Champion Athletic Apparel Announces Winner of What's Your Everest? Contest

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Champion Athletic Apparel announced today that Aleya Littleton of Kensington, Md., is the winner of its What's Your Everest? contest, an online challenge that encouraged entrants to declare their personal goals for the chance to receive $10,000 toward fulfillment of their aspirations. Littleton's video entry was chosen among hundreds of video and essay submissions.

Littleton, a science instructor with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, highlighted her struggle to overcome her fear of heights during a mountaineering expedition in Moab, Utah. She plans to use her prize to participate in a Summit for Someone trip. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Big City Mountaineers, a non-profit organization working to allow kids from urban areas to take part in outdoor activities.

"The concept of 'What's Your Everest?' is really amazing," said Littleton. "The contest not only helped me in my ongoing quest to overcome my fear of heights, but it provided me with the means to help kids discover the outdoors as I have."

Littleton's entry can be viewed online at Champion Athletic Apparel's Expedition Champion Web site (http://climbeverestwithus.com/WhatsYourEverestWinner.aspx).

"We were inspired by people who participated in this program and built this online community where they shared their personal and professional goals and encouraged each other," said Claire Powell, Champion brand marketing director. "Aleya's moving video shows how she is determined to conquer her fear through her desire to encourage kids to reach their 'Everests.' By working to achieve her goal, Aleya truly embodies the hopeful message of What's Your Everest? and represents the symbolism of reaching the highest summit in the world."

The What's Your Everest? Campaign is part of Expedition Champion, a partnership with international mountaineer Jamie Clarke in a bid to summit Mount Everest this spring. The Champion and Duofold apparel brands, along with parent company Hanesbrands, are leading the expedition.  The expedition team will showcase the company's research and development innovation by wearing Champion's activewear, Duofold's base layer products and the recently-unveiled Champion Supersuit, an ultrathin high-tech summit suit that will protect Clarke and the expedition team even in the severe elements at Everest's highest elevations.

Champion launched its ClimbEverestWithUs.com website in September 2009 to track the expedition and host the What's Your Everest? online social community. Written or video entries for the contest submitted online by Dec. 31, 2009, were eligible to win the grand prize. All submissions were reviewed by a panel of Champion representatives and judged on authenticity, clear plan for goal achievement, creativity, and positive outlook mirrored by the brand.  

The contest is over, but the interactive Champion What's Your Everest? social community is still active. Visitors may view submitted essays and videos, offer encouragement and guidance and still submit new aspirational videos and essays.

The Web site also features weekly inspirational videos from Clarke called "Steps to the Summit" and a "What's Your Everest?" video filmed by students at the North Carolina School for the Arts. ClimbEverestWithUs.com also includes Expedition Champion updates, photos, gear information and Champion apparel information.

About Champion

Champion offers a full line of innovative athletic apparel for men and women including sport bras, activewear, team uniforms, sweats and accessories.  Champion can be purchased at most sporting goods and department stores.  For more information about Champion for men and women, visit www.championusa.com.

About Duofold

Introduced in 1906, Duofold is a leader in base layer apparel for men, women and children.  As an outfitter of the National Ski Patrol, Professional Ski Instructors of America and American Association of Snowboard Instructors, Duofold is the expert in helping winter athletes and outdoor enthusiasts perform at their best even under the most challenging weather conditions.  Duofold is best known for its popular Varitherm and Originals cold-weather products.  For more information visit www.duofold.com.

About Hanesbrands

Hanesbrands Inc. is a leading marketer of everyday apparel essentials under some of the world's strongest apparel brands, including Hanes, Champion, Playtex, Bali, JMS/Just My Size, barely there and Wonderbra.  The company sells T-shirts, bras, panties, men's underwear, children's underwear, socks, hosiery, casualwear and activewear produced in the company's low-cost global supply chain.  Hanesbrands has approximately 45,000 employees in more than 25 countries.  More information about the company may be found on the Hanesbrands Internet Web site at www.hanesbrands.com.

SOURCE Champion