CIGNA/Elliot Corporate 5K Road Race Registration Begins New England's Largest 5K Targets Record Participation in 2008.

HOOKSETT, N.H. -- Registration is now open for New England's largest 5K road race. The CIGNA/Elliot Corporate 5K Road Race will start at the corner of Elm and Amherst streets in downtown Manchester, N.H. on Thursday evening, August 14 at 6:20 pm. Participants will gather in Veterans Park at Merrimack and Elm streets before and after the race. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top finishers and all walkers and runners who complete the course receive a commemorative finisher's award.

"The CIGNA/Elliot 5K has something for everyone ... it's a fast USATF course for elite athletes who come from all over the world. But, more importantly, it's a fun event for individuals, corporate teams and families," said Don Curry, president, CIGNA HealthCare in New England. "If you have never participated in a road race before, use the 3.1 mile course to kick-start your fitness routine. Set a specific goal of finishing the race and then celebrate your success with us at the post-race party at Jillian's." This year, participants may even document their success by having their photos taken at the finish line.

Ever since its inception, the CIGNA/Elliot Corporate 5K has consistently ranked in the top 20 largest 5K road races in the country according to Running USA. In some years the race has ranked among the 100 largest timed road races of any length in the country. CIGNA and The Elliot are on a campaign to challenge those who have never considered running or walking in a road race before to consider doing so this year. "The training process and participation in the road race will help improve your health, part of the mission of both organizations. And, by adding your name to list of participants, it will give us the opportunity to boost our numbers and show the country what tiny New Hampshire can do," added Curry.

"All of the races that are larger than ours take place in big cities, so these rankings are incredible for a small state like New Hampshire and speak to the quality of the race," said Douglas Dean, chairman and CEO of Elliot Health System. "We want to set new records of attendance this year to show the country that New Hampshire is not only first in presidential primaries...but is a leader in health and fitness!"

Beneficiaries of this year's road race are Easter Seals New Hampshire and Boys and Girls Clubs. Sponsors, who help make the event possible, include WMUR-TV, The Mill 96.5 FM, Coca-Cola, Wal-Mart, Jillian's, Rockingham Ambulance, Stonyfield Farm, Shaw's Supermarkets and Waste Management.

Teams may register until July 22 and add team members until July 29. Individuals may pre-register through August 7 or from noon until 6:00 pm in Veterans Park on the day of the race. Registration and details about photos may be found at www.elliothospital.org. To receive individual or team race packets, or for more information about the race, call the road race hotline at 800.554.1664.

About CIGNA HealthCare

CIGNA HealthCare, a health service organization based in Bloomfield, Conn., works to improve the health, well-being and security of the people we serve. A leading provider of employee benefit services and programs, CIGNA HealthCare offers a broad array of medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy benefits plans and coverage. We also build and provide health and wellness coaching programs and consumer information tools designed to improve health and help people in their health care decision-making. "CIGNA HealthCare" and the "Tree of Life" logo are registered service marks of CIGNA Intellectual Property, Inc., licensed for use by CIGNA Corporation (NYSE:CI) and its operating subsidiaries, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. All products and services are provided exclusively by such operating subsidiaries, and not by CIGNA Corporation. For more information, visit www.cigna.com.

About Elliot Health System

Elliot Health System is a non-profit organization serving your healthcare needs since 1890. The largest provider of comprehensive healthcare services in Southern New Hampshire, Elliot Hospital, a 296-bed acute care facility and the first community hospital in the state, serves as the cornerstone of the health system. Elliot is home to Manchester's designated Regional Trauma Center, Elliot Breast Health Center, Elliot Urgent Care, a Level 3 Newborn Intensive Care Unit, Elliot Physician Network, Elliot Regional Cancer Center, the Elliot Senior Health Center, Visiting Nurse Association of Manchester and Southern New Hampshire, and Elliot 1-Day Surgery Center. For more information on any of Elliot's services, call Elliot On-Call at 663-4567 or visit www.elliothospital.org.