Riders finish Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge in La Jolla Shores

A big crowd turned out to greet riders in the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge, which started eight days ago in San Francisco and wrapped up Friday afternoon at La Jolla Shores.

Qualcomm’s challenge will help seed a capital campaign for the Challenged Athletes Foundation headquarters and to support the organization’s activities as well as to buy equipment and prosthetics for challenged athletes.

The coastal ride is a lead-up to the Challenge Athletes Foundation Triathlon, a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run distance triathlon being held this Sunday. It starts at 8 a.m. at La Jolla Cove with the swim before competitors jump on their bikes for a ride to the north and then return for the run.

The weekend also includes workshops and registration on Saturday at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center and the Kaiser Permanente 5K Walk on Sunday.

The event is expected to raise more than $850,000 to fund adaptive sports equipment, training and competition for disabled individuals living active lifestyles. Since 1994, more than 4,000 physically challenged individuals have benefited financially from the Challenged Athletes Foundation that sponsors the annual event.