SEVEN-YEAR-OLD, JOSHUA BOOTHE, AMERICAN FORK, UTAH WINS 34th ANNUAL NATIONAL ODOR-EATERS ROTTEN SNEAKER CONTEST^SM

MONTPELIER, VT (March 24, 2009) /PRNewswire/ — Even the panel of "odor specialists" resisted the urge to cover their noses as pungent smells emanated from the most offensive sneakers in this year's Annual National Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest^SM. Ready to be judged, seven kids, ages seven to fifteen, from across the country have arrived in Montpelier today, selected as national finalists, wearing the decrepit and odorous rubber-soles that won them regional recognition.

In its 34th year, the National Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest is the ultimate test of just how offensive sneakers can get when they're not taken care of properly. Sneakers are judged on the conditions of the sole, tongue, heel, toe, laces or velcro, eyelets/grommets, overall condition and most important ODOR, by a panel that includes NASA "Master Sniffer" George Aldrich, Chemical Specialist for NASA space missions, and Rachel Herz, Ph.D, author of The Scent of Desire, and professor at Brown University.

This year, Joshua Boothe, beat out six other contestants, from – Plymouth, CT; Fenton, MI; Chugiak,AK; Peoria, IL; Barre, VT; AND El Paso, TX – to take home the grand prize of a $2,500.00. Joshua said he's putting the money in the bank and saving it for college.

Joshua Boothe also received the Golden Sneaker Award trophy, an all expense paid trip to New York City to see the Broadway Show The Lion King, and a supply of Odor-Eaters® products to kick out the odor from his/her sneakers. Although the maker of Odor-Eaters products sponsors the contest, it's clear that the contestants keep the product far from their willfully worn and torn warriors submitted for judging.

Joshua Boothe's sneakers will also be enshrined in the Odor-Eaters "Hall of Fumes" in Montpelier, VT.

For more information about the Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest or Odor-Eaters products, visit www.odor-eaters.com.