Elite Athletes From Around The World Compete For Richest Women's 10K Prize Purse
Event Drew More Than 4,000 Women, Including 50 Americans
Sonia O'Sullivan crossing the finish line
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Milan, Italy (May 21, 2000) - Sonia O'Sullivan of Ireland captured the Avon Running Global Championship title today, crossing the finish line in the historic Napoleonic Arena after running the 10K course through the heart of Milan. She covered the distance in 30:59, finishing ahead of second-place and defending champion Tegla Loroupe of Kenya, who finished in 31:20. Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia came in third with a time of 31:40.
Loroupe led for the initial 5K, followed closely by Tulu and O'Sullivan through the historic streets of Milan. O'Sullivan passed Loroupe at the 6K mark and slowly increased her lead until she entered the Arena alone, breaking the tape at one of the better times recorded for a 10K road race.
O'Sullivan was awarded $15,000 for finishing first, while Loroupe took home $10,000 for second, and Tulu earned $7,000 for her third-place finish. A total of $50,000 in prize money, the richest women's 10K purse, was shared among the top overall finishers and the top three masters (over 40) division finishers. The race was designated as the official Italian National Women's 10K Road Championship by FIDAL, the Italian Athletic Federation, and, as such, an additional $5,900 was awarded to the top Italian athletes: Agata Balsamo, Rosaria Console and Silvana Trampuz.
Sonis O'Sullivan with crown |
"I feel great about winning the Avon Championship," stated O'Sullivan. "It was wonderful competing with world-class athletes like Tegla and Derartu, and finishing in the Arena, especially with my baby daughter, Ciara, waiting for me at the finish. I hope I can be an inspiration to other women to be involved with running and stay fit and healthy."
U.S. Athletes (Michelle LaFleur, Jane Welzel, Alisa Harvey, Judy Walls) |
The prestigious women-only 10K run (6.2 miles) uniquely showcased top international and U.S. athletes alongside women of every age and fitness level in one unified event. More than 4,000 women participated in both the 10K race and 5K walk/run, representing 21 countries.
Included in the 10K were the winners of the 1999 Avon Running U.S. National Championship. Each U.S. winner won an expense paid trip to Milan for the Global Championship. Those running in the Milan championship included:
- Michelle LaFleur of Savannah, GA (2nd place finisher at the Avon Running U.S. National Championship) finished in 16th place overall with a time of 34:54.
- Alisa Harvey of Manassas, VA (3rd place finisher at the Avon Running U.S. National Championship) finished in 21st place with a time of 35:30.
- Jane Welzel of Fort Collins, CO (Master winner at Avon Running U.S. National Championship) finished in 29th place overall and captured the Masters title for the Global Championship with a time of 36:54.
- Judy Walls of Piedmont, SC (Avon Sales Representative winner at Avon Running U.S. National Championship) finished in 43rd place with a time of 40:20.
The race was made especially compelling by an elite field of world class athletes, including today's top three finishers. Sonia O'Sullivan holds gold medals from the 1998 World Cross Country Championship, and both the 5000 and 10,000 meters in the1998 European Games. The defending Avon Running Global Champion and today's second place finisher, Tegla Loroupe, holds the world's best time for the Women's Marathon (2:20:43), and is the recent winner of the London Marathon. She is also the two-time winner of the New York City Marathon̉ (1994 & 1995). Derartu Tulu captured the gold medal at the 2000 World Cross Country Championship and the gold at the inaugural Women's Olympic 10,000 meters in Barcelona in 1992.
The 10K course through Milan passed many historic and artistic landmarks of importance to the city's social and sports life: Sempione Park, Via Manzoni, Via Monte Napoleone, Piazza San Babila, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Piazza della Scala, Piazza del Duomo, Via Dante and Sforzesco Castle.
International Athletes Competing in Milan
Avon Running international events were held in 12 countries in 1999. The champions of these circuit races were awarded travel to Milan to represent their countries in the Avon Running Global Championship, and many of these athletes are the best runners in their countries. This year's Global Championship included Avon champions from Brazil, Canada, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico and Thailand, in addition to the U.S.
Avon Running 2000 Events
The 2000 Avon Running Global Women's Circuit includes 27 events in 12 countries. This is the third year of Global circuit, which kicked off with a race on March 12 in Cagayun de Oro City, Philippines, and will visit 11 additional countries through the year. The 10-city U.S. series launched May 13 in Denver with a 10K run and 5K walk/run, and continues to nine more cities around the country, including in the Avon Running U.S. National Championship in Phoenix, Arizona on December 10. The Avon Running 2000 series will culminate at the third annual Global Championship, which will be held in Budapest, Hungary in October 2001.
Avon Running Global Women's Circuit Promotes Benefits of Regular Exercise
The Avon Running Global Women's Circuit creates a competitive environment for emerging women runners around the world, but it also builds upon the program's mission to communicate the message of health and fitness, particularly cardiovascular fitness, to thousands of women worldwide. Through Avon Running, women learn about the benefits of a regular running and walking regimen, one of the most accessible and affordable forms of exercise for even the busiest women. The program includes a 5K walk as well as 10K run to offer participation opportunities for the nearly 40% of the women in the Avon Running program who are beginners.
In addition to the events, women can participate in the Avon Running training clinics, one of the unique aspects of the Avon Running program. These grassroots training workshops, which are held for 8-12 weeks, are conducted in each race city, providing beginning runners and walkers with invaluable information and guidance from leading experts in running, fitness and health. Studies show that regular running and walking can substantially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, the number one cause of death among U.S. women, as well as significantly reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer and other diseases.
Additional information and race applications for Avon Running events are available by calling
(212) 282-5350 or on the Avon Running web site at www.avonrunning.com.
Avon is the world's leading direct seller of beauty and related products, with $5.3 billion in annual revenues. Avon markets to women in 137 countries through 3 million independent Sales Representatives. Avon product lines include such recognizable brands as Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Avon Color, Far Away, Rare Gold, Perceive and Women of Earth. Avon also markets an extensive line of fashion jewelry, apparel, gifts and collectibles. In addition to the Avon Running Global Women's Circuit, Avon is committed to women through programs such as the Avon Worldwide Fund for Women's Health, which supports programs in 30 countries; the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade in the U.S.; and Avon Women of Enterprise, a program for American women entrepreneurs. More information on Avon and its products and programs can be found on the company's web site: www.avon.com.
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Race Results - Top 10
Place Name Country Time Prize Money
1 Sonia O'Sullivan Ireland 30:59 $15,000
2 Tegla Loroupe Kenya 31:20 $10,000
3 Derartu Tulu Ethiopia 31:40 $7,000
4 Helena Sampaio Portugal 32:22 $4,500
5 Agata Balsamo Italy 32:47 $2,500
6 Rosaria Console Italy 33:31 $2,000
7 Fabiana Da Silva * Brazil 33:42 $1,750
8 Beata Rackonczai + Hungary 33:43 $1,500
9 Rakiya Maraoui France 33:50 $1,250
10 Silvana Trampuz Italy 33:53 $1,000
* Avon employee + Avon Sales Representative
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