Avis Sponsorship of The ING New York City Marathon Proves 'It's About The Drive'

'We Try Harder' Awards for Athletes with Disabilities and Consumer Promotion Highlight Avis' First Year as Official Rental Car of the ING New York City Marathon

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Oct. 29 -- Avis Rent A Car System, Inc. today announced that it will broaden its support of this year's ING New York City Marathon. In its first year as the official rental car of the ING New York Marathon, Avis is the official sponsor of Athletes with Disabilities and presenting sponsor of the Wheelchair Division. For the second consecutive year, Avis is also the official sponsor of the Achilles Track Club.

In connection with its sponsorship, Avis also announced a consumer promotion that will award grand prizes of one-year XM Satellite Radio subscriptions as well as free and discounted Avis rentals. Now through November 15, Avis expects to distribute approximately 75,000 scratch-off cards throughout the New York City metropolitan area. While supplies last, customers who rent during this promotional period will receive a scratch-off card. Additionally, Avis representatives will be distributing the promotional cards to spectators along the 26.2-mile course that winds its way through the five boroughs of New York City on marathon Sunday.

"Avis has a long history in New York so it's a great honor to continue to be a part of this exciting event," said Scott Deaver, executive vice president of Cendant Car Rental Group, parent company of Avis. "As the official sponsor of athletes with disabilities we're proud to be supporting a group of competitors that truly 'tries harder.'"

Race Day Support

Avis employees, family and friends will be on-hand at the early start for Athletes with disabilities at 8:00am, the Wheelchair division start at 9:05am and at the Handcycle start at 9:15am. Smiling Avis representatives will also be at the finish line to congratulate these very special athletes on their incredible achievement.

For the second consecutive year, Avis vehicles will service as wheelchair repair stations throughout the course.

The 72nd Street transverse of Central Park has been designated by the New York Road Runners as the official Family Reunion area for the friends and families of the athletes with disabilities who will be competing. As part of its sponsorship, Avis will be supplying refreshments and support at this key venue. From this area, an Avis bus will work long into the evening to transport athletes with disabilities, including those in wheelchairs, home from the marathon.

Avis "We Try Harder" Awards

As the official sponsor of athletes with disabilities and the Wheelchair division, Avis will award the first annual "We Try Harder" award to the top performing male and female competitors in the handcycle category. In addition, an Achilles - Avis "We Try Harder" award will be presented to Jim Mulzet, a 40-year old New Yorker with Cerebral Palsy, competing in his first marathon.

About the Achilles Track Club

The Achilles Track Club, an international non-profit organization was established in 1983 to train, educate and encourage athletes with disabilities to compete with the general public in long distance running events. The New York City Marathon includes the largest contingent of athletes with disabilities of any marathon in the world.

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 rental car brand in the 2003 Brand Keys(R) Customer Loyalty Awards and tying for number one in the 2003 J.D. Power & Associates rental car customer satisfaction study. 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. For more information visit www.avis.com or www.cendant.com/media.

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