American Airlines and Junior Achievement Announce a Nationwide Search for the JA All-American Team for the Silicon Laboratories Marathon Relay; American Airlines to Fly Five Runners to Austin for the July 4th Race

Business Wire, April 24, 2006

AUSTIN, Texas -- For the second consecutive year, American Airlines and Junior Achievement of Central Texas (JA) are looking for a few good runners to support a great cause. JA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching young people about business, economics and free enterprise, and American Airlines are joining together to offer runners and JA supporters throughout the U.S. a chance to win one of five spots on the JA All-American Team for the Silicon Laboratories Marathon Relay to be held on July 4, 2006.

American Airlines will fly the five lucky winners from anywhere in the U.S. to Austin to participate in the Silicon Laboratories 26.2 mile relay benefiting JA, with two nights hotel accommodations provided by the Austin Hyatt Hotel on Town Lake. The JA All-American Team will be selected by a panel of judges based on runners' 50-word submissions on why they should be a part of this elite squad.

Last year's winners hailed from as far away as New York City. In fact, one winner, an Austin native serving in the U.S. Military, was able to make an important visit home as a result of the contest.

The second annual Silicon Laboratories Marathon Relay is hosted in partnership with JA, RunTex and the RunTex Foundation. With more than 330 teams and 1,650 runners participating in 2005, the Silicon Laboratories Marathon Relay is ranked the 6th largest relay in the country. Divided into two 5Ks, two 10Ks and one 12K, the relay is ideal for beginner, intermediate and advanced runners.

"Austin is a unique city with a lot to offer, so we are thrilled to work with JA to promote this fun, charitable event," said Shae Butler, American Airlines Austin sales and development manager.

As part of the proposed course, runners will travel through scenic downtown and have the opportunity to take in magnificent views of Town Lake. The Silicon Laboratories Marathon Relay is also slated to be run along Congress Avenue and through the Texas State Capitol grounds.

"By working with American Airlines to build the ultimate JA All-American Team, we are able to offer the opportunity to not only participate in one of the nations best Relays, but also to experience Austin," said Dave Swincher, president of Junior Achievement of Central Texas. "The geographical diversity of last year's respondents is a clear testament to the fact Austin has become a premier travel destination."

To enter the contest, runners should submit their nominations at www.marathonrelay.com by June 2, 2006. Only one entry is allowed per person and all entrants must be 18 years of age or older as of June 2, 2006. The winners will be announced on June 16, 2006.

All proceeds from the Silicon Laboratories Marathon Relay will go directly into classrooms to enrich and sustain JA programs that educate today's youth on business and economics. The Silicon Laboratories Marathon Relay is sponsored by Silicon Laboratories, a leading designer of mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs), and RunTex and the RunTex Foundation, the leaders in race event planning. To register or to find out additional details about this event, please visit http://www.marathonrelay.com.

About Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to educating young people about business, economics and free enterprise. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement offers in-school and after-school programs for students in grades K-12. JA programs focus on seven key content areas: business, citizenship, economics, entrepreneurship, ethics/character, financial literacy and career development. For more information, visit www.ja.org.

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