Update: Triathlon Raised $2.8 Million for Challenged Athletes Foundation

Updated at 1:40 p.m. Oct. 22, 2012

Sunday’s San Diego Triathlon Challenge raised $2,833,000—far above the expected $1 million—for disabled athletes, says Jenna Novotny, a spokeswoman for the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

Some 750 people took part in the triathlon, including 200 challenged athletes, she said Monday. The individual winner was Ironman legend Scott Tinley.

Denise Fejtek won the Ironman World Championship entry slot for being the top fundraiser at the La Jolla Colla event. She raised $137,000, Novotny said.

The event began as a modest fundraiser 19 years ago for a local injured triathlete. This weekend at La Jolla Cove, by contrast was a star-studded affair—featuring NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton, Andy Baldwin of The Bachelor and Ironman triathlon legends including Tinley and Michellie Jones.

Thousands of people cheer hundreds of athletes with prosthetic legs and missing arms, dozens of children among them. Sunday’s mile swim, 44-mile bike ride and 10-mile run saw about 150 challenged athletes competing alongside 550 able-bodies athletes.  A 4½-hour stationary cycling marathon followed earlier sports and agility clinics.