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TEGLA LOROUPE WINS 4th. AVON RUNNING TEGLA LOROUPE WINS 4th. AVON RUNNING 10-K GLOBAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN BANGKOK
American Amy Yoder-Begley Is Close 2nd
2002-11-14
BANGKOK, THAILAND, November 10, 2002: Tegla Loroupe of Kenya and Detmold, Germany today won the 4th Avon Running Global Championship in a time of 33:55 and took home a first prize check of $5,000. It was the fastest womens 10K time ever run in Thailand. Amy Yoder-Begley of Kendallville, IN was 2nd in 34:06 and America Mateos Guzman of Mexico was 3rd in 34:16.A world class field and 2000 other women of all abilities ran and walked the AIMS and IAAF certified 10-kilometer course and 5-kilometer fun run through the downtown Bangkok streets, past the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and finishing at the famous Equestrian Statue of King Rama V. Temperature at the dawn start was a humid 75 degrees but rose rapidly, slowing the times. The total prize purse for the event was 700,000 Thai Baht, or $17, 760.
The first Avon Representative athlete was Rosirene Ferreira da Silva, Brazil, in 38:44 and the first Thai athlete was Sunisa Sailomyen who set a new Thailand National Record of 37:05. (The old record was 39:25).
Sponsored by Avon Cosmetics (Thailand) Co. Ltd, and held under royal patronage and in conjunction with the Amateur Athletics Association of Thailand, the event benefited the National Cancer Institute of Thailand.
The Avon Running Global Championship features the winners from 13 Avon races in 11 countries who have won their way to the event. No other elite athletes are paid to race in Bangkok, although any woman is welcome to sign up and start. Despite that, running super-star Tegla Loroupe from Kenya financed her own travels to Thailand, delighting race organizers. Loroupe is the 1999 Avon Running Global Champion, two-time winner of the New York City Marathon and former world record holder in the marathon. Loroupe trains in Detmold, Germany.
"Originally, I was coming to Bangkok just to accompany my teammate Restituta Joseph," Loroupe commented. "But when she could not run here, I decided to race myself for the cause of women. This event is extremely important as it gives women all over the world a chance to run together like this, in an international spotlight. I am particularly proud to help inspire the women of Thailand who are still new to running." Loroupe was mobbed by an autograph-seeking adoring public here.
For Yoder-Begley, who is a former 15-time All American from the University of Arkansas, it was her first big international race. She was not intimidated by Loroupe and stayed with the champion for the first 5 Km. At 6 Km she was back 20 yards, but always threatened and kept steady pressure on Loroupe right through the finishing tape.
The other Americans were Kristin Haper, Santa Monica, CA in 15th, Gordon Bakoulis, New York City, 17th, and Margo Braud, Austin, TX 25th. Janet Robertz of Shorewood, MN could not start due to injury.
The Avon countries sending winning athletes to the Avon Running Global Championship in Bangkok include USA, Hungary, Italy, Brazil, Germany, Indonesia, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Thailand. Previous Avon Running Global Championships were held in 1999 in New York City (Tegla Loroupe, winner); in 2000 in Milan, Italy (Sonia OSullivan, winner); and in 2001 in Budapest, Hungary (Catherine Ndereba, winner).
In addition to this event in Thailand, Avon now supports breast cancer programs in nearly 50 countries that fund access to care and finding a cure, with a total of some $235 million raised as of July 2002.
Avon is the worlds leading direct seller of beauty and related products, with approximately $6.0 billion in annual revenues. For more than a century Avon has provided women with economic opportunity, and the company currently markets to women in 143 countries through 3.5 million impendent sales Representatives. Avon is committed to womens health and empowerment through the Avon Foundation as well as the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade and the Avon Worldwide Fund for Womens Health. Product lines include such recognizable brands as Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques Hair Care, becoming and Avon Wellness. The company also markets an extensive line of fashion jewelry, apparel, gifts and collectibles. More information on Avon and its products and programs can be found on the companys website http://www.avon.com.
For more information on Avon Running contact:
Kathrine Switzer
Global Program Director
In Bangkok, by cellphone: 1-646-643-5554
For more information on Avon Products, Inc. contact:
Susan Haney
Director of Public Relations
212-282-5668
Results:
1. Tegla Laroupe, Kenya, 0:33:55
2. Amy Yoder Begley, USA, 0:34:06
3. America Meteos Gusman, Mexico, 0:34:16
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