Athletics: Gasparilla Distance Classic Association Announces That Bank of America Will Go The Distance

TAMPA - The Gasparilla Distance Classic Association and Bank of America today announced that Bank of America, one of the world's largest financial institutions and also Title Sponsor of the Bank of America Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K and 5K, will take sponsorship of the Association's Race Weekend.

The Bank of America Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend, co-produced by the City of Tampa, will be held February 5-6, 2005 and will include the Bank of America 15K and 5K on Saturday, followed by the Bank of America Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday.

"The Gasparilla Distance Classic Association is thrilled," commented Susan Harmeling, Executive Director. "The bank has been involved with the 15K and 5K since 1987. Together, we have generated more than $2 million in charitable funds. This added commitment speaks volumes for Bank of America's commitment to the Tampa Bay community."

The Bank of America Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend will bring thousands of local, national and international runners and walkers of all shapes and sizes to Downtown Tampa. Last year's events generated an economic impact of $2 million for the City of Tampa.

"We feel that this is a tremendous opportunity to further align our brand with the rich tradition and excellence shared by Bank of America and the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association," said Steven Raney, Hillsborough County Market President of Bank of America.

Since 2003, the Bank of America Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K and 5K, and Hops Marathon and Half Marathon have been held in Tampa over the same weekend, but with different brands and different Title Sponsors. Earlier this month, the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association decided not to continue its relationship with Hops Restaurant, Bar & Brewery.

Additionally, the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association and Poe Financial Group announced that Poe will increase its sponsorship and participation in the Bank of America Gasparilla Distance Classic. Poe's increased participation will also lead to an increase in the Bank of America Gasparilla Distance Classic's Prize Purse. In 2005, $50,000 will be awarded in the Bank of America 15K and Bank of America Marathon.

Until 1997, the Bank of America Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K attracted elite athletes from around the world as they competed for $55,100 in Prize Money. In 1997 the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association elected to do away with the Prize Purse and instead donate the funds to its charities and running related programs.

"Bringing a Prize Purse back to Bayshore Boulevard is huge," added Harmeling. "Mr. Poe was with us as Mayor when the race began in 1978. After leaving office, Poe & Associates became a major partner of the event and was instrumental in its growth. It's amazing that Mr. Poe through a new company, Poe Financial Group, will now be instrumental in the growth of the marathon, half-marathon, 15K and 5K."

Poe Financial Group has sponsored the Bank of America Gasparilla Distance Classic for the past two years by donating $1,000 to each Division I and II Florida school that participated in the Poe Financial Group 5K College Invitational.

"We are delighted that Poe Financial Group can play a larger role in the Bank of America Gasparilla Distance Classic," commented Mr. Poe. "It is our intention, that with our increased participation, this will bring further exposure to showcase Tampa and an incredible weekend of running."

Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk-management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving 33 million consumer relationships with 5,700 retail banking offices, 16,500 ATMs and award-winning online banking with more than nine million active users. Bank of America is rated the No. 1 Small Business Administration Lender in the United States by the SBA. The company serves clients in 150 countries and has relationships with 96 percent of the U.S. Fortune 500 companies and 82 percent of the Global Fortune 500. Bank of America Corporation stock (ticker: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Poe Financial Group is a successor of Poe & Associates, the publicly traded company that was the largest property and casualty agency in Florida and the 12th largest in the nation. Under the direction of founding businessman and former City of Tampa Mayor, William F. Poe, Sr., Poe Financial Group was established in 1996 as Southern Family Insurance Company. By January 2003, Poe Financial had formed Atlantic Preferred insurance and Florida Preferred Property Insurance Company. Poe Financial Group also manages its own agency and claims processing divisions.