Tyson Foods announced Thursday that it is challenging top athletes to break a world record by offering $25,000 for accomplishing such a feat at the 2005 Tyson Invitational, one of the most successful indoor track and field meets in the country. The event is scheduled to take place at the Randal Tyson Track Center on February 10th in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The third event of the 2005 Visa Championship Series, the Tyson Invitational will be televised February 12 on ESPN2 from, 11:30 p.m.- 1:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

"We hope to see a new world record set in our backyard," said Bob Corscadden, Tyson's senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "We are offering a $25,000 prize pool to power these athletes in their goal of reaching new and exciting heights."

As the world's largest provider of chicken, beef and pork, Tyson Foods is proud to sponsor an event where the athletes' performance is supported by protein's long lasting energy. Nothing delivers the strength and endurance as effectively as protein.

This year, all eyes will be on the 300-meter race as top competitors Wallace Spearmon, Kerron Clement, LaShawn Merritt and Omar Brown (Jamaica) look to smash the world record of 32.19 set by Robson da Silva (Brazil) in 1989. With the best of the best competing on one of the fastest tracks in the world, experts say this could be the year for world- record breakers. The Randal Tyson Track Center is considered to be one of the finest indoor track and field facilities in the world. The track is a 200-meter banked oval with a 60-meter straightaway.

"Now that Tyson has added this $25,000 incentive, I am more determined than ever to try and break the world record," said Wallace Spearmon, one of the favorites to win the 300-meter race. "With such a strong field in this event the winner will have to show he has a combination of power and endurance. The winner of this race will no doubt also be the new world record holder."

For more information on the Tyson Invitational and the Visa Championship Series, visit www.usatf.org.