CVS Caremark Downtown 5K Announces Preliminary Elite Runner Field
Strongest 5K elite field in the race’s 20-year history

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Posted Monday, 14 September, 2009

Woonsocket, R.I. (September 11, 2009) – The streets of Providence will soon be filled with some of the most elite runners from around the world. The professional runners – 54 to date -- will converge in Providence on September 20 for the 20th anniversary of the CVS Caremark Downtown 5K. The allure of this race is the opportunity for these athletes to earn a national title. Since 1998, the Downtown 5K has been authorized by the USA Track & Field (USATF) organization to host the USA National Championship.

Among the elite runners who will be competing in the CVS Caremark Downtown 5K are USA Olympic Runners Anthony Famiglietti, 5K road champion who won last year’s CVS Caremark Downtown 5K upon his return from the Beijing Olympics; Matt Tegenkamp, 5K track champion and USA two-mile record holder; and Amy Begley Yoder, 2009 USA Outdoor 10K champion and 2009 USA Indoor 3K champion. Please Note: A list of the additional elite runners is being distributed with this news release.

“This is the strongest 5K elite field we have ever had,” said Charlie Breagy, race director of the CVS Caremark Downtown 5K. “Given that Famiglietti and Tegenkamp -- the Americans who placed first and second in last year’s race -- are returning to compete this year and Tegencamp recently became the third fastest American over the 5K distance with a time of 12 minutes and 58 seconds, we have the potential to see a new American record. Last year, it looked like Tegenkamp had the race wrapped up at 4K, but Famiglietti managed to pass Tegenkamp over the final kilometer to win the men’s title.”

Breagy added, “On the women’s side, we’ll keep our eyes on Amy Yoder Begley. She managed to finish ahead of two-time winner and Olympic Bronze Medalist in Beijing Shalane Flanagan at the US Track 10K Championship and at the recent World Championships in Berlin where she finished sixth in the world. We’re also expecting strong local interest in the women’s race given that Providence residents Molly Huddle – winner of two recent American road championship distances – and Ireland’s Mary Cullen will also compete for the women’s title.”

While the CVS Caremark Downtown 5K draws a number of professional runners, it is also a race that attracts a wide range of running abilities. Amateur runners can compete on an individual level or as part of college, corporate, police and firefighter teams. Additionally, the Downtown 5K includes 21 different races for children -- Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade -- including an All Kids Can Inspirational event for children with disabilities and a 3K Inspirational event for high school runners.

Runners and walkers who are interested in participating in the 2009 CVS Caremark Downtown 5K, Rhode Island’s largest road race, are advised to register as soon as possible as online registration closes on September 15 at noon. Advance race registration for individuals and teams, as well as course map and complete event information can be accessed at www.cvsdowntown5k.com.

Late registration and race packet pickup will be on the Rhode Island State House Lawn, Gaspee Street in Providence on Saturday, September 19, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday (race day), September 20, 7:15 to 10:45 a.m. The first 5,000 registrants for the 5K race will receive a gift bag. The CVS Caremark Downtown 5K will start and finish on Francis Street in front of the Rhode Island State House.

About the Downtown 5K
The Downtown 5K is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that promotes health and fitness through road racing. Proceeds from the annual race event are donated to local youth charities in Rhode Island and Southern New England.

About CVS Caremark
CVS Caremark is the largest provider of prescriptions in the nation. The Company fills or manages more than 1 billion prescriptions annually. Through its unmatched breadth of service offerings, CVS Caremark is transforming the delivery of health care services in the U.S. The Company is uniquely positioned to effectively manage costs and improve health care outcomes through its more than 6,900 CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drugs stores; its Caremark Pharmacy Services division (pharmacy benefit management, mail order and specialty pharmacy); its retail-based health clinic subsidiary, MinuteClinic; and its online pharmacy, CVS.com. General information about CVS Caremark is available through the Investor Relations section of the Company's Web site, at www.cvscaremark.com/investors, as well as through the press room section of the Company's Web site, at www.cvscaremark.com/newsroom.

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