$100,000 Prize Package for ONE Person Who Has Passion and "Kicks-In the Clutch" Personality
CHICAGO - Calling all weekend warriors: If you dream of becoming an Ironman, let Degree help tap your inner drive. Degree has teamed up with the Ironman, one of the world's most recognized and challenging endurance experiences, where passion and commitment are as important as a strong body. Together they are searching for the one person who epitomizes Degree's "Kicks-In In the Clutch" mentality and has the drive to become the Degree Everyman Ironman.

"Every man and woman has an Ironman within," says Bob Babbitt, six-time finisher of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship and author of 25 Years of Ironman. "The Ironman is about performing at your best and pushing through clutch moments - and Degree is helping bring that dream to life."

Degree and Ironman are searching for one person - that everyday, everybody, ordinary person - to become the Degree Everyman Ironman. To be selected, tell us about your dream, your never-say-die attitude and iron will - and you may receive a $100,000 prize, which includes:
1.Six-month multi-sport/triathlon training program in the triathlon capital of the world, La Jolla, Calif. Salary reimbursement during the six-month period of training (maximum $50,000) Training with a professional athlete Lodging and living expenses; transportation

2.For inspiration, a trip to see the best triathletes in the world compete at the 25th Anniversary Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (trip for two)

3.A slot to compete in a real Ironman triathlon, Ironman Florida, Panama City Beach, Fla., Nov. 8, 2003 (trip for two)

Babbitt will help select the Degree Everyman Ironman. Babbitt first finished the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in 1980 and is the co-founder of the Challenged Athletes Foundation, an organization that has raised nearly $4 million since 1993 to help challenged athletes.

"Every Ironman triathlete started out just like the guy next door," says Babbitt. "The Search for the Degree Everyman Ironman contest will help one person who never thought it possible have the opportunity to reach the pinnacle of performance and endurance in becoming an Ironman."

The Search for the Degree Everyman Ironman is part of a yearlong celebration of Degree's relationship with Ironman. As the Degree Everyman Ironman, the winner also will become part of the Degree Ironman Team, which will participate in triathlons and other multi-sport events coast-to-coast and serve to encourage amateur triathletes to embrace the passion for competition.

The Ironman competition consists of a 2.4-mile ocean swim, a 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile marathon, in succession. According to Babbitt, the average Ironman triathlete trains 18 to 24 hours each week for six to 12 months, depending on the training program. A typical training week includes seven miles of swimming, 225 miles of biking and 48 miles of running. Many competitors also cross-train with weight training, stretching and yoga.

Joining the Search
To enter the Search for the Degree Everyman Ironman contest, entrants are asked to submit a 100-word essay that describes their passion to become an Ironman, what is keeping them from fulfilling their dream and why they are now ready to take the ultimate challenge. The search is open to all U.S. residents who are 18-years and older. There is no entry fee or purchase necessary. Applicants may submit a photograph and/or video to further demonstrate their story and all entries must be received by April 30, 2003.

Judging will be based on: demonstration of commitment/passion to the challenge; relevance to the search theme (passion to become the Degree Everyman Ironman); originality and creativity.

Entries may be submitted online at www.DegreeIronman.com or entrants can send a typed or neatly handwritten essay on 8*" x 11" plain paper along with the following information: name, date of birth, complete mailing address, day/evening phone number and e-mail address (if any), to:

Search for the Degree Everyman Ironman Contest
P.O. Box 282
Wilton, CT 06897-0282

For more information, visit www.DegreeIronman.com.