All PR Newswire news
Olympian and U.S. Trials Champion Ryan Hall seeks American win in Boston
principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon, John Hancock Financial today
announced the signing of Olympic marathoner and American half marathon record
holder
The fastest American marathoner in 2007 and 2008, Hall has quickly proven
himself as one of the best distance runners in the world. He seeks to become
the first American winner of the race since Grey Meyer in 1983.
“I am grateful to have the opportunity to compete on the John Hancock
elite team at the 2009 Boston Marathon,” said Hall. “The Boston Marathon is
the granddaddy of the World Marathon Majors, to win here would mean as much to
me as winning any marathon in the world, including the Olympic Games. To win
in
to the days of Salazar, Beardsley, and Rodgers. I hope that I can contribute
to bringing American marathoning back to the forefront. There is no better
place to do that than
A 2005
his greatest potential on the roads. In late 2006, he set the American 20K
record at the World Championships and in early 2007 broke the 21-year-old
American half marathon record at the U.S. Championships. His 59:43 win marked
the first time an American had ever broken the one-hour barrier.
Turning to the marathon, Hall made his debut on the
and stayed with the African leaders until the final miles. His 2:08:24 was the
fastest debut ever by an American. A few months later at the U.S. Olympic
Trials, he set a course record as he cruised to a nearly two-minute lead over
one of the best U.S. fields ever assembled.
Continuing his meteoric rise Hall returned to
Olympics and ran a remarkable 2:06:17, making him the second fastest American
of all time. At the Olympics Hall placed 10th, and although he had some
disappointment in that showing, he is young and eager to build on his
potential.
“Ryan’s Boston Marathon debut will be a highly anticipated performance
throughout the sports world,” said Executive Director
Athletic Association, which oversees the race. “As an American Olympian
recruited by our principal sponsor John Hancock Financial, his commitment to
race in
indicators that he will add great excitement to the 113th Boston Marathon as
he challenges some of the world’s best athletes on the world’s most famous
course.”
Hall is married to professional runner
resides in
groups such as Team World Vision. They worked on a campaign this year, “More
Precious than Gold,” that raised nearly a million dollars to help bring clean
water wells and irrigation systems to poor communities in
About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial Corporation
John Hancock Financial is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation (the
Company), a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions
of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife
Financial in
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
billion) as at
Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE,
and under ‘0945′ 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
range of financial products and services, including life insurance, fixed and
variable annuities, 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.
SOURCE John Hancock Financial
Copyright 2008 PR Newswire
Be First To Comment
Sorry the comment area are closed