HOPKINTON, Mass., April 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock today brought the Boston Marathon
defending women's champion Rita Jeptoo, two past champions, and
other elite Kenyan athletes, to a pre-marathon rally with nearly
600 students from Hopkinton's
Elmwood Elementary School.
The rally, part of John Hancock's 'Scholars and Stars' program,
gives students an opportunity to meet Kenyan athletes and learn
first-hand about Kenya's culture
and the lifestyles of the country's talented marathon runners. A
Kenyan has won either the men's or women's open race (and sometimes
both) in the last 22 years of the Boston Marathon.
The Kenyan runners at the event were led by Boston Marathon
defending women's champion Rita Jeptoo, who also won Boston in 2006. "I have been to this rally
before and am always so happy to see the young children interested
in running and learning about another country and its people,"
Jeptoo said.
Joining Jeptoo were 2012 Women's Champion Sharon Cherop, 2011 Women's Champion
Caroline Kilel, and more than ten
other elite runners from Kenya.
All the Kenyan elites will participate in the 118th
Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21,
2014.
"For more than twenty years, we've made the Kenyan marathon
runners' visit a cornerstone of John Hancock's overall commitment
to inspire an interest in other cultures as well as a love of
running and fitness," said Rob
Friedman, assistant vice president of Sponsorship and Event
Marketing, John Hancock. "This event also is beloved by the runners
and serves as an opportunity for us to thank them. There really is
nothing like the excitement and energy in the gym as the children
cheer on these world-class runners."
The annual event began in 1992 when 150 Elmwood students
welcomed three-time Boston Marathon champion Ibrahim Hussein and his Kenyan teammates. Since
the program's inception, Hopkinton
school officials have documented a marked increase in participation
in their interscholastic track and cross-country teams, which now
are among the most competitive in the state. More than 12,200
students, teachers, administrators and other Hopkinton community members have participated
in the event since it began.
"This event is always met with great anticipation and is a
highlight of the school year at Elmwood School," said Hopkinton Superintendent Dr. Cathy MacLeod. "The opportunity to meet the
elite Kenyan athletes provides a unique and inspiring experience
for all students to a make a direct connection from the start in
their home town to the finish line in Boston."
About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial
Corporation
John Hancock Financial is a division of Manulife Financial, a
leading Canada-based financial
services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada
and the United States. Operating
as Manulife Financial in Canada
and Asia, and primarily as 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
C$599 billion (US$563 billion) as at December 31, 2013. Manulife Financial Corporation
trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the
SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at
manulife.com.
The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies,
comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers and administers a broad range
of financial products, including life insurance, annuities,
investments, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college
savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional
information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.
SOURCE John Hancock Financial