Cause” program.

In just a few months last year, more than $250,000 was raised for over 60 different charity groups through this program.

Ironman chose to profile a handful of the athletes who are racing to raise money for various causes. One such athlete is Robert Verhelst, who ran the entire length of the 2011 Ironman Wisconsin in full firefighter gear, including air tank and helmet, to honor those who lost their lives as a result of 9/11.

The Ironman Foundation provides athletes with the opportunity to raise funds as part of their experience to make their journey to become an Ironman a race for a cause and choose a nonprofit beneficiary of their choice.

Additional information can be found on the Ironman St. George website.