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BOSTON, MA, December 1, 2010ÛÓIn their 26th year as the
principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon, John Hancock Financial today
announced the return of top American Ryan Hall, for the 115th
running of the race on April 18, 2011.
Hall has proven himself as one of the best distance
runners of all time and has shown he can compete successfully with Boston’s
world-class fields. After finishing third in 2009, Hall returned to Boston this
past April and set a new U.S. course record with his 2:08:41 fourth-place finish.
Hall is the second fastest American marathoner of all
time with a 2:06:17 personal best and currently holds the American record in
the half marathon. The Stanford University graduate was first at the 2007 U.S.
Olympic Trials and went on to place 10th at the 2008 Beijing Olympic
Marathon.
“I am excited to be part of the John Hancock elite
team for the third year in a row. I can’t wait to be back in Hopkinton in April
ready to test myself over the most historic marathon course in America,” said
Hall. “I love the Boston Marathon and hope that both my experience training on
and racing in the Boston Marathon will lead to something very special in the
2011 race.”
In the 2010 race, Hall dictated the pace to the lead
pack and his hard work helped Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot set a new course record of
2:05:52. Hall’s strong closing miles put him within 2 seconds of a podium position
as he led the U.S. men to three spots in the top ten.
“Regardless of the day’s results, all of us who take
on the unique journey of covering the 26.2 trying miles to Boylston Street can
all say we partook in history,” added Hall. “I am training with eager
anticipation for the opportunity that the Boston Marathon offers, believing
that all things are possible. What better place to break through than in Boston?”
With necessary experience on the course and added
motivation to become the first American champion since Greg Meyer won in 1983,
Hall returns determined to seek the win. “Ryan’s performances at the last two
Boston Marathons prove that he runs to win every time he toes the starting
line,” said B.A.A.
Executive Director Guy Morse. “He is an inspired and
highly motivated individual, and we can look forward to an exciting marathon
and another competitive race from him in April.”
“As it is each year, John
Hancock remains committed to securing the strongest fields of runners from
around the world for the Boston Marathon. We’re very pleased to have Ryan
return to Boston again this year, not only as the top U.S. runner, but also as
part of what will be an elite global field for the 2011 race,” said Jim Boyle,
President of John Hancock Financial Services. “Ryan and the other elite runners
every year provide spectators and viewers with a thrilling race. While
marathoning is a global sport, the growing prominence of U.S. runners among the
world’s elite has been a terrific development for fans and for the sport.”
About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial
Corporation
John Hancock Financial is a unit of Manulife Financial
Corporation, a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions
of customers in 22 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife
Financial in Canada and in most of Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the
United States, Manulife Financial Corporation offers clients a diverse range of
financial protection products and wealth management services through its
extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. For more than 120 years, clients have looked
to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions
for their most significant financial decisions. Funds under management
by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$474 billion (US$460
billion) as at September 30, 2010.
Manulife Financial Corporation trades as Û¢MFC’ on the
TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under Û¢945′ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial may 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.