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Four-time Boston Marathon champion leads banner day festivities
BOSTON, March 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today Bill Rodgers,
four-time winner of both the Boston and New York City Marathons, climbed
aboard a cherry picker to unveil the 111th Boston Marathon banners. The
event, which traditionally welcomes spring and unofficially kicks off
marathon activities, took place at the Boston Marathon finish line in
Copley Square. The Boston Marathon is the oldest annual marathon and ranks
as one of the most prestigious road racing events in the world. John
Hancock Financial Services is celebrating the 21st year of its sponsorship
of the race, which takes place on Monday, April 16, 2007.
"It's always an honor to raise the John Hancock banners," Bill Rodgers
said. "When people see the banners in March, there is a buzz that moves
through the city since everyone knows the Marathon is right around the
corner. I believe a lot of Bostonians and die-hard running fans are
counting down the days until Marathon Monday."
John Hancock provides hundreds of banners, which will be hung
throughout the city in the coming days to celebrate the race and the
achievements of the athletes. The colorfully designed banners will add a
welcomed sign of spring to the streets of Boston.
"This is always an exciting time of year," Guy Morse, Executive
Director of the Boston Athletic Association, said. "The hanging of the
Boston Marathon banners is a harbinger of spring as everyone's attention
turns toward race day."
A Massachusetts local, Rodgers has raced competitively in the top
echelon of his sport for more than a quarter century. The two American
records he set at Boston in 1975 (2:09:55) and 1979 (2:09:27) remain among
the fastest times ever run. In the history of the race only Rodgers and two
other men, Clarence DeMar and Gerard Cote, have been crowned champion four
or more times. Ranked the number one marathon runner in the world by Track
& Field News three times during his career, Rodgers won Boston in 1975 and
then was a three-peat winner from 1978-80.
In 1999, Runners World ranked him the number 10 world marathoner of the
century, and he was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame and
the National Distance Running Hall of Fame. In 1998 and 2000, USA Track and
Field ranked him the number one runner in his age division (50-54). In
2001, he finished first in the 50-59 division at the B.A.A. Half Marathon.
Rodgers has set 13 masters road records since he turned 40 and continues to
run about 25 races a year with impressive results.
About John Hancock and Manulife Financial
John Hancock is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial
Corporation, a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving
millions of customers in 19 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$414
(US$355 billion) as at December 31, 2006.
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 the United States. John Hancock offers a
broad 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.
SOURCE: John Hancock Financial Services
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