FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joshua Milne
Sports Marketing PR Specialist
John Hancock Financial Services
Phone: 617-572-3816
BILL RODGERS UNVEILS 110TH BOSTON MARATHON BANNERS
Four-Time Boston Marathon Champion Leads Banner Day Festivities
BOSTON, MA -- March 20, 2006 - Today Bill Rodgers, four-time winner of both
the Boston and New York City Marathons, climbed aboard a cherry picker to
unveil the 110th 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 17, 2006.
"It 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 an event we look forward to every year," Guy Morse, Executive
Director of the Boston Athletic Association, said. "It marks the beginning
of spring, and the turning of everyone's attention towards 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 unit 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$372 billion (US$319 billion) at
December 31, 2005. 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 universal life
insurance, variable life, term life and whole life, as well as college
savings products, fixed and variable annuities, long-term care insurance,
mutual funds, 401(k) plans and various forms of business insurance.
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