Saturday March 27, 1999
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Race Report Saturday March 27, 1999 |
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DALLAS KICKS OFF U.S. SERIES OF AVON RUNNING GLOBAL WOMEN’S CIRCUIT
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On a cool, windswept morning, the crowd of women celebrated the start of the 1999 Avon Running U.S. series by running, walking and strolling through the streets of downtown Dallas.
Catriona Dowling, 40, of Boulder, Colorado, took her first strides toward an Avon Running national championship title by winniing the Dallas race.. Dowling, the Masters winner of last year’s Avon Running — Kansas City 10K, won her first overall title of the series by posting a time of 38 minutes 34 seconds. Her 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 Avon Running Global Championship which will be held in the year 2000.
Frances McKissick, 36, of Irving, Texas, took second place in 40:23. Third- place finisher Karen Pelton, 33, of Topeka, Kansas, completed the 6.2-mile distance in 40:52. Margo Braud, 40, of Austin, was the fourth-place finisher and first Masters (40+) runner. As the first Avon Sales Representative to cross the finish line, Pelton, like Dowling, is awarded travel and accommodations to Cincinnati for the Avon Running U.S. National Championship. By virtue of her Masters victory, Braud also earns a trip to the national championship race.
“We are thrilled about the excitement generated by the Avon Running — Dallas event,” said Kathrine Switzer, Program Director for Avon Running. “It is Avon’s goal to get women to the starting line of fitness, and we certainly saw that today in Dallas.”
The Dallas event marks the first of a 10-city U.S. series, which is part of a 12-country global Avon race circuit. Up next is Atlanta (April 10) followed by Denver (May 8), Baltimore (June 13), Sacramento (June 19), Hartford (July 10), Portland (July 25), Chicago (September 26), Kansas City (October 3), and Cincinnati (October 31).
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. In addition, 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 also win their way to the final U.S. series event.
As runners are competing for 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.
In addition to today’s Avon Running — Dallas 10K, more than 300 women participated in the 5K walk/fun run, as well as the inaugural Girl Power! Mile, which was open to girls ages 9-14. Among the participants in the 5K were Clarice Tinsley, KDFW-TV Fox 4 News Anchor, and Gail Lightfoot, Metro Traffic reporter for KHKS-FM (KISS-FM) 106.1 radio. Lightfoot participated in a Mother/Daughter team with her15-year-old daughter Katy Williams of Richardson, Texas.
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.
“I am so proud to have won the Avon Running — Dallas race,” Ms. Dowling, who was born in Balbriggan, Country Dublin, Ireland, told the audience upon receiving her first-place award. “I would like to tell all the women who stepped to the starting line and then crossed the finish line that I am proud of you, and to remember that the race may be over, but your commitment to fitness should be forever. And thank you, Avon, for helping get that message to women all around the world.
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: www.avon.com.
Information and applications for Avon Running can be obtained by calling 212/282-5350 or on the website: www.avonrunning.com.