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Olympian and U.S. Trials Champion Ryan Hall Seeks American Win at 2009 Boston Marathon

BOSTON - (November 18, 2008) - In its 24th year as the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon, John Hancock Financial has announced the signing of Olympic marathoner and U.S. half-marathon record holder Ryan Hall for the 113th running of the storied 26.2 mile race on Monday, April 20, 2009.

The fastest U.S. marathoner in 2007 and 2008, Hall, 26, has quickly proven himself as one of the best distance runners in the world. He seeks to become the first American men's winner of the race since Greg Meyer in 1983.

"I am grateful to have the opportunity to compete on the John Hancock elite team at the 2009 Boston Marathon," said Hall. "The Boston Marathon is the granddaddy of the World Marathon Majors, to win here would mean as much to me as winning any marathon in the world, including the Olympic Games. To win in Boston would show the world that American distance running is indeed back to the days of Salazar, Beardsley and Rodgers. I hope that I can contribute to bringing American marathoning back to the forefront. There is no better place to do that than Boston. What is done in Boston lives on for all time."

A 2006 Stanford graduate and 2005 NCAA 5000 meter champion, Hall quickly found his greatest potential on the roads. In late 2006, the Team Running USA athlete set the U.S. 20K record (57:54) at the World Championships and in early 2007 broke the over 21-year-old U.S. half-marathon record at the USA Championships in Houston. His 59:43 win marked the first time an American had ever broken the one-hour barrier on a record standard course.

Turning to the marathon, Hall made his debut on the London course in 2007 and stayed with the African leaders until the final miles. His 2:08:24 was the fastest debut ever by an American. A few months later at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in New York City, he set a Trials record of 2:09:02 as he cruised to a two plus minute victory over one of the best U.S. fields ever assembled.

Continuing his meteoric rise, Hall returned to London in advance of the Olympics and ran a remarkable 2:06:17, making him the second fastest American of all-time. At the Olympics in Beijing, Hall placed 10th, and although he had some disappointment in that showing, he is young and eager to build on his potential.

"Ryan's Boston Marathon debut will be a highly anticipated performance throughout the sports world," said Executive Director Guy Morse, of the Boston Athletic Association, which oversees the race. "As an American Olympian recruited by our principal sponsor John Hancock Financial, his commitment to race in Boston, combined with his record of outstanding performances, are indicators that he will add great excitement to the 113th Boston Marathon as he challenges some of the world's best athletes on the world's most famous course."

Hall is married to professional runner Sara Bei Hall and the couple resides in Mammoth Lakes, Calif. The Halls, who are coached by Terrence Mahon, are active with charitable groups such as Team World Vision. They worked on a campaign this year, "More Precious than Gold," that raised nearly a million dollars to help bring clean water wells and irrigation systems to poor communities in Zambia.

For more information, visit: BostonMarathon.org

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Los Angeles Marathon and Acura LA Bike Tour 2009 to be Held on Memorial Day
Honda renews as presenting sponsor

LOS ANGELES - (November 13, 2008) - The Los Angeles Marathon will be held on Memorial Day beginning in 2009, announced Los Angeles Marathon President Russ Pillar. He also announced the return of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. as the Marathon's presenting sponsor and Acura as the LA Bike Tour's title sponsor.

As a condition of their acquisition of the marathon and related assets just six weeks ago, the new race organizers agreed with the City of Los Angeles to move the marathon to President's Day. But after extensive conversations with runners, travel and tourism experts, City officials and others, it became clear that Memorial Day provided far more opportunity and far fewer obstacles to creating a better experience for all constituencies.

"Our new position on the calendar allows us to honor the City's requirement that we hold the race on a holiday Monday while, at the same time, providing us with a 'gateway to summer' event that we can use to highlight the best that Los Angeles has to offer," said Russ Pillar.

Presenting sponsor American Honda Motor Co., Inc. has extended its relationship with the Los Angeles Marathon and the Acura LA Bike Tour for 2009.

"Honda and the new management of the Los Angeles Marathon share the same optimistic vision for the future of this great event. Honda is excited to once again take part in all of the community activity that is part of both the Marathon and the Acura LA Bike Tour," said Stephan Morikawa, Assistant Vice President for Corporate Community Relations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Runners who already have registered for next year's race will be signed-up for the Monday, May 25, 2009 race date automatically; those who already have paid the entry fee will be reimbursed in full if they are unable to participate.

In addition to announcing the race's date and sponsor, LA Marathon announced the appointment of Nick Curl as Race Director. A long-time veteran of event management in Southern California, Curl had been affiliated with the Marathon for more than a dozen years, including more than a half-dozen as Vice President of Operations.

"I'm excited to be back," said Curl. "We've assembled a great team and we're planning to do great things."

With more than 20,000 participants, 12,000 volunteers, and 1 million spectators along the course route, the Los Angeles Marathon is one of the largest organized road races in the country. To sign-up to run the Marathon, or for more information, visit: LAmarathon.com

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Brooks® Sports Wants Runners to Click 'n' Dream for a Cure
Leading running company introduces video raising funds for breast cancer research

BOTHELL, Wash. - (November 13, 2008) - Leading performance running company Brooks Sports, Inc. has launched Dream, a short animated film that follows the imaginary path one woman takes as she envisions her ideal run. To celebrate the launch of the video, Brooks will donate five cents to breast cancer research for every view of the Dream video through December 21, 2008.

While the Dream video may spread virally on the Internet, qualifying views for charitable donation will be tallied on www.brooksrunning.com/dream and YouTube.com. The total donation, not to exceed $25,000, will be made to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in support of breast cancer research-a cause important to many runners.

"Dream is a quick, fun and memorable Brooks film that embodies and amplifies the Run Happy® spirit, especially for women runners," said Brooks Vice President of Marketing Dave Larson. "Our partnership with the Hutchinson Center also gives people an opportunity, with a simple click, to support a cause that's near and dear to their hearts."

Illustrated by emerging Northwest artist Trish Grantham, the 98-second Dream video is a fantasy of the perfect run, told from the perspective of a female runner, but touching on several universal truths that resonate with a much broader audience. Accompanying music and vocals by Anita Robinson - of bands Viva Voce and Blue Giant, as well as back-up singer to The Shins - bring the story to life with lyrics every runner can appreciate.

"We firmly believe that the more people know about breast cancer, the bigger impact we can make in the fight against the disease," said Kit Herrod, Hutchinson Center director of external relations. "Brooks, with its unique Dream video, presents an entertaining and effortless way to spread the word - and smiles to boot."

Supplementing the launch, Brooks will partner with leading running magazine Runner's World in an effort to raise awareness about Dream and its donation to the Hutchinson Center. A two-page spread will appear in the January 2009 issue of the magazine, and a link to Dream will appear on the homepage at RunnersWorld.com. An additional ad will run in the January 2009 issue of Women's Health. Both of the publications' January issues will hit newsstands early December 2008.

Extending its support of breast cancer research and awareness beyond Dream, Brooks will unveil its Brooks for Her apparel collection in March 2009. The predominantly pink, high-performance collection includes a T, short, hat, tank, jacket, skort and capri, all adorned with the iconic pink ribbon. Brooks will donate 12.5% of the full wholesale price of each Brooks for Her item sold from March 1, 2009, to December 31, 2009, to three breast cancer-related charities. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, and the Young Survival Coalition will each receive a portion of the total donation raised. Visit www.brooksrunning.com/bfh for more information.

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T-Bone, America's Health & Fitness Ambassador, Ganders into the O'side Turkey Trot Youth Run

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - (November 13, 2008) - Tim "T-Bone" Arem, M.Ed. will be warming up, running with and performing his motivational fitness stage show at the O'side Turkey Trot youth run in Oceanside, Calif. on Thursday, November 27, 2008.

"Having T-Bone at our event will bring a high level of fitness awareness to our youth Turkey Trot," said O'side executive director Kathy Kinane.

For more information about the race, visit: OsideTurkeyTrot.com and for T-Bone, go to: TBoneRun.com

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