Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee to Speak to Youth Training For the L.A. Marathon

 More Than 2,000 Students Will be on Hand at the Kick-Off Training Event

   WHAT:     On behalf of American Honda, six-time Olympic Medalist, Jackie
             Joyner-Kersee will be on hand as the Students Run L.A. kick-off
             its training program for the City of Los Angeles Marathon on
             September 24 at the California State University, Dominguez
             Hills campus (CSUDH).  Along with CSUDH president, Dr. James
             Lyons, Sr., Joyner-Kersee will provide motivational remarks to
             the SRLA students and discuss her personal experiences with
             overcoming obstacles and setting goals.  Joyner-Kersee will
             also lead the inaugural one-mile run with the students.
             Students will have the opportunity to participate in a
             20-minute workshop with the Olympian on health and fitness.

   WHO:      * Jackie Joyner-Kersee, six-time Olympic medalist and
               considered one of the greatest athletes of all time
             * Dr. James Lyons, Sr., president of California State
               University, Dominguez Hills
             * Marsha Charney, executive director, Students Run L.A., a
               non-profit organization that helps at-risk middle and high
               school students realize their potential and enhance their
               self-esteem by training for and completing the 26.2-mile L.A.
               Marathon

   VISUALS:  * More than 2,000 students participating in the one-mile kick-
               off run
             * SRLA students listening to motivational tips from Jackie
               Joyner-Kersee
             * Students participating in training, fitness and nutritional
               workshops

   WHEN:     Saturday, September 24, 2005
             Program begins at 8 a.m.
             Interview and Photo Opportunities begin at 11:15 a.m.

   WHERE:    California State University, Dominguez Hills
             Toro Dome
             Carson, Calif.

  BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

SRLA enables at-risk middle and high school students to realize their potential and enhance their self-esteem by training for and completing the 26.2-mile L.A. Marathon. Recent statistics show that more than 90 percent of SRLA seniors graduate from high school, compared to only approximately 60 percent in the L.A. Unified School District. Since the program's inception, more than 17,000 Los Angeles area students have benefited from the program.

For more than 15 years, Honda has sponsored Joyner-Kersee as an athlete and as an individual who is committed to improving the lives of youth throughout the country. Like Honda, Joyner-Kersee has advocated using the power of dreams to set and achieve goals.

PRNewswire -- Sept. 23