BOSTON MARATHON CHAMPIONS RETURNING TO BOSTON

Boston, MA. – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) announced today that nine former champions of the Boston Marathon will return and participate in the events surrounding the 114th Boston Marathon on April 19, 2010.

Jacqueline Gareau (1980), Lisa Rainsberger [Larsen-Weidenbach] (1985), and Gelindo Bordin (1990) will celebrate the anniversaries of their legendary Boston Marathon victories by running the historic 26.2 mile course again on Marathon Monday. Gareau and Rainsberger will also team up with four-time Boston Marathon champion Bill Rodgers, three-time winner Uta Pippig, 1968 winner Amby Burfoot, 1970 victor Ron Hill, and 1983 champion Greg Meyer in the B.A.A. 5K on Sunday, April 18. The anniversaries of Geoff Smith (1984, 1985) as well as Hill, Gareau, Rainsberger, and Bordin will be recognized throughout the weekend.

“Boston Marathon champions are held in high regard throughout the running world, and in especially high regard in Boston. To have five of them at the Champions’ Breakfast will be a true delight,” said Guy Morse, executive director of the B.A.A. “It’s a bonus that Jacqueline, Lisa, and Gelindo will celebrate by returning to the site of their victories, and that Amby, Jacqueline, Lisa, Uta, Ron, Bill, and Greg will be taking part in the 5K.”

Gareau, Rainsberger, and Bordin will be recognized on Marathon Monday by wearing bib numbers with their names on them. In the sea of more than 25,000 runners, this will make them more recognizable to spectators. On Sunday of Marathon weekend, the 5,000 participants of the B.A.A. 5K will have the chance to run alongside Amby Burfoot, Ron Hill, Greg Meyer, (the last American man to win the Boston Marathon) and Bill Rodgers - some of the most famous names in distance running history.