Athletes With Disabilities Get Boost From Avis

PARSIPPANY, N.J. & NEW YORK--Oct. 24, 2002--Avis Rent A Car System, Inc. has agreed to be the primary 2002 sponsor of this year's roster of athletes with disabilities participating in the New York City Marathon, according to the Achilles Track Club.
    Over two hundred athletes with disabilities, most representing Achilles Track Clubs from throughout the world, will participate in the November 3, 2002 event. Close to thirty thousand athletes in all will compete.
    Organizer and Achilles Track Club founder Dick Traum said, "Having Avis help fund the organization for this event is the greatest gift imaginable. Our athletes are honored to have a supportive international partner that recognizes that Achilles Track Club members, like Avis employees, are proud to say, `We try harder.' With the support of Avis, this promises to be our greatest marathon in our 19 year history."
    Avis employees and Achilles Track Club headquarters staff and volunteers will welcome and host participants from 22 states and 27 countries, as these challenged athletes prepare to cover the 26.2 mile race across five bridges and multiple roadways connecting the five boroughs of New York City. Avis vehicles, serving as emergency wheelchair repair and rest stations, will be strategically located to help as needed throughout the marathon. An additional Avis "reception" vehicle will be placed at the 72nd Street Transverse in Central Park, close to the finish line, signaling a family gathering and reunion location for the participants, their families and friends.
    "Avis is proud to team up with the Achilles Track Club and to support the `We Try Harder' spirit of its athletes," said Scott Deaver, executive vice president of marketing for Avis. "Whether for a marathon, or for a vacation, we are committed to enabling travel as much as possible for people with disabilities."
    The Achilles Track Club encourages people with disabilities to exercise and participate in events like the New York race. "This event helps give each participant an enormous sense of accomplishment," said Traum. "Even when some of our members can't complete the race, each and every one of them is a true winner."

    About The Achilles Track Club
    The Achilles Track Club (ATC) is a worldwide organization that encourages people with all kinds of disabilities to participate in distance running with the general public. Dick Traum, an above-the-knee amputee marathoner, established Achilles in 1983. Achilles has more than 110 chapters on six continents, with over 40 chapters in the United States and more than 70 chapters in countries as diverse as Mongolia, Vietnam, South Africa, Japan, New Zealand, Norway and the Dominican Republic. The Club supports weekly running and training activities, long distance wheel chair workouts and individual coaching for its members. Particular emphasis is placed on assisting children. Through its work and various outreach programs, Achilles enhances the image of people with disabilities, empowers achievement through self-help, supports healthy lifestyles through participation and spirit building, and strives to eliminate barriers of misunderstanding. Further information on Achilles Track Club can be found at www.achillestrackclub.org.

    About Avis
    Avis Rent A Car System, Inc. and its subsidiaries operate the world's second largest general-use car rental brand, providing business and leisure customers with a wide range of services at more than 1,700 locations in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Latin/American Caribbean region. Avis is one of the world's top brands for customer loyalty, ranking as the number one brand overall among 158 ranked in the 2002 Brand Keys(R) Customer Loyalty Awards. Avis is also the exclusive car rental partner of Upromise(R), the way to save for college. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cendant Corporation , a diversified global provider of business and consumer services primarily within the real estate and travel sectors. Further information on Avis can be found at www.avis.com.