The Michelin Man(TM) Offers a Free Ride for Ironman Athletes; Michelin North America, Inc. Sponsors the Ironman(R) 'Hometown Heroes' Program

GREENVILLE, S.C., April 18 -- Sandy beaches, bright sun, and the Michelin Man(TM) will create an unforgettable trip to Hawaii for one lucky Ironman athlete. Michelin North America, Inc. sponsors the Michelin Ironman "Hometown Heroes" program, a lottery system giving 205 amateur triathletes a shot to reach their dreams of participating in the 25th anniversary edition of the world's most recognized endurance event.

In addition, Michelin is offering to help lottery winners achieve their goals by conducting an essay contest where one lucky "Hometown Hero" will receive an all-expense paid trip for two to the 2003 Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Oct. 16 to 19, 2003. Essays can be submitted April 15 to July 7, 2003 and will require athletes to answer in 500 words or less, "Explain how one special person has pushed you to be your best during triathlon training and why you would like him/her to be waiting at the finish line of the Ironman Championship in Hawaii?" For contest rules and entry forms, visit www.michelinman.com.

"The Michelin Ironman Hometown Heroes Contest is another way for Michelin to reward lottery winners by offering them an all-expenses paid trip to the championship," said Ken Strominger, executive vice president of marketing and licensing for World Triathlon Corporation. "Competing in the Ironman at Kona is a dream for these athletes, and this contest allows one athlete to share this experience with someone special who has inspired them to be the best."

Each year, more than 50,000 athletes from around the world compete at 24 qualifying events for one of the 1,500 coveted starting spots for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. In addition, 4,300 athletes were entered in the Michelin-sponsored Ironman "Hometown Heroes" lottery for the chance to win one of 205 starting slots for the championship race. The computerized drawing chose 150 American athletes, 50 international athletes and five physically challenged athletes.

"Ironman athletes personify dedication, hard work and perseverance," said Sheryl Henderson, director of Michelin Brand. "Michelin is proud to support these athletes, whether they're riding to the gym on Michelin Cross Terrain SUV tires or training on their bikes with Michelin Ironman bicycle tires."

Michelin makes the official bicycle tire of the Ironman Triathlon. The Michelin(R) Ironman(R) road racing tire shares the same construction as the Tour de France Michelin(R) Pro Race(TM) tire and combines Michelin's legendary performance and race proven technology with one of the most respected and identifiable names in multisport.

Ironman Triathlon World Championship

The Ironman Triathlon World Championship will take place in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, on Oct. 18, 2003 where competitors (ages 18 to 84) will have 17 hours to finish a 2.4-mile ocean swim, 112-mile bike race and 26.2-mile run. Cut- off times will be applied to each segment of the race.

The swim segment begins and ends at Kailua Pier. The bike race travels north on the Kona Coast through scorching lava fields and along the Kohala Coast to the small village of Hawi. The race then returns along the same route to transition for the marathon. The marathon course travels through Kailua-Kona and onto the same highway used for the bike race. Contestants run back into Kailua-Kona, coming down Alii Drive to the cheers of more than 25,000 people at the finish line.

Ironman History

The Ironman Triathlon was born on the Hawaiian island of Oahu in 1978. The event was moved to the Big Island in 1981 to the town of Kailua-Kona. In 1983, race organizers implemented a qualifying system to accommodate the growing number of athletes wanting to participate in the race. The lottery was established in that same year to offer a unique opportunity for everyday athletes to race alongside the world's greatest triathletes. The international lottery was established in 1999.

Once considered extreme, the Ironman Triathlon World Championship has become the international standard for personal achievement and performance.

About Michelin North America, Inc.

Michelin manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs 24,640 people and operates 22 plants in 18 locations.

For more information visit www.ironmanlive.com or www.michelinman.com.