Race Report Saturday April 10, 1999

Footspeed and Fun on Display at Avon Race

Visser Leads Over 1,300 Women Across the Finish Line, Earns Trip

ATLANTA, April 10 -- This morning over 1,300 women celebrated the second installment of the 1999 Avon Running U.S. Series by running and walking through Centennial Olympic Park and the streets of downtown Atlanta.

Despite air thick with pollen and spring humidity, Atlanta's Maggie Visser took her first strides toward an Avon Running national championship title by winning the Atlanta 10K (6.2 mile) race in 37 minutes, three seconds.

Visser, a native of Capetown, South Africa, is one of Atlanta's top female runners. Now a resident of Atlanta, she has been a competitive runner for four years.

"Avon Running is the race for women in Atlanta," said Visser, age 30. She decided to enter today's race after a friend told her about her experience at last year's Avon Running National Championship.

The victory assures her a spot on the starting line at the Avon Running National Championship in Cincinnati on October 31. A win there would put her on the road to the 2000 Avon Running Global Championship.

One step behind Visser throughout most of the race and finishing second was Michelle LaFleur of Statesboro, Ga. in 37:11. The third-place finisher was Wendy Hall of Atlanta in 37:57.

One of the most memorable performances at the Avon Running Atlanta 10K was by 40-year-old Judy Walls of Piedmont, S.C. Walls completed the race in 39:50 to finish as the top Avon Sales Representative for the second year. Walls, currently the top-ranked masters runner in South Carolina and 1998 Avon national champion in the Representative division, began running 17 years ago and has balanced a successful career as a special needs teacher and mother of five children.

"We are thrilled about the excitement generated by our Avon Running Atlanta event," said Maria Peninger, regional vice president of Avon Southeast. "It is Avon's goal to get women to the starting line of fitness, and we certainly saw that today in Atlanta."

In addition to the Avon Running Atlanta 10K, more than 750 women participated in the 5K walk/fun run. Among the notable participants in the 5K were Carmen Burns, host of WXIA-TV's Peachtree Morning, former marathon world record holder Grete Waitz, and members of the Rosie O'Donnell "Chub Club."

Over 95 mother-daughter teams finished the two races and over half the participants in the 5K fun run and walk were participating in their first 5K.

Seven of the mother-daughter duos received splurge packages from the downtown Atlanta Hyatt Regency.

Avon's Atlanta event marks the second of a 10-city Avon Running U.S. series, which is part of the 12-country Avon Running Global Women's Circuit. Up next is Denver (May 8) followed by Baltimore (June 13), Sacramento, Calif. (June 19), Hartford (July 10), Portland, Ore. (July 25), Chicago (Sept. 26), Kansas City, Mo. (Oct. 3), and Cincinnati (Oct. 31). The series kicked off in Dallas on March 27.

International events include races in Germany, Hungary, Italy, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Venezuela, Canada, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Winners of the U.S. 10K events are awarded travel and accommodations in order to compete at the 1999 Avon Running U.S. National Championship. A point system is in place throughout the U.S. series enabling the top 15 finishers at Avon Running races to accumulate points in order to win their way to the final U.S. series event.

While runners are competing in this year's series, last year's qualifiers are preparing for the Avon Running Global Championship, which will be held in Central Park on May 22 as part of the prestigious Avon Running New York Mini Marathon. Invited women include the 1998 Avon Running champions from each country on the circuit, the top 15 world-ranked 10K runners, and a field of about 8,000 local participants. They will be chasing a total prize purse of $50,000, the richest women's 10K purse ever.

Avon Running is the only global series of its kind for women of all abilities and fitness levels, encompassing 10K runs, 5K walks and fun runs, as well as beginner workshops. The program is an example of Avon's commitment to providing women the opportunity to take charge of their health and fitness and helping women realize their individual potential.

Avon is the world's leading direct seller of beauty and related products, with $5.2 billion in annual revenues. Avon markets to women in 135 countries through 2.7 million independent Sales Representatives. Avon product lines include such recognizable brands as Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Avon Color, Far Away, Rare Gold, Natori, Millennia, Josie, Starring, Avon Skin Care, and Women of Earth. Avon is also one of the world's largest manufacturers of fashion jewelry, and markets an extensive line of apparel, gifts and collectibles.

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

Information and applications for Avon Running can be obtained by calling 212-282-5350 or on the website: http://www.avonrunning.com.