Posted: January 10, 2006

Athletics: John Hancock Financial Services Announces Top American Olympic Silver Medalist to the 2006 Boston Marathon

Mebrahtom 'Meb' Keflezighi, Olympic Marathon silver medalist and American 10,000 meter record holder, is set to compete April 17

BOSTON, Jan. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In its 21st year as the major sponsor of the Boston Marathon, John Hancock Financial Services announced the entry of two-time American Olympian and U.S. 10,000 meter record holder Mebrahtom "Meb" Keflezighi for the 110th running of the race.

"The Boston Marathon is internationally recognized and has a great tradition, and I know there will be high expectations for me," Meb Keflezighi said. "I always 'run to win.' It is the motto that I live by."

Keflezighi (Kef-lez-ghee) joins John Hancock's elite team with outstanding accomplishments and the fastest marathon run by an American in 2005. A 13- time U.S. national champion on the track, roads and cross country, the UCLA graduate has competed on seven World Championship and two Olympic teams.

After securing a position on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Marathon team, Keflezighi went on to win the U.S. 10,000m Olympic Trials. Although he qualified for two events, he chose to focus solely on the marathon in Athens and trained arduously at altitude in Mammoth Lakes, California. The hard work and dedication paid off as Keflezighi ran the strategic race of his life against the world's best runners. His silver medal was the best showing by an American since Frank Shorter's 1976 silver medal performance. Remarkably, only 70 days later, he finished second in New York with a personal best 2:09:53 and proved he is one of the most versatile and dominant runners in the world today.

"Meb is a great competitor, and he will contend for the victory," said Guy Morse, Executive Director of the Boston Athletic Association, which organizes the marathon. "He is in the top tier internationally, and we are thrilled John Hancock was able to secure one of America's best male distance runners to compete at Boston this year."

Also the national record holder in the 10,000m (27:13.98), Keflezighi's credentials extend beyond the marathon. He won the U.S. 10,000m Olympic Trials in 2000 and finished 12th in that event in Sydney. He has ranked as the top American in events including the 5,000m, 10,000m, 12km cross-country, 15km, and 20km.

Find the latest news and information about the Boston Marathon at www.marathon.jhancock.com.

About Manulife Financial and John Hancock
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 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$360 billion (US$310 billion) as at September 30, 2005.

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.

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