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John Hancock Financial Announces 2008 Boston Marathon Professional Field
Five past race champions, course record holders, 2007 runner-ups head field of 31 Athletes for 112th edition

BOSTON - (March 12, 2008) - In its 23rd year as principal sponsor of the historic Boston Marathon, John Hancock Financial has announced its elite team of 31 marathon runners from eight countries set for the 112th running of the race on Monday, April 21.

Headlining the field are defending champions Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot of Kenya and Lidiya Grigoryeva of Russia, and back to challenge Cheruiyot and Grigoryeva are past race champions Rita Jeptoo, Timothy Cherigat and Margaret Okayo. Cheruiyot and Okayo are the current course record holders, 2:07:14 and 2:20:43, respectively.

Also set to challenge the defending champion's are last year's second place finishers Jelena Prokopcuka and James Kwambai.

The Men's Field
Cheruiyot, the champion in 2003, 2006 and 2007, seeks to become the first Kenyan man to claim four Boston Marathon crowns. Cheruiyot also won Chicago in 2006, Milan in 2002 and was named the inaugural World Marathon Majors Series champion.

Kwambai, a past marathon winner in Brescia and Beijing, shadowed Cheruiyot until mile 25 last year before the champion surged for the win. Cherigat, who won a tactical race in 2004, has five starts in Boston and the experience to secure another title.

Chasing the trio is a talented pack led by Patrick Ivuti of Kenya, the 2007 Chicago champion; Stephen Kiogora of Kenya, last year's third place finisher; Gashaw Asfaw of Ethiopia, the 2006 Paris winner and Abderrahime Bouramdane of Morocco, the 2007 runner up in Seoul and Ottawa. Added to the mix are Christopher Cheboiboch, the 2007 Las Vegas winner; William Kiplagat, the 2007 Lake Biwa runner-up and 2:07 marathoner Shadrack Kiplagat. All three runners are from Kenya.

Young talent set for this world class race includes 21-year-old Yirefu Birhanu of Ethiopia, the 2006 Baltimore winner and 23-year-old James Mwangi Macharia of Kenya, who finished second in Vienna in 2007 in his marathon debut.

Also expected to make an impact are Abdelhadi El Mouaziz of Morocco, who won his debut last year in San Sebastian; James Koskei of Kenya, the 2007 Dallas winner, and four-time European Cross Country champion Paulo Guerra of Portugal. Rounding out the men's field are Khalid El Boumlili of Morocco and Tariku Aboset, Kasim Adillo, Tesfaye Girma and Dejene Yirdaw, all of Ethiopia.

The Women's Field
On the women's side, with three race champions in the field, a two-time runner-up, and a new generation of international talent, John Hancock's elite team is a strong mix of experienced runners and rising stars.

Russian Lidiya Grigoryeva has the edge coming into the race as the defending champion. As a two-time Olympian at 10,000 meters she has the closing speed to win if the lead pack stays tight. She also set a course record at the 2006 Los Angeles Marathon and was champion at the 2005 Paris Marathon.

Challenging Grigoryeva is 2006 Boston champion Rita Jeptoo and 2002 champion Margaret Okayo, both of Kenya. Jeptoo returns to improve upon her fourth place finish in last year's Nor'easter. Okayo holds the course record and the fastest time in the field at 2:20:43. Okayo is a two-time New York City and Rock 'n' Roll winner and past champion in London and Milan.

Two-time runner-up Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia, also has much to prove at this year's race. Although she bested both Grigoryeva and Jeptoo during her two New York City wins, she finished behind Grigoryeva last year in Boston and in 2006 finished second to Jeptoo.

Challenging the leaders are talented newcomers Askale Tafa Magarsa and Dire Tune, both of Ethiopia. Magarsa is the 2007 Paris, 2007 Dubai and 2006 Milan champion, and Tune won in Hong Kong in 2006 and set course records in Houston in 2007 and 2008.

Close on their heels and debuting on the Boston course are Ukrainian national record holder Tetyana Kuzina-Hladyr and 2007 Amsterdam winner Magdaline Chemjor of Kenya.

Additional competition will come from returnees Alevtina Biktimirova of Russia, the winner of the 2007 Honolulu Marathon; Italian Olympian Bruna Genovese, a past winner of the Tokyo Women's Marathon, and 21-year-old Robe Tola Guta of Ethiopia, the 2006 Hamburg Marathon champion.

The blend of athletes with experience on the course and those new to the challenges of the hilly Hopkinton to Boston route should lead to a highly competitive men's and women's race.

For more race information, visit: BostonMarathon.org

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Ben Brown Wins Second Straight Catalina Marathon and American Trail Championship
Julie Allen women's winner and Amy Micheletti ATC champion
From Megan Rowe

AVALON, Calif. - (March 15, 2008) - Ben Brown won his second consecutive Catalina Marathon in dominating fashion. In a time of 2 hours, 48 minutes, 25 seconds, Brown crossed the finish line with the fastest Catalina Marathon time since 1994. The 26-year-old La Mirada, Calif. resident attributed his extraordinary 9 minute course personal record to knowledge of the course, cool temperatures, and a generous tail wind. In the women's race, Julie Allen won in 3:31:14, an exceptional showing on this course in her marathon debut.

Brown was also crowned the American Trail Champion once again. The Buffalo Run Half Marathon (February 9th) and Catalina Marathon are joined to form the American Trail Championship (ATC). Awards are based on the combined time in both events. Brown completed the Buffalo Run in a time of 1:24:19 for a combined Championship time of 4:12:44. The women's ATC winner was Amy Micheletti who completed the marathon in 3:56:35 and the half-marathon in 1:59:04 for a combined time of 5:55:39.

Named by Runner's World magazine as the top off-road marathon, runners from all corners of the world and the nation traveled to Catalina Island last weekend for the 31st Catalina Marathon. Runners from as far away as China and Germany toed the line for this annual event. The weekend also included a 10K, 5K and Kids' Run. The Catalina Marathon is filled with long standing runners' traditions that bring back veteran runners year after year, and attracts new trail runners looking to experience the sport of running from a completely different vantage point.

With over 23-miles of the 26.2 marathon course traversing through the island's breathtaking and hilly interior, this race is like no other marathon in the world.

31st Catalina Marathon: American Trail Championship Finale
Avalon, CA, Saturday, March 15, 2008

MEN
1) Ben Brown (CA), 2:48:25
2) Joshua Loren (DE), 2:57:57
3) Christopher Michael (CA), 3:01:26

WOMEN
1) Julie Allen (CA), 3:31:14
2) Amelia Valinsky (CA), 3:33:40
3) Sydney Leonard (CA), 3:38:40

American Trail Championship
MEN
1) Ben Brown (CA), 4:12:44
2) Mike Whitcombe (CA), 4:57:03
3) Jimmy Wills (CA), 5:09:18

WOMEN
1) Amy Micheletti (CA), 5:55:39
2) Erin Beresini (CA), 6:08:15
3) Kristin Deatherage (CA), 6:17:34

Complete race results at: PacificSportsllc.com

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The "Greening O' the Pig" Makes Flying Pig Marathon Environmentally Friendly

CINCINNATI - (March 17, 2008) - On this St. Patrick's Day, the 10th Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon joins the "wearing of the green" with a number of green initiatives to make Marathon weekend, May 2-4, environmentally friendly and responsible.

"In this time of environmental awareness, it's only natural that the Flying Pig Marathon would join the 'green' movement," said Iris Simpson-Bush, executive director. "While the Marathon always has been concerned about the environment, this year we have a number of partners who will help us make this year's event even more environmentally responsible."

For example, the Flying Pig Marathon joins the Cincinnati Park Board to cover the event's "carbon footprint" by planting trees that will use the carbon dioxide created by the event. The "Pig" is the first marathon in the country to have such an initiative.

In addition:
* Duke Energy is helping to educate the public and heighten awareness of on environmentally friendly measures.
* Natorp's Garden Store is helping to underwrite the cost of trees to be planted in collaboration with the Park Board.
* The Pig will be recycling approximately 28,000 plastic bottles that will be recycled to produce fleece jackets which are then distributed to inner city school.
* Rumpke cardboard trash containers will be recycled at Finish Line and throughout - approximately 2 tons.
* Toyota is supplying Hybrid pace cars.
* First Student Bus Company, which has strong environmental standards, hybrid buses and emission control policies, will be donating buses for transportation.
* Keep Cincinnati Beautiful is providing recycling bins for along the course, at the Finish Line and at the Victory Party.
* The Pig will assist 5K sponsor Fleet Feet Sports to find volunteers who will pick up trash and beautify the 5K course the week before the event.
* Tide is sponsoring the pick up of discarded clothing (as race participants shed layers), will have them laundered. The clothing then will be donated to local charities.
* All race awards will be manufactured from recycled materials.
* Attendees of the Expo and race participants will be able to donate money towards the planting of the trees.

For information and interviews with the Marathon and its environmental partners, please contact Jackie Reau / Betsy Ross at (513) 929-4263.

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Contact: John Raveling, (303) 932-6000, raveling45@aol.com

Call for Nominations for the Colorado Running Hall of Fame
Induction ceremony Wednesday, May 14, 2008

DENVER - (March 19, 2008) - The Colorado Running Hall of Fame (CRHF) Selection Committee is accepting nominations for 2008 inductees into the Colorado Running Hall of Fame starting today until April 16, 2008.

Colorado has one of the highest concentrations of world and U.S. record holders and Olympic and world championship medal winners. The Colfax Marathon Partnership, Inc. Board of Directors established the CRHF in 2007 to recognize Colorado residents who have achieved national and international recognition on the long-distance running stage.

The inaugural CRHF class was inducted in May 2007 and included former CU distance runner Ted Casteneda; four-time Olympian Colleen De Reuck; four-time Olympian Lorraine Moller; Pat Porter, winner of eight consecutive U.S. cross-country titles; Frank Shorter, Gold medalist at the 1972 Olympic Marathon and silver medalist in 1976; former Colorado State runner Jon Sinclair, who dominated American road racing in the 1980s and Adams State and Olympic coach Joe Vigil, who developed 14 national championships and 425 All Americans.

The CRHF Selection Committee is asking Colorado running enthusiasts to offer their recommendation of some of Colorado's finest long-distance runners. Please go to ColoradoColfaxMarathon.org or ColoradoRunningHallofFame.org to complete a nomination form.

The second annual induction ceremony and reception will be held on Wednesday evening, May 14, 2008 at the Denver Athletic Club, our 2008 presenting sponsor.

Selection Guidelines
Nominees must:
* Be a resident of Colorado for not less than 10 years
* Have participated in no fewer than five national / international competitions
* Be ranked nationally / internationally by an appropriate governing body for at least two years
* Have won no less than five events
* Be a recipient of national / international medal distinction
* Represent the sport appropriately and respectfully
* Be considered a positive example for youth development
* Contribute to the growth and development of the sport
* Support and promote the Hall of Fame

Additional nominees from other running-related professions (e.g. coaches, store owners, reporters / journalists, race directors, etc.) will be considered.

Selection Committee:
The Colfax Marathon Partnership, Inc. Board of Directors carefully selected the following individuals for the Hall of Fame Selection Committee. The group is composed of significant people from the running community with diverse professional histories who meet the selection criteria for the Hall of Fame.

Mark Plaatjes (South African born)
Owner of physical therapy clinic in Boulder, Colorado
Co-founder of Boulder Running Company
First American to win a gold medal in a long-distance event at 1993 World Championships

David Nestor
Active masters marathoner
Member of Colfax Marathon, Inc. Board of Directors
Retired retail owner of Foothills Lighting
Owner of LightShine-designer lighting studio
Community Activist

Ellen Hart-Peña
Former outstanding U.S. female distance runner
One of Colorado's finest female long-distance runners
Supporter of Colorado Colfax Marathon since inception
Showcased on the cover of Runner's World
Former first lady of Denver

John Raveling
Successful long-distance runner
Leader in Denver running community for over 21 years
Owner of Boulder Running Company in Littleton, Colorado

John Tope
Colfax Marathon Runner Relations Director
National elite athlete coordinator for over 26 years
Has served Boston, LA, New York, Cleveland and many other marathons

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232
Ryan@RunningUSA.org | www.RunningUSA.org