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Saturday November 18, 2000 Race Report

Full Results

Avon Announces Winners of Avon Running-Tampa
Judy Maguire and Lisa Webb Finish First and Second at First Annual Event
The Centre for Women Receives a $5,000 Donation

Tampa - November 18, 2000 -- Judy Maguire of Clearwater, FL, captured the Avon Running-Tampa title today with a winning time of 36:45. Over 700 women of every age and fitness level participated in this year's Avon Running event, which included a 10K run (6.2 miles) and 5K walk/run (3.1 miles). The Avon Running Global Women's Circuit 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 Running-Tampa champion, Maguire, 41, took home the $500 first prize and won an expense-paid trip to Phoenix, AZ, for the Avon Running National Championship on December 10. Lisa Webb, 35, from London, England, finished second overall winning $250; and Laure Blume, 35, from Pinellas Park, FL, finished third, winning $150. Elaine Nicholson, 42, from St. Petersburg, FL, won $100 as the top Master finisher; and Patricia Banks, 48, from Hayward, CA, was the winner of the Avon Representative division. Both Nicholson and Banks also won expense-paid trips to the Avon Running National Championship.

"Through Avon Running, thousands of women in the Tampa Bay area and around the world are getting to the starting line of fitness and realizing their individual potential, said Connie Saltoff, Division Sales Manager for Avon Products.

Saltoff presented a check for $5,000 to The Centre for Women, the charitable beneficiary of this year's Tampa event, on behalf of the Avon Products Foundation. Additionally, a portion of each entry fee benefited the local nonprofit organization that provides programs to empower women, girls, families and the elderly to achieve self-sufficiency. "We are extremely grateful to Avon Running for selecting The Centre for Women as the beneficiary for this year's event," said Beth Ficquette, Executive Director of The Centre for Women. "Our clients have and will benefit in so many different ways as a result of this wonderful program."

In the field of over 700, a team of women from The Centre for Women, along with some 260 additional women and girls, participated in today's event as the culmination of a 10-week training session designed for them by Avon Running, the Tampa Bay Runners and St. Joseph's Women's Hospital.

During 2000, Avon Running events will have taken place in nine U.S. cities, including four new to the circuit:

* Hartford, CT                  July 8
* Portland, OR                  July 23
* Minneapolis/St.Paul, MN               August 12 (new)
* Albuquerque, NM               August 13 (new)
* Baltimore, MD                 September 10
* Kansas City, MO               October 1
* Cincinnati, OH                        October 15
* Tampa, FL                     November 18  (new)
* Phoenix, AZ *                 December 10 (new)

* The Phoenix event is also the Avon Running National Championship, in which winners from all preceding U.S. events will vie for the national title alongside women of every age and ability.

Avon Running Global Women's Circuit Promotes Benefits of Regular Exercise

The Avon Running Global Women's Circuit 2000 is building upon the program's two-year success of spreading the word about health and fitness, particularly cardiovascular disease, 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 both a 10K run and 5K fitness walk to offer participation opportunities for the nearly 40 percent of the women in the Avon Running program who are beginners. Studies show that regular running and walking can substantially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, the number one cause of death among 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 136 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. More information on Avon and its products can be found on the company's award-winning web site: www.avon.com.

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