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Press Release

27th Annual Blue Cross Broad Street Run Expected to Top 15,000 Runners

Philadelphia, PA - May 5, 2006 - When more than 15,000 pairs of feet pound Philadelphia's pavement during the first Sunday in May, it can mean only one thing - the 27th Annual Blue Cross Broad Street Run, that annual springtime tradition in the City of Brotherly Love when runners from all over the world compete in one of the fastest 10-mile courses in the country.

"We're pleased to see so many people dedicated to health and fitness participating in the Blue Cross Broad Street Run - whether they're serious athletes seeking to improve their times, or weekend warriors challenging themselves," said Joseph A. Frick, IBC president and chief executive officer. "We're honored to be the title sponsor of this internationally-recognized race that brings together people from our region and throughout the world for good fun and great competition."

"Thanks to Independence Blue Cross, the race has grown remarkably - in the last five years alone, the number of runners has more than doubled to more than 15,000 this year," said Jim Marino, race director at the Philadelphia Recreation Department, which conducts the event. "People enjoy running this exciting urban course and raising money for the American Cancer Society at the same time."

This year, there will be an added twist in the 27th Annual Blue Cross Broad Street Run. About 250 soldiers and civilians stationed in Iraq will stage a Baghdad version of the race this Sunday. The brainchild of Bucks County native Christopher Lauchner, who's run his hometown race the last few years, the sister Baghdad race is being informally called the "loopiest 10-miler in Iraq" for the six loops around a 1.67-mile course inside the compound of the United States Embassy in Baghdad. The results of the Baghdad run will be included in the final race tally for the Blue Cross Broad Street Run.

From its humble start in 1980, the Blue Cross Broad Street Run has grown into a premier 10-miler that attracts more than 15,000 runners to compete on one of the fastest courses in the country. In fact, the record for the fastest 10-mile race ever recorded in the United States was captured during the 2002 Blue Cross Broad Street Run when Kenyan native Simon Wangai of Royersford, PA, finished the race in 45 minutes, 16 seconds.

This year's festivities kick off on Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6 with the Not For Runners Only Health & Fitness Expo at its new location, Lincoln Financial Field at 11th Street and Pattison Avenue.

On Race Day, there's fun for the whole family at the "MetroKids Fun at the Blue Cross Broad Street Run," which includes games, face painting, magicians, rides, dashes and the annual Diaper Derby. Registration for the MetroKids Fun begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For more than 65 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered quality health care products and services tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, groups and providers.

Independence Blue Cross recently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO and PPO health care plans. In addition, in 2005, Independence Blue Cross's Personal Choice was rated the No. 1 PPO in the nation and its Keystone HMO was ranked the No. 1 HMO in the region by health care consumers in a leading independent consumer magazine.