Press release

May 19, 2005

STANDARD LIFE MARATHON TO BE HELD FOR 23^RD CONSECUTIVE YEAR ON JUNE 11^TH

5,000 runners and walkers expected to raise $350,000 for pediatric research


Montréal, May 19, 2005 - The Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada announced today that the 23rd annual Standard Life Marathon will be held on Saturday, June 11th at Mount Royal Park.

Funds collected for the Standard Life Marathon - by individuals, teams, companies and sponsors - will go directly to the Foundation for Research into Children's Diseases, the largest source of non-governmental funding for pediatric research in Québec. This foundation supports four children's research institutions: "l'Hôpital Saint-Justine", Montreal Children's Hospital, "le Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec" and " le Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke".

"As primary sponsor, Standard Life assumes all expenses associated with the management of this event. Since the Standard Life Marathon was first run in 1983, the event has generated more than $5.6 million for research that benefits thousands of children around the world" said Joseph Iannicelli, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada.

Anyone can participate in the Standard Life Marathon. Runners are asked to pay a $25 tax-deductible registration fee, which is automatically waived with sponsorship donations of at least $25. Walkers are asked to raise at least $25 in sponsorship support in order to be eligible for prizes. Participants may register and fundraise directly online or obtain paper pledge forms. For more information, please visit www.standardlife.ca/marathon/ or call (514) 483-1865.

The 10-km run will begin at 9:00 am - rain or shine - and former Montréal Canadian and hockey legend Jean Béliveau will give the official starting signal for the 5-km walk at 10:30 am. Both events begin at Smith House, just north of Beaver Lake.

"The funds generated by the Standard Life Marathon go directly to four children's research institutions," said Victor Drury, Chief Executive Officer, The Foundation for Research into Children's Diseases. "The active participation of individuals, teams, companies and sponsors in this event makes it possible for researchers to continue their critical work in a variety of important areas of children's health. Consequently, the quality of hospital care available to our children is directly enhanced. We thank Standard Life for their continued commitment to this event and to children's health." Mr. Drury added.

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Sources:

Mark Lowe
PRagmatic Communications
For Standard Life


Telephone: (514) 499-9632

Michèle Parent
Vice-President
External Communications and
Corporate Affairs
Standard Life
Telephone: (514) 499 4273

Note to the editor:

In Canada, The Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada and its affiliated companies have $36.1 billion in assets under management and offer a wide range of financial products, including group savings and retirement, group insurance, individual life insurance, savings and retirement, and mutual funds. They also provide portfolio management and real estate and mortgage investment services. Total premium income and deposits reached $4.7 billion in 2004 with over 1.2 million customers. (www.standardlife.ca)

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