Contact: Larry Holdren (303) 825-3380 (303) 478-6313 larryholdren@gbsm.com

Denver - May 12, 2001 - Jane Ngotho, 28, of Boulder captured the Avon Walking & Running-Denver 10K title today with a winning time of 34:46. More than 1,250 women of every age and fitness level participated in this year's event, which included a 10K run (6.2 miles), 5K walk/run (3.1 miles), a one-mile Family Fun Walk and ¼-mile Kids' Mother's Day Dash, as well as the new Avon Wellness Village. The Avon Walking & Running program is the only international series of its kind that provides women the opportunity to pursue elite racing, moderate running or simple fitness in unified events.

"I'm thrilled to have won this year's Avon event," said Ngotho. "This is truly a great event for women."

As the Avon Walking & Running-Denver champion, Ngotho, who is originally from Nairobi, Kenya, took home the $500 first prize. Jane Omoro, from Boulder and also originally from Nairobi, Kenya, finished second overall winning $250 and Martha Tenorio of Denver and originally from Ecuador, finished third, winning $150. Catriona Dowling, 43, of Boulder, won $100 as the top Master finisher.

Diane Fischer from Castle Rock, Colo. was the winner of the Avon Representative division for the fourth consecutive year. Fischer, Vicki Spiva of Westminster, Colo., the top U.S. finisher in the masters division, and Brooke Carney of Golden, Colo., the top U.S. finisher in the 10K, all won expense-paid trips to Phoenix for the Avon Running National Championship on Dec. 9.

Kathrine Switzer, Program Director for Avon Walking and Running, presented a check for $5,000 to the Women's Heart Disease Prevention Programs at St. Anthony Hospitals, the charitable beneficiary of this year's event.

"We are extremely proud and grateful to Avon Walking & Running for selecting St. Anthony's Hospitals as the beneficiary for this year's event," said Cindy Rigot, Marketing Director for St. Anthony Hospitals, which had a team of nearly 70 women participate in the event. "Our hospital and women throughout the entire region will benefit in numerous ways through our association with this wonderful program."

Heart disease is the number one killer of women. It is the cause of death more often than all cancers combined. It is estimated that one-third of these deaths can be prevented by simple exercise. Avon Walking and Running - Denver is designed to help women of every age and fitness level take control of their health and fitness by promoting walking and running - time-efficient, cost-effective and accessible exercise options that help women build confidence and self-esteem, while improving their physical health and lowering their risk of cardiovascular disease.

During 2001, Avon Walking and Running events will take place in seven additional U.S. cities, including:

· Hartford, CT	July 14
· Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN	August 11
· Baltimore, MD	September 9
· Albuquerque, NM	September 16
· Kansas City, MO	October 7
· Tampa, FL	November 17
· Phoenix, AZ *	December 9

* The Phoenix event is also the Avon Walking & Running National Championship, in which winners from all preceding U.S. events will vie for the national title alongside women of every age and ability.

Avon is the world's leading direct seller of beauty and related products, with $5.7 billion in annual revenues. For more than a century Avon has provided women with economic opportunity and financial independence, and the company currently markets to women in 139 countries through 3.4 million independent sales representatives. Avon is committed to women through programs such as the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, the Avon Worldwide Fund for Women's Health, and the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Days. Product lines include such recognizable brands as Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Avon Color, Far Away, Rare Gold, Perceive and Avon Skin Care. The company also markets an extensive line of fashion jewelry, apparel, gifts and collectibles.

More information on Avon and its products and programs can be found on the company's website www.avon.com.