Missouri Woman's Inspirational Story Earns Grand Prize in BP Fuels' Nationwide Contest

WARRENVILLE, IL--(Marketwire - December 10, 2009) - BP Products North America, Inc. announced today the winner of the BP Younger for Longer Challenge, awarding 30-year-old Rachel Malone of Springfield, Mo., $10,000 in BP gasoline for sharing her inspirational story of how she overcame all odds with her love for running. After battling a brain tumor in her 20s, Malone was told she would never walk again. Now, years later, she is not only walking, but competing in marathons across the Midwest.

The BP Younger for Longer Challenge asked Americans to share their stories of how they maintain their health and vitality to run younger for longer. Malone entered the BP Younger for Longer Challenge at the 2009 Waddell and Reed Kansas City Marathon where BP was a sponsor and she was a participant. It was Malone's third marathon, only six years after she had survived life-threatening brain surgery. Even though Malone's doctors told her that she might never walk again, her perseverance and drive to live a healthy lifestyle has resulted in her not only walking but competing in multiple marathons. You can view Malone's story in her own words at bpinvigorate.com.

"I strive to run younger for longer by training for marathons. Being able to run is a reminder of how far I've come in my recovery, and that is something I don't ever want to forget," Malone said. "After surviving a brain tumor and learning to walk again, I never would have imagined running a marathon. I am now training for my fourth marathon, and who knows how many more?"

As grand prize winner in the contest, Malone will also meet five-time Olympic swimmer Dara Torres as part of her reward. At 42, Torres proved how she runs younger for longer by taking home three silver medals on the world stage of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Malone will spend a day in December with Torres at her Ft. Lauderdale training facility, where they will have the opportunity to share their stories and swap tips on how they each run younger for longer.

"I really connected with Rachel's story and how she is motivated to run younger for longer and accomplish something very meaningful in her life," Torres said. "We both want to show the world that age is just a number. And, through the BP Younger for Longer Challenge, Rachel and many other Americans had the opportunity to share their inspirational stories of what drives them to embrace a 'younger for longer' spirit."

Nineteen, first place winners in the BP Younger for Longer Challenge were awarded with BP gas for a year, valued at more than $2,000. Among the contest's runner-up stories: a 72-year-old Holocaust survivor and Senior Olympic medalist; "Granny Annie," a 66-year-old who just completed a marathon on each of the 50-states; a Vietnam veteran who overcame a war injury and now runs 50-mile road races; and a 53-year-old woman who has a simple solution to battling a painful disease through clever music. For a complete list of winners and their video entries, visit bpinvigorate.com.

"I think, today more than ever, people place a high importance on running younger for longer, and that relates to how they treat their mind and body as well as their vehicle," said Linda Bartman, BP Fuels Marketing Communications Director. "BP is excited to award Rachel as the winner of the BP Younger for Longer Challenge. She truly embodies the younger for longer promise that's the driving force behind our campaign for BP gasoline with Invigorate."

The BP Younger for Longer Challenge supports BP's continued rollout of BP gasoline with Invigorate, an improved fuel that with continuous use can clean vital engine parts and help vehicles run younger for longer. BP gasoline with Invigorate is available in more than 50 United States markets. When used in a vehicle with a dirty engine, BP gasoline with Invigorate can contribute to improvements in drivability such as less hesitation, smoother acceleration, reduced exhaust emissions and improved fuel economy.

To view the finalist videos for the BP Younger for Longer Challenge, or to learn more about BP gasoline with Invigorate visit bpinvigorate.com.

About BP

BP markets more than 15 billion gallons of gasoline every year to U.S. consumers through more than 11,000 BP and ARCO branded retail outlets and supplies more than four billion gallons of fuel annually to fleets, industrial users, auto and truck manufacturers, railroads and utilities.

BP is the single, global brand formed by the combination of the former British Petroleum, Amoco Corporation, Atlantic Richfield (ARCO) and Burmah Castrol. BP is a global producer, manufacturer and marketer of oil, gas, chemicals and renewable energy solutions.

Contact Information: Media Contacts: BP Products North America: Scott Dean 630/821-3212 Scott.Dean@bp.com GolinHarris: Daniel Karen 312/729-4281 Dkaren@golinharris.com