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JOIN YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THE PHOENIX MARATHON PRESENTED BY BMO HARRIS BANK
Everyone is encouraged to cheer on their neighbors, friends and local leaders

PHOENIX (Feb. 26, 2013) – BMO Harris Bank encourages the public to enjoy the beautiful Arizona weather and cheer on thousands of runners on Saturday morning, March 2 as they race through the Usery Mountains and towards Mesa in The Phoenix Marathon. BMO Harris Bank is this year's Presenting Sponsor of the Marathon. A qualifying event for the Boston Marathon, the full marathon sold out more than a month before race day. There are registrants from 12 countries and 49 states.

Nearly a dozen elected officials, including mayors, various city council members and a former state senator, have already registered to participate. Participants include: former State Senator Jerry Lewis (full marathon), Mesa Mayor Scott Smith (presenting awards), Gilbert Mayor John Lewis (full marathon), and Mesa Public Schools Superintendent Mike Cowan (10K).

Local celebrity "Biggest Loser" Season 12 winn er John Rhodes is running the half marathon.

"We congratulate the Phoenix Marathon organizers for hosting one of the most scenic running events in Arizona," said Dan Nillen, BMO Harris Bank Arizona Commercial Real Estate Manager. "We're thrilled to sponsor an event which brings the community together and which also supports a great cause."

Nillen has been awarded the honor of announcing the countdown for the start of the full marathon.

Several Arizona BMO Harris Bank executives will be assisting at the starting point and finish line of the full marathon. Bank employees will show their support of the presenting sponsorship by volunteering and cheering on the runners as well as assisting at aid stations.

The scenic Usery Mountains are the backdrop for the 26-mile race. Runners and their supporters will enjoy the views from Usery Mountain Park. In addition to the full marathon, there is a half marathon, 10K and a free 1K fun run for kids. The shorter races will traverse through parts of historic Mesa, finishing at Riverview Shopping Center.

To give back to the community, a portion of the runners' entry fees will support Arizona Brainfood, a Mesa nonprofit that discreetly provides backpacks of food to needy school children.

"BMO Harris Bank employees take pride in our support of a fitness lifestyle that has wide popular appeal and a positive community impact. This will be my first marathon and I'm really looking forward to it," added Nillen.

For more information on the race, visit: www.thephoenixmarathon.com .
For additional information on how BMO Harris Bank supports the community, click HERE.

About BMO Harris Bank
Based in Chicago, BMO Harris Bank N.A. provides a broad range of personal banking products and solutions through over 600 branches and approximatel y 1,300 ATMs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Nevada, Arizona and Florida. BMO Harris Bank's commercial banking team provides a combination of sector expertise, local knowledge and mid-market focus throughout the U.S. Deposit and loan products and services provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC. BMO Harris BankSM is a trade name used by BMO Harris Bank N.A. BMO Harris Bank is part of BMO Financial Group, a North American financial organization with 1,600 branches, and a retail deposit base of approximately $180 billion.