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Contact: Joshua Milne, Sports Marketing PR Specialist
John Hancock Financial Services, (617) 572-3816

John Hancock Announces Return of Boston Marathon Runners-Up to 2005 Elite Field
Rematch Against Defending Champions

BOSTON - (March 15, 2005) - John Hancock Financial Services has announced that 2004 runners-up Elfenesh Alemu of Ethiopia and Robert Cheboror of Kenya will return to the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 18, in an effort to dethrone defending champions Catherine Ndereba and Timothy Cherigat.

Last year. Alemu finished a slight 16 seconds back from Ndereba's 2:24:27 win, tying the closest one-two women's finish in Boston history. Following Boston, the rivalry continued at the Athens Olympic Marathon where Ndereba won the silver medal and Alemu finished fourth. This year, the rematch is significant because Ndereba will seek to establish Boston Marathon history as the first woman to win the race four times.

Alemu, a two-time Olympian and three-time World Championship finisher, has run nearly 30 marathons with seven under 2:25 since 2000. Track & Field News ranked Alemu fourth in the world last year for her Boston performance, her third place at the Tokyo Marathon and her fourth at the Olympics. Ndereba was ranked number two in the world. In February, proving she is ready for the Boston course, Alemu won the challenging and competitive 43rd San Blas Half Marathon and set a course record along the way. This will be Alemu's third Boston appearance and she is eager to win. In 2002, she finished third behind Margaret Okayo and Ndereba.

On the men's side, Robert Cheboror returns to Boston as the second fastest man in the world last year. Coming off a 2:06:23 win at the 2004 Amsterdam Marathon, Cheboror is poised to challenge the defending champion Timothy Cherigat. Last year at Boston in a prophetic statement before only his second marathon, Cheboror said, "Boston is a tough course, but maybe I am strong and can do something." He held on to Cherigat until the eventual champion surged off the Newton hills to secure the win.

Marathoner William Kiplagat discovered Cheboror after he finished third at the 2001 Kenyan 25K while wearing tennis shoes. Cheboror has leaped to the top of the running world quickly and confidently. His expectations for Boston are "that the field will be challenging as there are always strong athletes there, but I hope I can improve my performance and be the winner in 2005." In preparation for this year's race, he won the Egmond Half Marathon in the Netherlands in January.

John Hancock is celebrating the 20th year of its landmark sponsorship of the Boston Athletic Association's premier event. John Hancock will announce the international elite field the last week in March.

Find the latest news and information about the Boston Marathon at www.marathon.jhancock.com/marathon or www.baa.org

About John Hancock and Manulife Financial
John Hancock is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and most of Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$348 billion (US$289 billion) as at December 31, 2004. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '0945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including whole life, term life, variable life, and universal life insurance, as well as college savings products, fixed and variable annuities, long-term care insurance, mutual funds and various forms of business insurance.

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Contacts:
Tamara Hills, Brooks Sports, Inc., (425) 489-2444; tamara.hills@brooksrunning.com
Megan Ryan, Twin Cities Marathon, (763) 287-3888, x13; megan@twincitiesmarathon.org

Brooks Sports® Adds Premier Marathon to Race Roster
Partners with Twin Cities Marathon in Licensing Agreement

BOTHELL, Wash. - (March 15, 2005) - Brooks Sports, Inc., a leader in high-performance running gear, has announced a new licensing agreement with the Twin Cities Marathon (TCM). The two-year Gold level partnership makes Brooks the official footwear and apparel sponsor of the TCM, the first qualifying marathon for the 2008 Olympic Trials. As part of the partnership, Brooks will manage the production, design and marketing for all TCM licensed and commemorative technical gear in 2005 and 2006.

"The Twin Cities Marathon is one of the country's most respected events based on its superb organization, fantastic environment and a healthy following of runners and spectators who know how to celebrate the run," said Kim Anderson, events marketing manager for Brooks. "We couldn't be more thrilled to support the marathon and its participants as the official footwear and apparel sponsor of the most beautiful urban marathon in America."

Brooks/TCM licensed gear, featuring the marathon logo on Brooks' high-performance running apparel and accessories, as well as commemorative T-shirts and sweatshirts, will be available online prior to the race through www.twincitiesmarathon.org, as well as at the marathon's Health & Fitness Expo during the final days leading up to the event. Licensed gear will become available in July for pre-orders through early September.

"We're continuously looking for new ways to draw attention to the sport of running and motivate someone to take that first step," said Virginia Brophy Achman, executive director of Twin Cities Marathon. "There's no other brand we'd rather see our logo on than Brooks. Brooks brings such inspiration to runners of all levels, and we're confident this partnership will help more people become as passionate about the Twin Cities Marathon as we are."

The 24th Twin Cities Marathon, also known as the "The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America™," will take place on Sunday, Oct. 2, and runs through the scenic neighborhoods of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The 2005 TCM registration will open on April 29, 2005, and is expected to fill within three weeks. Official TCM weekend events take place Sept. 30 through Oct. 2.

For 2005, the Twin Cities Marathon, a Running USA Founding Member, hosts the USA Men's and Women's Championship and for the 15th consecutive year, the USA Masters Championships.

About Brooks
Brooks Sports, Inc. is a leading running company that designs and markets a line of performance footwear, apparel and accessories in more than 80 countries worldwide. Part of the Russell Corporation (NYSE: RML), Brooks was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in Bothell, Wash., near Seattle. The company's mission is to inspire people to run and be active by creating innovative gear that keeps them running longer, farther and faster. Visit www.brooksrunning.com for more information.

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Contact: Danny Elfenbein, PR Racing, Inc., (305) 278-8668

2006 Miami Marathon Kicks Off Registration with Generous Early Bird Discount

MIAMI - (March 14, 2005) - Beginning Friday, March 18 at Midnight (EST), runners from around the world will be able to register for South Florida's premier running event at a huge discount. The Miami Marathon and Half Marathon will kick off registration for the January 29, 2006 race by offering the lowest-priced marathon and half-marathon registration fees in the country.

For the first time ever, runners will be able to take part in a Miami Marathon Registration blitz, a 3-day event that begins on Friday and ends at 11:59pm (EST) on Sunday, March 19. Marathon prices will be discounted down to $40 (regular price $60-$90) and the half-marathon will be $25 (regularly $35-$65) Registration will only be available online at www.runmiami.com.

"We feel that this is a great way to reach out to first time runners and those who can't afford the high cost of running marathons," said Robert Pozo, Race Director for the marathon. "Running a marathon or half-marathon is a commitment of time, money and energy, and this gives our runners extra time to prepare, a chance to save money and extra energy to get on their feet and Run Miami!"

The weekend blitz will provide runners with the lowest fees for any race in Florida and the most competitive prices across the country.

Miami Marathon Weekend will take place on January 27-29, 2006, with a full schedule of events for beginning and expert runners as well as kids and the rest of the family. The 4th annual marathon and half-marathon events will draw over 10,000 runners and walkers while the Tropical 5K benefiting Community Partnership for Homeless will have over 2,000 runners in its second year, quickly becoming one of Florida's biggest and most exciting 5K races. Additionally, over 25,000 people will attend the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Health and Fitness Expo among other events taking place during Marathon Weekend.

The 4th annual race is expected to draw over 10,000 runners to Miami. The event is estimated to create a $14 million impact on the surrounding community and in less than one year has raised almost $150,000 to support the Community Partnership for Homeless. For more information on the Miami Marathon and Half Marathon log-on to www.runmiami.com or call (305) 278-8668.

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A Class Act: 2005 Blue Cross of California SPIRIT RUN Draws Top Running Talents
and Miler Legend Steve Scott in Support of Local Elementary Schools

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - (March 13, 2005) - Joined by American running legend Steve Scott, more than 5,000 runners of all ages ran like it was recess at the 22nd Blue Cross of California SPIRIT RUN, Orange County's most celebrated 5K, 10K and kids road races to benefit area elementary schools.

Under cool, overcast skies, Masters runner standout Danny Reed, 44, of Laguna Niguel captured the ASICS 10K title in 32:47, racing at a 5:16 pace that secured his comfortable lead through the finish.

"I love this course and the challenge of the hills here," said Reed of the palm tree-lined route. "This was only my second race this year, so I surprised myself," he added.

Wayne Chen, 28, of Hermosa Beach claimed the runner-up spot in 33:46, while Fred Cowles, 41, of Orange rounded out the top three in 33:50. Cheryl Smith, 24, of Aliso Viejo dominated the women's 10K field with her 36:59 finish, extending her 30-second lead at the halfway mark to nearly two minutes at the tape. Teresa Sohoni, 38, of Huntington Beach finished second (38:39) and masters runner Diane Duruty, 41, was third (39:29).

American running legend and National Track & Field Hall of Famer Steve Scott joined a field of 2,000 runners and walkers for the competitive 5K race. After running to a 17:47 finish (he paced an athlete from his CSU San Marcos squad), Scott, 48, helped start the thousands of youths participating in the seven kids races.

"I have a long-standing history with the SPIRIT RUN because it is the largest kids race around here and I enjoy being involved in events that fund education programs for kids," said Scott, the three-time Olympian, who has run more sub-four minute miles than anyone in the world (136).

Sergio Reyes, 23, of Lancaster topped the field of the Jamba Juice 5K Bananaman Chase, running at a 4:47 pace to his victorious finish in 14:53. Huntington Beach's Johann Appell, 28, finished six seconds behind Reyes (14:59), while masters runner Oscar Gonzalez, 41, of Costa Mesa claimed third place in 15:12. Los Angeles-based running club See Jane Run dominated the women's 5K field, with members Linn Schulte-Sasse and Mary Colburn, both 27, taking first and second, respectively. Schulte-Sasse, a former Stanford runner, ran shoulder-to-shoulder with Colburn throughout the race, surging to a one second lead over her teammate in the final moments to cross the finish line in 17:06 (5:30 pace).

"I'm grateful for racing opportunities like this," said Schulte-Sasse of her first SPIRIT RUN. "It's great to see so much community support out here, to hear the live music on the course and race with my training partners."

Masters runner Ceci St. Geme of Newport Beach edged out Olympian and professional triathlete Julie Swail of Irvine for the third place spot.

Since its inception 22 years ago, the SPIRIT RUN has raised over one million dollars for Newport Beach elementary schools.

Complete results are available at www.kinaneevents.com

Media Contact: Kathy Kinane, (714) 321-9900

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org

www.runningusa.org