Entering and staying in the sport of cycling, running, swimming and multi-sport can be costly and intimidating. How do you start? What support is there for this personal development in WNC? Removing the cost barrier for youth and adults who are interested in training for or participating in a running, cycling or multi-sport event is key to growing our WNC sports community. Also, providing community based training and coached activities to foster the development of youth and adults in our community is key in the health and wellness of our community as a whole. 

With iDream Athletes Foundation professional leaders in our community and coaches provide an approachable and comfortable setting for youth and adults to gain exposure, experience and training in either running, cycling, swimming and multi-sport. This allows us to support and spur-on healthy, active lifestyles in our community members.

Some examples of how iDream is making a difference through our scholarship program: Throughout the past few years we have assisted with paying for bike repairs after cycling crashes and accidents, travel fees for world champion qualifying athletes from our community, providing funds to cover race entry fees for youth and adults, purchase new running shoes and equipment,  paid for underprivileged youth swimming lessons, coaching fees and much, much more!

What is coming up next?!!

In 2023, the Asheville Swim League will return, triathlon and running specific clinics will take place, and a Tri Local Community will be launched. We will financially support multiple cross country and cycling youth teams and clubs in our community. We will provide scholarships to youth and adults in our community and to local youth through community organizations to introduce underprivileged to the sport of running. We will financially contribute and support local coaches and community happenings that develop cycling, running, swimming and multisport. We will donate and support the underpriviled swim program through the YMCA of WNC. We will provide a race opportunity on Healthy Kids Day to youth in the community. We will pay for pool and location fees, plus coaches to host the above activities. 

By making a monetary contribution to iDream Athletes Foundation, you help make an opportunity possible for WNC residents to enjoy the experience of a sporting event or activity, whether it be participating in the Asheville Swim League, a running, cycling or multi-sport clinic. 

Join us in helping our western North Carolina youth and adults by making a tax-deductible contribution today. Donations can be accepted during registration by following the ‘idream athletes foundation’ tab during registration on Race Roster.  

• iDream Scholarship Program and application/selection process based on socioeconomic status, needs, goals and dreams of the applicant.

• Creation of a ‘beginner’ & ‘novice’ friendly athletic environment to support those who are intimidated by, do not have the means to participate in, or don’t know how to start getting involved the disciplines of cycling, swimming and running. In turn this assistance will boost participation and engagement in the cycling (road, mountain, cyclocross, track), multi-sport (triathlon, duathlon) and running communities in the Carolinas.

• Outreach to underprivileged youth, minorities and residents of subsidized housing complexes in WNC to promote our scholarship program.

• Develop a tiered-volunteer program for iDream Athletes beneficiaries to participate in to learn more about sporting/racing events (“the more you know, the more you’ll grow” mentality).

• Get people “Running for a Cause” by being the fundraising Charity Partner of the iDaph Events’ New Year’s Day Resolution Run and others!

• Develop a schedule of educational engagements for iDream Athletes beneficiaries to participate in to expand their knowledge on healthy habits (diet, exercise, mental health, economics, etc.)

• Invest in existing community activities (rides, runs, swims) and pioneer new activities to promote and encourage an inclusive and cohesive health and wellness community. (i.e. BRBC Bike Clinics, Swim Stroke Clinics in the area, and the former Asheville Winter Bike League – with A, B, C riders, sag supported w/ ride leaders, etc.)