Posted: July 11, 2005

Triathlon: Timex Ironman Triathlon Watches and Destination Cure to Identify America's 'Timex Top Performers,' Benefiting Multiple Sclerosis Research

Partnership Launches Nationwide Search for Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things

MIDDLEBURY, Conn., July 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Timex, a leader in precision timekeeping and maker of the popular Ironman Triathlon series of performance sport watches, today announced a partnership with Destination Cure -- The Race Against MS(TM), a non-profit dedicated to funding Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research, to conduct a nationwide search for Timex Top Performers -- ordinary people doing extraordinary things -- announcing two winners per month through 2005.

The national campaign, which kicks off with a $10,000 donation by Timex to Destination Cure, will shed light on unsung heroes across the country and help generate additional awareness surrounding the fundraising efforts of Destination Cure, a national 501 © (3) non-profit that contributes 100% of all contributions to MS research.

Timex Top Performers are the ultimate multi-taskers, always approaching life with eager enthusiasm and confronting challenges head-on with an optimistic attitude, never giving less than 110% while doing so.

Each month, beginning in July, entries will be reviewed and two winners will be selected as Timex Top Performers based on 100-word entry nominations gathered on http://www.timex.com/topperformer. In addition to having their stories profiled on Timex.com, each Timex Top Performer will receive a Timex Ironman gift pack and a $500 donation will be made in each winner's name to Destination Cure.

"With the support of Destination Cure, Timex Ironman is able to acknowledge the men and women who make a difference every day," says Jim Katz, PR Manager for Timex. "The Timex Top Performer program really allows us to applaud their efforts and celebrate the traits that the Timex Ironman Triathlon watch embodies -- passion, drive, quality and dependability."

For the last seven years, Destination Cure has focused its efforts exclusively on increasing the resources available for MS research. This nationwide search will complement its fundraising efforts.

"The Timex Top Performer search exemplifies Timex's utmost support for our organization's number one objective of supporting MS research," says John Guandolo, Founder and President of Destination Cure. "Partnering with Timex is a fantastic opportunity for us to accelerate our support."

Are you or someone you know a Timex Top Performer?

To kick-off the campaign, Timex and Destination Cure have already selected six individuals that exemplify the "Timex Top Performer" spirit. The recipients of this award and their extraordinary stories are as follows:

* Lieutenant Colonel Joe Fagan (USMC) competed in the NYC Marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon, and the JFK 50-Miler in 2004 -- amounting to over 102 miles in 20 days. A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Joe carried the U.S. flag for the duration of these events. Joe, who now lives in Alexandria, Virginia, says when the running gets tough, he thinks about the pain people with MS experience on a daily basis and knows that pain he feels during the events pales in comparison.

* Krista Mohr-Milne first experienced MS symptoms at the age of 20 and has been an active volunteer in the fight against MS for more than 10 years, contributing hundreds of hours to Destination Cure. In addition to being a dedicated athlete, she is also a motivational speaker and has presented to doctors-in-training at prestigious institutions such as MIT and Harvard. A native of Portland, Oregon, Krista now resides in Tucson, Arizona as a marketing executive, where she lives with her husband and daughter.

* Doug Epstein from Watchung, New Jersey, traversed solo through Death Valley, California in August 2002 to raise money for MS. Surviving 130- degree temperatures, Doug covered 105 miles in just over four days. Doug and his fiancee now reside in San Francisco.

* David Kelleher grew up all over the world. This former Army Ranger was diagnosed with MS in 1996 as he prepared for deployment to Bosnia. Despite being told at age 28 that he'd never run again, because of deteriorated joints and two major hip surgeries, Kelleher, who just completed his second triathlon to raise awareness of MS, demonstrates individuals with MS can still be active. Today, he is a successful management consultant in Portland, Oregon, where he lives with his son.

* David Councilor hails from West Milford, New Jersey, as does his soon- to-be bride. He was diagnosed with MS in 1997. As a result of the disease, as his body core temperature rises, Dave's hands and arms become increasingly numb, making competition in endurance events even more challenging. In 2000, Dave competed in Ironman Florida as a part of the 9-man team. He completed the race in an amazing 11:26. That remarkable finish was an inspiration to the team and everyone at Destination Cure.

* John Kainer, a native of Fairfax, Virginia, was a U.S. Navy SEAL until the discovery of a cancerous brain tumor. After treatment, he resumed training and in 1999, competed in Ironman Florida in support of Destination Cure. In 2000, he competed again with eight others, raising over $40,000. Now residing in Virginia Beach, John continues to champion the effort to find a cure for MS.

For more information on how to submit Timex Top Performers nominations for you or someone else, please log on to Timex.com/TopPerformer

About Timex

With hundreds of styles among its Fashion, Sports, Outdoor and Youth lines, Timex has the right watch for everybody and every lifestyle. Timex, the largest selling watch brand in America, is headquartered in Middlebury, Connecticut. For local store information, consumers can call (800) FOR-TIMEX or visit our web site at http://www.timex.com.

About Destination Cure

Destination Cure -- The Race Against MS(TM) was founded in 1998 by John Guandolo in the spirit of his mother, Evelyn, who suffered from Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and in the honor of others affected by the disease. Operating under the principles Evelyn lived by, Destination Cure encourages people 'to live and not simply exist,' and to make a difference in their lives by making a difference in the lives of others. Destination Cure, a 501 © (3) nonprofit, uniquely donates 100% of its contributions to support research for MS, a debilitating neurological disease that affects twice as many women as men, more than a million individuals in the U.S., and more than 2.5 million people worldwide. For more information please visit http://www.destinationcure.com.

Source: Timex.