FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Historic Boston Course Is Not World Record Eligible
John Hancock To Continue $50,000 Bonus For World Best Times
BOSTON, MA – In an effort to follow up immediately on the matter, the
B.A.A. has now had the opportunity to review with the IAAF the performance
of Geoffrey Mutai in the 2011 Boston Marathon, in which Mr. Mutai's time of
2:03:02 was the fastest ever recorded over the marathon distance. Mr.
Mutai's performance is not eligible to be recognized as a world record
under IAAF standards due to the point to point nature of the Boston course
and the fact that there is a net loss in elevation over the Boston course
that exceeds IAAF limits. IAAF standards in this regard were established in
1990.
The IAAF official with whom the matter was reviewed expressed the IAAF's
high regard for Mr. Mutai's performance. He also noted more broadly the
spectacular nature of what occurred in the 2011 Boston Marathon, both from
the men and in the women's Open Division, where the repeated surges and
lead changes between Caroline Kilel and Desiree Davila produced one of the
most exciting and competitive finishes in marathon history.
"The IAAF has acted very promptly in working with us to achieve full
clarity here. We understand and appreciate the role of the IAAF in
maintaining standards that were established to protect the integrity of the
sport," said B.A.A. Executive Director Tom Grilk. "We all know that we
witnessed one of the great days in running history at the 2011 Boston
Marathon, with all-time fastest performances in several categories and
emotional triumphs by Japanese wheelchair athletes that surely provided an
emotional lift to their countrymen and women who continue to work to
recover from the disaster that struck Japan in March. We will celebrate all
of that for a long time to come."
John Hancock Financial Services, primary sponsor of the Boston Marathon,
rewarded Geoffrey Mutai with a $50,000 bonus for running a world's best
time at this year's race and said the company will meet this promise in the
future as well.
"When you run Boston and you run faster than any man or woman has ever run
a marathon, you truly are in a league of your own," said Jim Gallagher,
Executive Vice President, John Hancock. "John Hancock recognizes this and
will proudly continue to reward greatness."
Going forward, the B.A.A. will engage members of Boston's scientific and
medical communities to determine whether factors can now be identified that
would support a further discussion as to whether the point to point nature
and elevation drop in the Boston course may be mitigated by other factors
that might permit the Boston course to be ratified for world record
consideration.
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. The Boston Marathon is
part of the World Marathon Majors along with the Virgin London Marathon,
BMW Berlin Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and the ING New York
City Marathon.
###
|
