From press release.

BOSTON,Mass.---(August 20, 2002)---New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. announced today that it will once again team up with legendary singer/songwriter Willie Nelson to sponsor the Second Annual Willie Nelson 10K road race to benefit Farm Aid. The race, which will feature American elite runners Rod DeHaven and Mark Coogan (photo), will take place in Austin, Texas on Sunday, August 25, 2002.

"It's a pleasure to host a road race and concert where runners can support family farmers," says Willie Nelson, Farm Aid founder. "I invite everyone to come to Austin and enjoy a day of running and music in support of Farm Aid."

The 10K road race and a 1K Mosey will start at 8:00 a.m at Austin's Auditorium Shores. The event will also feature a concert by Willie Nelson at Auditorium Shores at 6:00 p.m. The gates to the concert will open at 12:00 p.m. and live musical entertainment, kids activities and a farmer's market will start at 1:00 p.m.

"We are thrilled to be back in Austin supporting Willie Nelson and this road race," says Lisa Murray, marketing promotions associate at New Balance. "It is a unique opportunity for New Balance to contribute to a great cause and continue our long tradition of supporting grass-roots running and top-notch road races across the country"

The Willie Nelson 10K for Farm Aid presented by New Balance is a RunTex production. The inaugural event in 2001 featured more than 6,000 participants and raised more than $100,00 for Farm Aid.

For more information or to register and purchase tickets online, visit www.willies10k.com.

Since 1985, Farm Aid has distributed more than $15 million dollars to farm and rural organizations that are making a difference for family farmers. Founded by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp, Farm Aid mobilizes farmers and family farm activists to establish effective projects that save family farms. The mission of Farm Aid is to rally national support for America's farmers. For more information, visit www.farmaid.org.

New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc., headquartered in Boston, MA, is a leading manufacturer of technologically innovative width-sized footwear and athletic apparel for women, men, and children. The range of product categories includes running, walking, cross training, basketball, tennis, adventure sports, and kids. Work and hiking boots, sandals, boat shoes, and rugged casuals are also available through the company's Dunham Bootmakers division. Dunham joined the New Balance family in Fall 1998. New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. employs more than 2,400 people around the globe, and in 2001 reported worldwide sales of $1.16 billion. For more information please visit www.newbalance.com.