Full Results and Photos

KANSAS CITY - October 7, 2001 - Renee Kruse, 34, of South Sioux City, Nebraska, captured the Avon Walking & Running-Kansas City 10K title today with a winning time of 36:23. A total of 1,326 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 Kids' Fun Run, 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.

As the Avon Walking & Running-Kansas City champion, Kruse, who is a certified personal trainer with three children, took home the $500 first prize and won an expense-paid trip to Phoenix for the Avon Running National Championship on December 9.

Darla Moberly, 38, a substitute teacher and mother of three from Kearney, Missouri, finished second overall, at 36:34, winning $250. Deborah Torneden, 40, a mother of one and Avon representative from Wichita, Kansas, finished third at 37:16, winning $150. Because Torneden is a Master runner (age 40 and up), she receives the Master's expense-paid trip to the Avon Running National Championship. Ann Ringlein, 44, Lincoln, Nebraska, was the second master finisher at 37:49. She received the $100 Master's prize.

Karen Yokley, 36, from Topeka, Kansas, is the first Avon representative after Tornedon, with a time of 41:59. She wins the Avon representative expense-paid trip to the Avon Running National Championship.

"What a wonderful race," Kruse said. "It's just a really great event for women and I'm really glad I came today."

Kathleen Johnson, Avon Products division manager for the Kansas City area, presented two checks for a combined $5,000 for heart programs and women's community education at Saint Luke's-Shawnee Mission Health System, the charitable beneficiary of this year's event.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women. It causes death more often than all cancers combined. It is estimated that one-third of these deaths can be prevented by simple exercise. Avon Walking & Running - Kansas City 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.

"We are extremely proud to continue our long-term relationship with Avon Walking & Running," said Ann Ropp, vice president, Women's and Children's Services at Saint Luke's-Shawnee Mission Health System. "We are pleased that our women's heart health programs at Saint Luke's Hospital and Shawnee Mission Medical Center will share equally in this contribution to benefit women throughout the Kansas City area."

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.