MAZDA FOUNDATION NAMED TITLE SPONSOR OF CHALLENGED ATHLETES FOUNDATION'S MILLION DOLLAR CHALLENGE CYCLING EVENT

Company press release.

SAN DIEGO – Mar. 24, 2014 – The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF), a world leader in helping individuals with physical challenges get involved and stay involved in sports, announced today that Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc. will be the title sponsor of the organization's 9th Annual Million Dollar Challenge (MDC). The seven-day, 620-mile cycling event from San Francisco to San Diego, will take place Friday, Oct. 10 – 17, 2014, with each rider committing to raise $12,500 toward the event's million dollar minimum fundraising goal. The funds raised through this event will support CAF's mission to support physically challenged athletes by funding grants for adaptive sports equipment, training and competition expenses, mentoring and sports clinics.

Through the Mazda Foundation, Mazda and its employees are working together to proactively help communities build a better, brighter future. With contributions exceeding $8 million since its founding in 1992, the Mazda Foundation is playing a meaningful role in helping thousands of Americans realize their aspirations and dreams.

The Mazda Foundation has supported programs of the Challenged Athletes Foundation since 2011.

'Our belief in a better future remains as strong as ever,' said James J. O'Sullivan, President and CEO, Mazda North American Operations and Chairman, Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc. 'Throughout the year, Mazda employees and the Mazda Foundation work to turn this belief into reality by supporting imaginative and deserving programs such as the Challenged Athletes Foundation.'

Participants in the Mazda Foundation Million Dollar Challenge will join former pro cyclist and Chairman of the ride, Christian Vande Velde, and other celebrities and pro athletes like Bill Walton and members of Team Garmin Barracuda to cycle some of California's most scenic coastline, epic climbs and serene valleys. The event not only provides a luxury cycling experience during the event, complete with professional SAG and support, premier accommodations and daily massage, but also a weekly training plan and organized training rides (based in San Diego) leading up to the event.

'We are excited to announce Mazda Foundation's title sponsor of this world-class event,' said Virginia Tinley, Executive Director of the Challenged Athletes Foundation. 'CAF embraces the Mazda Foundation's vision of building a better tomorrow through support of meaningful programs that make a difference. Each year we hear from participants, donors, sponsors and CAF athletes how inspirational and life-changing this event is to them.'

To learn more about CAF's Mazda Foundation Million Dollar Challenge or register for the event visit www.challengedathletes.org or contact Julia Dugan at Julia@challengedathletes.org or 858.210.3511.

Challenged Athletes Foundation

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The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) is a world leader in helping individuals with physical challenges get involved – and stay involved – in sports. CAF believes that participation in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life. Since 1994, more than $53 million has been raised and almost 8,200 funding requests from challenged athletes in all 50 states and dozens of countries have been satisfied. Additionally, CAF's outreach efforts reach another 60,000 individuals each year. Whether it's a $2,500 grant for a handcycle, helping underwrite a carbon fiber running foot not covered by insurance, or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar challenge, CAF's mission is clear: give those with the desire to live active, athletic lifestyles every opportunity to compete in the sports they love. To learn more, log on to www.challengedathletes.org or call 858-866-0959.

Mazda Foundation (USA) Inc.

Acting on a strong sense of responsibility to give something back to the communities in which it operates, Mazda established a philanthropic foundation. As the corporate foundation of Mazda North American Operations, it has awarded over $8 million to worthwhile causes across the United States since its initial grants in 1992. To learn more about the Mazda Foundation, please visit www.mazdafoundation.org.