(New York, May 2006) – Runners from across the region and as far away as Colorado are preparing to converge on Westchester County on Sunday, June 11 for the inaugural Need for Speed: Relay Against Domestic Violence, a nine-leg competitive race from Bear Mountain to New Rochelle. Honorary Team Captain is Joe Torre, Manager of the New York Yankees, and among the participants is Joe’s wife, Ali Torre, who is running with the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation team, which is one of 100 teams taking part.

Domestic violence knows no boundaries – geographic, social or economic. It affects one in three women worldwide, and a woman is assaulted or beaten in the U.S. every nine seconds. Men can be victims, too, and 10 million American children witness domestic violence each year.

The Need for Speed: Relay Against Domestic Violence is the newest initiative of the Foundation's "Speak Out Against Domestic Violence" program launched in 2004. This new relay race will raise funds and awareness to help end the cycle of domestic violence, with a special focus on helping children.

Joe’s mother, Margaret, was a victim of domestic violence, and the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation, established in her memory, will receive the Avon Foundation’s initial grant from funds raised in the race. The funds will be used to establish a "Margaret's Place" in Westchester County. "Margaret's Place" is a unique program that helps middle and high school students deal with domestic and teen dating violence by providing a designated safe place in their school, offering counseling, education and peer leadership.

“I encourage everyone to join me in supporting the Need for Speed Relay Against Domestic Violence," stated Torre. "The impact of the domestic violence I experienced while growing up has been with me my entire life, and we need to do all we can to raise funds and awareness to help break this vicious cycle and let all our kids feel safe at home. I am proud that my wife will be running in this event, and hope others will get involved as well.”

The Need for Speed Relay Route and Participants
The inaugural Need for Speed Relay takes place in Westchester County, NY, on Sunday, June 11, 2006, covering a 60-mile, nine-leg course, with legs of four to eleven miles from Bear Mountain Bridge to New Rochelle, NY on the Long Island Sound. Runners of every level of expertise are taking part, with 100 teams consisting of six to nine women and/or men from Westchester, Rockland, New York City, Connecticut, New Jersey and states as far away as Colorado. Teams include independent groups as well as those sponsored by clubs, corporations and organizations.

Event sponsor Bally’s Total Fitness will provide warm-ups before the race begins and trainers at the eight "transfer points" all along the relay route.

Celebration and Education at the Finish-Line Festivities
The event will culminate on New Street in “New Roc City” in downtown New Rochelle, where Need for Speed Relay participants, family, friends and spectators will celebrate together at a finish-line festival complete with music, food, beverages and awards for the top teams. The majority of the activities will take place 2:00-6:00 pm, including awards presentation at 4:00. The program includes food and beverages generously donated and hosted by Buffalo Wild Wings and music by sponsor Q104.3. All finishers will receive a gift bag and a complimentary hot shower, courtesy of Bally’s Total Fitness. Runners who raise or donate at least $50 on or before the Relay (above the registration fee) will receive special access to a VIP area with free massage as well as a VIP goody bag.

An information area to support domestic violence education and awareness will be hosted by representatives from the area organizations such as the Guidance Center of New Rochelle, Pace University Legal Center, Northern Westchester Shelter, Blythdale Children's Hospital and a few others from New York City. All of these organizations are funded by the Avon Foundation under the "Speak Out Against Domestic Violence” program.

The Avon Foundation Need For Speed: Relay Against Domestic Violence is generously supported by: Official Water FIJI; Event Partners: Bally Total Fitness, Buffalo Wild Wings and Marriott Residence Inn New Rochelle; and Media Partner Q104.3.

Still Time to Get Involved!
The team registration fee ranged from $400 for early registration to $600 for late registration after May 15, with incentive prizes for fundraising. Runners can still sign up and volunteers are still welcome for many roles throughout the day. More information and registration is available at 888-NFS-RELAY or www.needforspeedrelay.org.

About the Avon Foundation
The Avon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women, and today focuses on breast cancer and domestic violence. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade supports access to care and finding a cure, with the best known event the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The Speak Out Against Domestic Violence initiative focuses on education, prevention and direct service programs, with fundraising through product sales and events such as the Need for Speed Relay Against Domestic Violence. Through 2005 Avon philanthropic programs in 50 countries have raised and awarded more than $450 million worldwide. For Avon Foundation information visit www.avonfoundation.org or to register for the relay visit www.needforspeedrelay.org.

About the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation
Joe Torre’s personal commitment to the issue of domestic violence stems from the fear he lived with growing up as a child in Brooklyn. Spurred by the abuse he witnessed and endured, Torre and his wife, Ali, founded the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation in 2002 – in memory of Joe’s mother, Margaret. The Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that all children have an opportunity to grow up in a safe and abuse-free environment. Its goal is to raise awareness and to develop educational programs aimed at ending the cycle of domestic violence and saving lives. For additional information on the Foundation, please visit www.joetorre.org.