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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gregory Harris
Weinberg Harris & Associates
(410) 427-0123 ext. #222
e-mail: gharris@weinbergharris.com
AVON ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF AVON RUNNING-BALTIMORE
-Russian Newcomer Captures Title-
-Annapolis Resident Wins Masters Title-
Irina Suvorova, originally from Moscow and currently residing in Rockville,
Maryland, captured the Avon Running-Baltimore title on Sunday, September 10,
2000 with a winning event record time of 35:07 |
Baltimore, MD - September 10, 2000 - Irina Suvorova, originally from Moscow
and now residing in Rockville, Maryland, captured the Avon Running- Baltimore
title today with a winning event record time of 35:07. Placing first in the
Masters Division was Jill Hargis of Annapolis, MD who finished with a time of
37:32. More than 1,200 women of every age and fitness level participated in
the third annual Avon Running 10K run (6.2 miles) and 5K walk/run (3.1
miles)..
As the Avon Running - Baltimore champion, Suvorova took home the $500 first
place prize and won an expense-paid trip to Phoenix, Arizona to compete in the
Avon Running National Championship on December 10, 2000. Naoko Ishibe of
Washington, D.C. finished second overall winning $250, with a time of 35:45.
Carole Zajac of Pittsburgh took the third place $150 prize with a time of
35:55. In addition, 40 year-old Jill Hargis of Annapolis won $100 and secured
the first place spot in the Master's Division with a time of 37:32. Judy
Walls from Piedmont, S.C., was the winner of the Avon Sales Representative
division with a time of 39:32 and will be accompanying Suvorova and Hargis to
the Avon Running National Championship.
"As someone who is new to the United States and the women's running circuit, I
am proud that Avon Running-Baltimore marks my first U.S. victory," said
Suvorova. "I look forward to competing with other top U.S. athletes at the
Avon Running National Championship."
The beneficiaries of today's event extend far beyond the hundreds of women who
participated. A portion of every entry fee was donated to Women Entrepreneurs
of Baltimore (WEB), a nonprofit organization that provides business
development, training, technical assistance and follow-up services for
microbusiness development. WEB was founded on the premise that the economic
empowerment of women will help to strengthen the fabric of Baltimore's
neighborhoods.
Bill Singleton, regional sales director of Avon's Northeast Division,
presented two checks totaling $7,500 to Amanda Crook-Zinn, executive director
of Women's Entrepreneurs of Baltimore (WEB), the beneficiary of this year's
event. Joining Mr. Singleton during the awards ceremony was Honorary Event
Co-chair, Baltimore City Councilwoman Catherine Pugh.
Avon Running-Baltimore took place along Baltimore's world-renowned Inner
Harbor under sunny skies, with a slight breeze and temperatures in the 80's.
The course found participants traveling in and around Baltimore's scenic and
historic Inner Harbor and through Federal Hill, Locust Point and historic Fort
McHenry.
"I just turned 40 five days ago and my goal was to win this event," said
Hargis who won the overall title at the 1998 Avon Running-Atlanta 10K race.
"Staying fit and active are priorities in my life and I look forward to
competing in Phoenix."
Participants represented all ages and fitness levels including 83-year old
Hedy Marque of Alexandria, VA who completed the 10 K course in 1:09:40. There
were a total of 64 mother/daughter teams. There were a total of 450
participants from the Avon Running-Baltimore training sessions, a 12-week
series of walking and running clinics held each Thursday night at Polytechnic
High School track.
Avon Running-Baltimore is part of the 2000 Avon Running Global Women's
Circuit, the only international series of its kind to offer 10K runs (6.2
miles) and 5K walk/runs (3.1 miles) exclusively for women. Launched by Avon
Products, Inc. in 1998, Avon Running provides women of every fitness level the
opportunity to pursue elite racing, moderate running or simple fitness walking
in unified events, with programs offered in some twelve countries around the
world. The mission of Avon Running is to spread the message of health and
fitness, particularly cardiovascular fitness, and to engage women in a healthy
running or walking regimen, which is one of the most accessible and affordable
forms of exercise for even the busiest woman. To date over 100 thousand women
have taken part in Avon Running worldwide, including 1,200 registered for Avon
Running-Baltimore. Avon Running is one example of Avon's commitment to be the
company for women.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2000
10K RACE RESULTS
Place Name Time
1 Irina Suvorova 35:07
2 Naoko Ishibe 35:45
3 Carole Zajac 35:55
4 Connie Buckwalter 36:55
5 Alisa Harvey 37:15
6 Patricia Fulton 37:21
7 Jill Hargis 37:32
8 Hilary Cairns 37:48
9 Donna Moore 38:04
10 Laura Nelson 38:52
