John Hancock Financial Services Announces 2003 Boston Marathon Elite International Field

<a href=new.stockwatch.com>C O R R E C T I O N 2003-03-24 10:41 ET - News Release

BOSTON, March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- In its 18th year as principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon, John Hancock is proud to announce its elite team of international marathon runners today, including the men's and women's defending champions, Rodgers Rop and Margaret Okayo of Kenya, and the #1 ranked U.S. women's marathoner Marla Runyan of Eugene, Oregon. This year's field of 29 Olympic, world, and nationally ranked runners from 11 nations will compete on April 21, 2003, Patriot's Day.

In the men's field, Rodgers Rop will seek to defend his title against many of the fastest marathoners in the world. An eleven member Kenyan team also includes last year's runner-up Christopher Cheboiboch, world-ranked Vincent Kipsos and Benjamin Kimutai. Italian Olympian Giacomo Leone and two-time Boston runner-up and Ecuadorian Olympian Silvio Guerra will add to the competitiveness of the elite field. These seasoned runners will face tough opposition from additional athletes out of Brazil, Canada, Estonia, Tanzania and Venezuela.

On the women's side, Margaret Okayo of Kenya shattered the Boston Marathon women's record last year, running 2:20:43, and this year she will race for a second laurel wreath. Challenging Okayo are 2000 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist Joyce Chepchumba of Kenya and Russian national record holder Svetlana Zakharova. Focusing on the trio will be eight world-ranked marathoners, including the #1 ranked U.S. women's marathoner Marla Runyan and half-marathon world record holder and two-time Boston runner-up Elana Meyer of South Africa. The elite field will face tough competition from two additional American marathoners, 2002 U.S. National Champion Jill Gaitenby and Milena Glusac.

These athletes are part of the John Hancock Running and Fitness Clinic staff. Since the program's inception in 1986, athletes have visited more than 80,000 school children across the country to promote the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle.

Speaking on behalf of the clinic athletes, four-time Boston champion Bill Rodgers said, "We're proud to be part of the John Hancock Running and Fitness Clinic team teaching children about health and fitness. The international competition and the depth of the field point to the encompassing reach of the world's oldest annually held marathon and the enthusiastic support of Boston fans which contribute to the success of this world class event."

John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. and its affiliated companies provide a broad array of insurance and investment products and services to retail and institutional customers. As of December 31, 2002, John Hancock and its subsidiaries had total assets under management of $127.6 billion.

CONTACT: Pam Kruh (617) 572-0558

John Hancock Financial Services, Inc.

CONTACT: Pam Kruh of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., +1-617-572- 0558

Web site: www.jhancock.com

In the news release, John Hancock Financial Services Announces 2003 Boston Marathon Elite International Field, issued earlier today by John Hancock over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that following document was inadvertently omitted:

107th Boston Marathon John Hancock's 2003 Elite Athlete Field

Men's Open Field Personal Best Vincent Kipsos, Kenya 2:06:52 (Berlin, 2002) Benjamin Kosgei Kimutai, Kenya 2:07:26 (Amsterdam, 2002) Giacomo Leone, Italy 2:07:52 (Otsu, 2001) Rodgers Rop, Kenya 2:08:07 (New York, 2002) Christopher Cheboiboch, Kenya 2:08:17 (New York, 2002) Laban Kipkemboi, Kenya 2:08:39 (New York, 2002) Eric Wainaina, Kenya 2:08:43 (Tokyo, 2002) Pavel Loskutov, Estonia 2:08:53 NR (Paris, 2002) John Nada Saya, Tanzania 2:08:57 (Milan, 2001) Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, Kenya 2:08:59 (Milan, 2002) Timothy Cherigat, Kenya 2:09:34 (San Sebastian, 2002) Silvio Guerra, Ecuador 2:09:49 NR (Chicago, 1997) Martin Lel, Kenya 2:10:02 (Venice, 2002) Luis Fonseca, Venezuela 2:11:49 (Boston, 2002) Romulo Da Silver, Brazil 2:12:24 (Berlin, 2001) Bruce Deacon, Canada 2:13:18 (Sacramento, 2002) Wilson Kipkemboi Kigen, Kenya 2:13:49 (Eindoven, 2002) Stephen Kiogora, Kenya Debut

Women's Open Field Personal Best

Margaret Okayo, Kenya 2:20:43 CR (Boston, 2002) Svetlana Zakharova, Russia 2:21:31 NR (Chicago, 2002) Joyce Chepchumba, Kenya 2:23:22 (London, 1999) Elana Meyer, South Africa 2:25:15 NR (Boston, 1994) Esther Kiplagat, Kenya 2:25:32 (Paris, 2002) Lyubov Denisova, Russia 2:26:17 (New York, 2002) Alice Chelangat, Kenya 2:26:36 (Milan, 2001) Marla Runyan, U.S. 2:27:10 (New York, 2002) Albina Ivanova, Russia 2:29:53 (Honolulu, 2002) Milena Glusac, U.S. 2:31:14 (New York, 2002) Jill Gaitenby, U.S. 2:36:10 (Minneapolis, 2002)