Sunday November 8, 1998
| Race Report Sunday November 8, 1998 |
CHICAGO (November 8, 1998) -- Jody Hawkins of Blooming Grove, Texas, captured the Avon
Running National Championship Title today with a winning time of
33:52. The 10K event was held in conjunction with a 5K fitness walk in the
Morton Grove suburb of Chicago.
Hawkins, age 32 and a competitive runner, qualified for the Avon Running National Championship following her overall win at the Avon Running - Dallas 10K held last May. She was among 36 top U.S. women athletes who came to Chicago as division winners or point qualifiers resulting from their performances at one of the prior 10 Avon Running U.S. events this year. Avon provided travel and accommodations to the top three division winners and point qualifiers from each U.S. race on the Avon Running -- Global Women's Circuit including: the overall winner, the masters (age 40+) winner, and the first Avon Sales Representative.
In winning the Avon Running National Championship, Hawkins holds the esteemed position of representing the U.S. at the Avon Running - Global Women's Championship to be held in New York on May 22, 1999. The Avon Running -- Global Championship will feature a prize purse of $50,000, making it the richest 10K event in the history of women's running. The winners from the 16 countries on the global circuit, as well as many of the world's elite women runners and more than 7,000 local participants are expected to vie for the Global Title.
Hawkins has had two children in the past three years and is now on a remarkable one-year comeback. Ranked as high as No. 6 in the road running world rankings in 1993 and 1994, Hawkins is now back on the roads and performing very well. She has qualified for the Olympic Trials three times (1988, 1992 and 1996) and is hoping to make the 2,000 Olympic Trials in the 5,000 and 10,000-meters. "This was a very significant win for me today," said Hawkins. "I really felt good out there. My running continues to improve. I'm showing that I can return and that I can be competitive."
Suzanne Castruita of Omaha, Neb. (34:17) and Stephanie Dueringer of Indianapolis, Ind. (34:50) finished in second and third places respectively. Jane Welzel, age 43, of Fort Collins, CO. was the masters division winner finishing 6th overall with a time of 35:20. The first Avon Sales Representative was Judy Walls, age 40, of Piedmont, S.C. who finished 28th overall with a time of 38:40.
Also participating in the event to lend motivation and support were women's running legends Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially run a marathon, and Joan Benoit Samuelson, winner of the 1984 Olympic Gold Medal in the marathon. Grete Waitz, nine-time New York City marathon champion and Susan Kropf, President of Avon North America, led more than 900 women in the 5K fitness walk.
"Avon recognizes the vital role fitness plays in women's health and in the betterment of women's lives overall," stated Susan Kropf, President of Avon North America. "Our goal in launching Avon Running is to encourage women worldwide to the starting line of fitness and to achieve their aspirations."
Emphasizing women's health and self-esteem, Avon Products, Inc. launched the Avon Running- Global Women's Circuit in March 1998. Unprecedented in women's running, the circuit is comprised of a series of 10K runs, 5K fitness walks and pre-event fitness clinics held in 11 U.S. cities and in 16 countries. It is the only circuit offering women of all ages and fitness abilities the opportunity to pursue racing, moderate running or just simple fitness. To date, more than 40,000 women have participated in Avon Running.
Avon is the world's leading direct seller of beauty and related products, with $5.1 billion in annual revenues. Avon markets to women in 135 countries through 2.6 independent sales representatives. Avon product lines include such recognizable brands as Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Avon Color, Far Away, Rare Gold, Natori, Millenia, 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 on Avon Running may be obtained by calling (212) 282- 5350 or through the Avon Running website: www.avonrunning.com.