FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
John Hancock Announces Elite USA Team for 2014 Boston Marathon
BOSTON, MA, January 7, 2014-John Hancock Financial today announced the
Elite USA Team for the 118th running of the Boston Marathon on April 21,
2014. The exceptional U.S. team, recruited to compete with a deep
international field, includes Desiree Davila Linden, Shalane Flanagan, Amy
Hastings, Serena Burla, Adriana Nelson, Dathan Ritzenhein, Meb Keflezighi,
Brett Gotcher, Jason Hartmann, Nick Arciniaga and Jeffrey Eggleston.
Each member of the team has competed for the U.S. in Olympic or World
Championships and brings strong credentials to compete in Boston.
Desiree Davila Linden returns to Boston ready to race and seek the title.
In 2011, she narrowly missed winning by two seconds, as she set a 2:22:38
American course record. In 2012, Linden finished second at the U.S. Olympic
Marathon Trials and most recently placed fifth at the 2013 Berlin Marathon.
"It is an honor to be included in the 2014 John Hancock elite field," said
Linden. "The Boston Marathon was home for both my debut and my breakthrough
marathon.It seems to be an atmosphere that brings out the best in me, and
I'm looking forward to being back out there in 2014. In light of the tragic
events in 2013-and I'm not unique in this respect-the Boston Marathon
brought out the best in so many runners on the course that day as they
showed both courage and compassion. I look forward to sharing the road and
the journey in 2014 as we run together from Hopkinton to Boston and show
the strength and resilience of the running community."
Three-time Olympian Shalane Flanagan, who finished fourth last year in
Boston, also returns for the win. In 2012 she won the U.S. Olympic Marathon
Trials in an event record of 2:25:38 and finished tenth at the 2012 London
Olympic Marathon.Flanagan holds North and Central American records in the
indoor 3,000m and 5,000m and in the outdoor 10,000m. She won the bronze
medal in the 10,000m at the 2008 Olympics, placed second in her 2010
marathon debut in New York City, and won the bronze medal at the 2011 IAAF
World Cross Country Championships.
"In my career, I've never felt my running take on a more personal meaning
than it will to prepare for this year's race," said Flanagan. "The 2014
Boston Marathon will be run with overwhelming honor, passion and joy. Each
step we take closer to the finish line is a victory in and of itself. It's
hard to express what it means to return this particular year to the place
where I grew up and compete. In one word, I guess it would be 'pride'. I
and many in the field will be fueled by those who were affected by the
tragedy and will be running for those who can not."
Olympian Amy Hastings will join Linden and Flanagan for her Boston debut.
After winning the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials 10,000m, Hastings finished 11th
in the event at the London Olympic Games. She then competed in the event at
the 2013 IAAF World Championships 10,000m and finished 14th. Additional
marathon highlights for Hastings include fourth at the 2012 Olympic Trials
Marathon and runner up in her exceptional marathon debut in Los Angeles.
Serena Burla is in the field after placing second at the competitive
Amsterdam Marathon this past October. In 2012 she finished third at the
Seoul International Marathon and has been runner up at the U.S. Half
Marathon Championships twice. Burla is a cancer survivor andwas diagnosed
with a malignant soft-tissue tumor in her hamstring in 2010. After radical
surgery and a positive recovery, Burla has defied the odds to again perform
as one of America's best marathoners.
Adriana Nelson had an impressive 2013 as she won the U.S. Half Marathon
Championships and finished top American at the New York City Marathon. In
2007 she debuted at the marathon distance and narrowly missed winning in
Chicago by three seconds.
In the men's field, three-time Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein joins the John
Hancock Elite Athlete Team to make his Boston debut. Ritzenhein, who is
coached by 1982 Boston Marathon champion Alberto Salazar is the third
fastest U.S. marathoner of all time. Career highlights for Ritzenhein
include finishing ninth at the 2008 Olympic Marathon, winning the bronze
medal at the 2009 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships and finishing 13th
at the 2012 Olympic Games 10,000m.
"I am very excited to be running the 2014 Boston Marathon," said
Ritzenhein. Like all serious marathoners, Boston to me is 'the race', and I
can't wait to toe the line on April 21st. Growing up with idols such as
Greg Meyer and Alberto Salazar makes me want to add my name to this
historic race."
Meb Keflezighi, a three-time Olympian, joins Ritzenhein and brings
experience to the team. He placed fifth in Boston in 2010 and third in
2006. Keflezighi finished fourth at the 2012 London Olympic Marathon after
winning the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon. Other major accomplishments
include winning the silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympic Marathon and
winning the 2009 New York City Marathon.
"It is always a great honor to compete in the prestigious Boston Marathon,"
said Keflezighi. This year's race will have special significance for all of
us because of the tragedy that occurred last year.I am honored to be
amongst the 36,000 runners that are running the 2014 Boston Marathon to
demonstrate the spirit of the marathon.I am training hard and smart to be
healthy and fit enough to compete for a victory.Let's visualize our goals
in our months of training and race with a united purpose on April 21st."
Bret Gotcher is making his Boston Marathon debut and is another strong
contender in the field. Gotcher finished fifth at the 2012 U.S. Olympic
Marathon Trials. He was top American at the 2013 Wharf to Wharf race, is a
past national champion in the 20K, and has competed for the U.S. on World
Cross Country and Half Marathon teams. Gotcher won the gold medal at the
2003 Junior Pan American Games 10,000m and earned All American status at
Stanford University.
Always the strategist, Jason Hartmann knows how to run the challenging
Boston terrain and take on the best runners in the world. Hartmann finished
fourth in 2012 and 2013. "I had the opportunity to become part of
thehistoric legacy the past two years," said Hartmann. "And now I look
forward to running the Boston Marathon to improve upon my past
performances. My expectations are for me to leave it all out on the course,
no matter the elements." Hartmann won the 2009 Twin Cities Marathon and has
competed for the U.S. on World Cross Country and Half Marathon teams.
Nick Arciniaga and Jeffrey Eggleston round out the men's U.S. elite team.
Arciniaga recently won the U.S. Marathon Championships held this past
October at the St. Paul Twin Cities Marathon. He is a pastmember of the
U.S. World Championships Marathon team, finished eighth at the 2012 U.S.
Olympic Trials Marathon, was runner up at the 2011 Houston Marathon,and
third at the 2010 San Diego Marathon. Arciniaga brings experience to the
Boston Marathon course, having finished tenth in 2008.
Jeffrey Eggleston was the top American finisher at the 2013 IAAF World
Championships Marathon in Moscow, where he placed 13th overall. Last year
he also won the Chicago Half Marathon. Eggleston was runner up at the 2010
U.S. Marathon Championships, second at the 2012 Pittsburgh Marathon and
winner of the 2012 Woodlands Marathon.
"The group of U.S. runners which has committed to the 2014 Boston Marathon
is exceptional," said Tom Grilk, B.A.A. Executive Director."The team
reflects both principal sponsor John Hancock's recruitment success in
assembling the best available Americans, and the athletes' desire to run
Boston in what certainly will be a special year for the race and the City."
"It is fitting that we present the strongest American field in our nearly
30 years of sponsorship of the Boston Marathon. These exceptional athletes
personify the meaning of strength, commitment and support. These are the
same attributes that so many in our community displayed last April 15 and
have continued to demonstrate in the weeks and months since," said Rob
Friedman, head of Sponsorship and Event Marketing at John Hancock.
The complete John Hancock international field for the 2014 Boston Marathon
will be announced in late January. This year marks the 29th year of John
Hancock's landmark sponsorship of the legendary race. For additional
information about the Elite Athlete Program and sponsorship, please visit
www.johnhancock.com/bostonmarathon/sportspartnerships.html or follow us
@jhboston26 on Twitter.
2014 Boston MarathonJohn Hancock Elite USA Team
Desiree Davila USA 2:22:38 (Boston, 2011)
Linden
Shalane Flanagan USA 2:25:38 (Houston, 2012)
Amy Hastings USA 2:27:03 (Los Angeles, 2011)
Serena Burla USA 2:28:01 (Amsterdam, 2013)
Adriana Nelson USA 2:28:52 (London, 2008)
Dathan Ritzenhein USA 2:07:47 (Chicago, 2012)
Meb Keflezighi USA 2:09:08 (Houston, 2012)
Brett Gotcher USA 2:10:36 (Houston, 2010)
Jason Hartmann USA 2:11:06 (Chicago 2010)
Nicholas Arciniaga USA 2:11:30 (Houston, 2011)
Jeffrey Eggleston USA 2:12:03 (Chicago, 2012)
About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial
John Hancock Financial is a division of Manulife Financial, a leading
Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia,
Canada and the United States. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and
Asia, and primarily as 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 C$575 billion (US$559 billion) as at September 30, 2013.
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 manulife.com.
The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of
the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers and
administers a broad range of financial products, including life insurance,
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 johnhancock.com.
###
|
