112th Boston Marathon to Honor Past Champions
Posted Thursday, 17 April, 2008
BOSTON, Mass. – A number of Boston marathon legends and Massachusetts dignitaries will be taking part in the festivities surrounding the 112th running of the world's oldest annual marathon.
Patriots' Award
On Thursday, April 17, Mike Andrews, Chairman and Executive Director of the Jimmy Fund, and a member of the 1967 Boston Red Sox "Impossible Dream" team will be presented with the 2008 Patriots' Award. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and its Jimmy Fund have collaborated with the Boston Athletic Association on a number of initiatives. This year 550 runners are expected to raise $4.5 million by running the Boston Marathon as a part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge. In September, more than 7,000 walkers will take part in the Jimmy Fund Marathon Walk, and expect to raise $7 million. Then in October, Dana-Farber will once again be the presenting sponsor of the B.A.A. Half Marathon.
The Patriots' Award, established in 2002, is awarded annually to a New England-based individual, group, or organization that is patriotic, philanthropic, inspirational, and fosters goodwill and sportsmanship. Past winners include Robert and Myra Kraft and the New England Patriots (2002); Red Auerbach and the Red Auerbach Youth Foundation (2003); Ron Burton and the Ron Burton Training Village (2004); the Boston Red Sox Foundation (2005); Rick and Dick Hoyt (2006); and Joan Samuelson (2007).
Fenway Park, First Pitch
On Sunday, April 20, 1983 Boston Marathon champion Greg Meyer will throw out the first pitch at Fenway Park before the Boston Red Sox play the Texas Rangers. Meyer is the last American man to win the Boston Marathon, and will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of his victory by running the 112th Boston Marathon the next day. The game will begin at 1:35 p.m.
Official Starter, Wheelchair Division
John Kerry, Senator (D) from Massachusetts will be the official starter of the wheelchair division. The start will take place at 9:25 a.m., on Monday, April 21.
Official Starter, Elite Women's Start
Two-time Boston Marathon champion and 1984 Olympic gold medalist Joan Samuelson will start the Elite Women's race at 9:35 a.m. Samuelson will be competing one day earlier in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Women's Marathon.
Official Starter, Elite Men's Race & Wave One of the Boston Marathon
Starting Wave One of the race, which includes the elite men, will be Walter Brown. Members of the Brown family have been starting the Boston Marathon for more than a century. A statue in honor of George V. Brown, who started the race from 1905-1937, was unveiled in Hopkinton on April 13.
Grand Marshals
Top finishers from the previous day's 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Women's Marathon will serve as the official Grand Marshals of the 112th Boston Marathon.
Participants
In addition to the numerous past champions being honored this year, many are also competing. Past Boston Marathon champions entered in this year's race are:
Entrant Boston Victories Bib #
Men
Keizo Yamada 1953 #1953
Amby Burfoot 1968 #1968
Greg Meyer 1983 #1983
Robert Cheruiyot 2003, 2006, 2007 #1
Timothy Cherigat 2004 #10
Women[/B]
Rita Jeptoo 2006 #F4
Lidiya Grigoryeva 2007 #F1
Men's Wheelchair
Ernst Van Dyk 2001-2006 #W2
Masazumi Soejima 2007 #W1
Women's Wheelchair
Cheri Blauwet 2004, 2005 #W103
Wakako Tsuchida 2007 #W101
Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of managing athletic events and promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.'s Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, and the organization manages other local events and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs. Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock Financial Services.
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