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John Hancock Announces Return of Defending and Past Champions to 2010 Boston Marathon
From the Boston MarathonFebruary 12, 2010
Boston, MA
John Hancock Financial announced on Wednesday, February 10, the return of 2009 Boston Marathon champions Deriba Merga of Ethiopia and Salina Kosgei of Kenya for the 114th running of the race on Monday, April 19 in Boston, MA.
John Hancock has also signed past champions Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot and Catherine Ndereba of Kenya, Dire Tune of Ethiopia, and Lidiya Grigoryeva of Russia.
In the 2009 men's race, Deriba Merga (photo left by www.photorun.net) of Ethiopia stopped Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot's three-in-a-row streak and ran away from the lead pack in the Newton hills, unchallenged to the finish. Merga is one of three Ethiopians to interrupt Kenyan dominance of the Boston Marathon during the past two decades. Robert Cheruiyot, a four-time Boston winner and the 2:07:14 course record holder, will again vie for the Boston Marathon men's title; Cheruiyot placed second in the ING New York City Marathon last November. The formidable Kenyan shares the feat of winning at least four times in Boston with Gerard Cote and Bill Rodgers (4 wins each), and Clarence DeMar (7 wins).
Last December, John Hancock Financial announced that top American marathoners Meb Keflezighi and Ryan Hall are part of the men's elite field for the 2010 Boston Marathon; both train with Mammoth Track Club in Mammoth Lakes, CA. Ryan placed third (2:09:40) in the 2009 race; Meb won his most recent marathon, the 2009 ING New York City Marathon in November, and placed third in the 2006 Boston Marathon.
In the 2009 women's race, Salina Kosgei was challenged every step of the way by defending champion Dire Tune. In the closest finish ever recorded, Kosgei (2:32:16, photo left by www.photorun.net) edged ahead of an exhausted Tune for a one second victory margin; American Kara Goucher ran with the leaders and placed third (2:32:25). In 2008, Dire Tune had won the final sprint by two seconds, with Russian Alevtina Biktimirova the runner-up. Challenging Salina Kosgei and Dire Tune are former champions Lidiya Grigoryeva and Catherine Ndereba. A year after winning the 2007 "Nor'easter" Boston Marathon, Grigoryeva brilliantly won over a highly competitive field in Chicago.
Catherine Ndereba, who has raced the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile three times (fifth in 2009, fourth in 2008, and second in 2004 with a time of 53:00) is the only woman with four victories in Boston (2000, 2001, 2004, 2005). Ndereba is the second fastest woman marathoner of all time (2:18:47), and has earned two Olympic marathon silver medals and two World Championship marathon gold medals.
"As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of our sponsorship, John Hancock Financial is excited with the outstanding global field of runners we will have in Boston this year. We are thrilled to have Deriba [Merga] and Salina [Kosgei] back to defend their titles and wish them all the best. They are certain to be part of another great race as they will be challenged by Robert, Catherine, Dire and Lidiya, all past champions and among the world's best," said Jim Boyle, President of John Hancock Financial.
"In the next few months, we will round out the field, announcing the participation of other elite runners, but this list today gives a sense of why the world's top runners return to Boston every spring on Patriot's Day. They want the challenge of beating the best on one of the world's great courses to win the Boston Marathon, one of the world's premier road races."
Jim Boyle added that John Hancock is pleased to fulfill its promise to the city of Boston and surrounding communities with its continued, steadfast support of the race. "Not only will the Boston Marathon once again be a great event for spectators, it also continues to generate a tremendous economic benefit for Boston and the region, with a direct and indirect economic impact estimated at $110 million," he said.
"John Hancock Financial's effort to bring back our defending champions whenever possible has been a priority, leading to compelling stories and interesting match-ups," said Guy Morse, Executive Director of the Boston Athletic Association. "By its commitment over the last quarter century, John Hancock has helped maintain Boston's position among the world's most elite marathons."
About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial Corporation
Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 22 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$436.5 billion (US$407.1 billion) as at September 30, 2009. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.
The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, fixed and variable annuities, fixed products, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at www.johnhancock.com.