John Hancock Brings Five Boston Marathon Champions and Other Elite Kenyan Runners to Hopkinton Marathon Rally
Athletes Celebrate 27th Anniversary of Program; Discuss Kenyan Culture and Training with Elmwood Elementary Students
April 11, 2019
HOPKINTON, MA – Today, John Hancock hosted five marathon champions and several other elite Kenyan athletes at a pre-marathon rally with more than 500 students from Hopkinton’s Elmwood Elementary School. This year marks the 27th anniversary of the program.
Led by Boston Marathon champions Edna Kipligat (2017), Geoffrey Kirui (2017), Caroline Rotich (2015), Wesley Korir (2012), and Sharon Cherop (2012), 13 Kenyan athletes from the 2019 John Hancock Elite Athlete Team participated in the day’s activities.
As part of John Hancock’s Scholars and Stars program, the annual rally gives students an opportunity to meet Kenyan athletes and learn first-hand about Kenyan culture and the lifestyles of the country’s talented marathon runners. Kenyan athletes have built a strong tradition at the Boston Marathon and the athletes that have visited the Elmwood Elementary School over the years have won a combined 35 Boston Marathon titles.
“The Kenyan team’s visit to Elmwood is a long-standing activity that is part of our commitment to inspire an interest in running, fitness and other cultures,” said John Hancock Chief Marketing Officer Barbara Goose. “The joy that is visible in the children’s cheers and the athlete’s smiles makes this a highlight event leading up to race day.”
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 are now among the most competitive in the state. More than 12,000 students, teachers, administrators and other Hopkinton community members have participated since the program began.
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