FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JOHN HANCOCK FINANCIAL ANNOUNCES 2009 BOSTON
MARATHON ELITE INTERNATIONAL FIELD
Four Past Champions, Course Record Holder, Olympians Lead
Field of 29 Athletes for 113th Running
BOSTON, MA, March 12, 2009 - In its 24th year as principal sponsor of the
Boston Marathon, John Hancock Financial today announced its elite team of
29 marathon runners set for the 113th running of the race on Monday, April
20.
Headlining the field is four time champion and course record holder Robert
Kipkoech Cheruiyot of Kenya, defending women's champion Dire Tune of
Ethiopia, and former champions Lidiya Grigoryeva of Russia and Timothy
Cherigat of Kenya. Challenging the champions are Olympians Ryan Hall, Brian
Sell and Kara Goucher of America; Deriba Merga and Gashaw Asfaw of Ethiopia
and Salina Kosgei of Kenya, as well as additional Olympians and winners of
international marathons.
"John Hancock Financial once again has the honor and pleasure of bringing
the world's top runners to the Boston Marathon, one of the world's premier
road races," said John D. DesPrez III, President and Chief Executive
Officer of John Hancock Financial. "We have an outstanding field led by our
defending men's and women's champions, and filled with an outstanding group
of runners who will provide them with a worthy challenge.
"As we continue to support this great race for the 24th year and fulfill
our commitment to the city of Boston and surrounding communities, we are
pleased that the Boston Marathon provides such a tremendous positive
economic effect on the region, particularly during the challenging economic
times that we face now. This race will generate a direct and indirect
economic impact estimated at $95 million for Boston and the region."
"Our event's principal sponsor, John Hancock Financial, again has assembled
a world-class field, providing exciting match-ups and compelling races,"
said Boston Athletic Association Executive Director Guy Morse. "From Robert
Kipkoech Cheruiyot going for his fifth victory to U.S. Olympians Ryan Hall,
Kara Goucher and Brian Sell carrying the mantle for the Americans, the
113th edition of the Boston Marathon promises first class, competitive
races from start to finish and also features a field of 25,000 motivated
participants."
John Hancock's 2009 Elite Athlete Field
113th Boston Marathon
Men's Open Field Personal Best
Ryan Hall, USA 2:06:17 (London, 2008)
Evans Cheruiyot, Kenya 2:06:25 (Chicago, 2008)
Deriba Merga, Ethiopia 2:06:38 (London, 2008)
Daniel Rono, Kenya 2:06:58 (Rotterdam, 2008)
Benjamin Maiyo, Kenya 2:07:09 (Chicago, 2005)
Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, Kenya 2:07:14 (Boston, 2006) CR
Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot, Kenya 2:07:21 (Frankfurt, 2008) CR
Gudisa Shentema, Ethiopia 2:07:34 (Paris, 2008)
Gashaw Asfaw, Ethiopia 2:08:03 (Paris, 2006)
Stephen Kiogora, Kenya 2:08:24 (Frankfurt, 2008)
Solomon Molla, Ethiopia 2:08:46 (Seoul, 2008)
Timothy Cherigat, Kenya 2:09: 34 (San Sebastian, '02) CR
Lee Troop, Australia 2:09:49 (Otsu City, 2003)
Elijah Sang, Kenya 2:10:13 (Frankfurt, 2007)
Brian Sell, USA 2:10:47 (Chicago, 2006)
Grigoriy Andreev, Russia 2:11:01 (Turin, 2008)
Iaroslav Musinschi, Moldova 2:11:43 (Istanbul, 2008)
Abebe Dinkesa, Ethiopia Debut
Women's Open Field
Galina Bogolomova, Russia 2:20:47 (Chicago, 2006) NR
Bezunesh Bekele, Ethiopia 2:23:09 (Dubai, 2008)
Salina Kosgei, Kenya 2:23:22 (Berlin, 2006)
Dire Tune, Ethiopia 2:24:40 (Houston, 2008)
Helena Kirop, Kenya 2:25:01 (Berlin, 2008)
Lidiya Grigoryeva, Russia 2:25:10 (Los Angeles, 2006) CR
Atsede Habtamu, Ethiopia 2:25:17 (Dubai, 2009)
Kara Goucher, USA 2:25:53 (New York City, 2008)
Alice Timbilili, Kenya 2:26:45 (Paris, 2008)
Shuru Deriba, Ethiopia 2:28:26 (Dubai, 2009)
Elva Dryer, USA 2:31:48 (Chicago, 2006)
NR = National Record; CR = Course Record
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