BOSTON—The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) and Boston
Marathon principal sponsor John Hancock have announced that reigning wheelchair
champion Daniel Romanchuk, 2018 winner Des Linden, five-time wheelchair
champion Tatyana McFadden, and 2014 victor Meb Keflezighi will serve as
Champion Ambassadors for the 124th Boston Marathon Virtual
Experience.
“Boston Marathon champions represent the hard work,
sacrifice, and determination it takes to reach the finish line,” said Tom
Grilk, B.A.A. C.E.O. “As we approach September’s Boston Marathon Virtual
Experience, we look forward to connecting our dedicated runners with race
champions to further enhance their virtual run.”
Romanchuk, Linden, McFadden, and Keflezighi will inspire
and encourage participants in many ways throughout race week. All will
participate in a Boston Marathon Champions Panel presented by John Hancock,
where they’ll provide insights on what it’s like to win in Boston and tips on
covering the marathon distance.
In addition, each champion will be featured on a segment of
Boston Marathon Live presented by Amazon and WBZ-TV, a daily race-week
show produced by WBZ-TV and streamed online on CBSBoston.com from September 7
through 13. Romanchuk and McFadden will highlight the various elements of
wheelchair racing, from equipment to advancements in the sport, while Linden
and Keflezighi will detail how they’ve reset their running during the pandemic.
All four champions have also been named as members of this
year’s Honorary Boston Marathon Team, which highlights 26 stories of
individuals who represent the resilience and community spirit of the Boston
Marathon. The team is comprised of community leaders, frontline workers,
volunteers, Para athletes, youth ambassadors, and champions, and is being
highlighted across the Boston Marathon’s social media channels in the lead up
to race week.
Of the four champions, Romanchuk intends to also complete
the Boston Marathon Virtual Experience, covering 26.2 miles on race week.
Romanchuk hosted a virtual zoom push for wheelchair racers from around the
world earlier this year on Patriots’ Day in honor of what would have been 2020
Boston Marathon race day.
“Having won my first Boston Marathon last year, I’m excited
to join thousands of participants and cover 26.2 miles as part of the Boston
Marathon Virtual Experience,” said Romanchuk. “The community spirit around the
Boston Marathon is always strong, and that will stay true this year.”
“The Boston Marathon is a special race, with lots of history
and meaningful moments,” said McFadden. “This year’s Boston Marathon Virtual
Experience will be a new chapter in race history that I’m honored to be a part
of as a Champion Ambassador.”
“The determination and strength of Boston Marathoners is
unmatched, and it will definitely be on display around the world for this
year’s Boston Marathon Virtual Experience,” said Linden. “While we may not be
in Boston, we’re still united in spirit, and as a Champion Ambassador I’ll be
supporting from start to finish.”
“Boston Marathoners are
determined, and always finish Boston strong,” said Keflezighi. “Training for
many months, they’re about to reach the finish of the Boston Marathon Virtual
Experience, and as a Champion Ambassador I’m eager to celebrate their journey.”
In addition to the Champion Ambassadors, other race
champions, running legends, and John Hancock Elite Athlete Team members will
cover miles within their communities in support of the Boston Marathon and
virtual marathoners around the world.
Among those who plan to run 26.2 miles recreationally at
home include Canadian Olympian Dylan Wykes, U.S Army elite Elkanah Kibet, and
Kenyan standout Felix Kandie.
Olympic medalists, national record holders, and
professional runners from around the world will also unite as friendly relay
teams to cumulatively tally 26.2-miles together on race week. Among Boston
Marathon champions to take part include Keflezighi, Lawrence Cherono, Lelisa
Desisa, Edna Kiplagat, Yuki Kawauchi, Geoffrey Kirui, Uta Pippig, and Bill
Rodgers, as well as American record holder Deena Kastor, two-time Olympic
medalist Galen Rupp, and top Americans Jordan Hasay and Emma Bates. Each will
log miles in the spirit of the Boston Marathon Virtual Experience from their
neighborhoods.
The 124th Boston Marathon Virtual Experience
will be held September 5–14 in neighborhoods around the world. Nearly 18,000
participants from 100 countries are entered, and will have ten days to cover
26.2-miles in one continuous run to earn their B.A.A. unicorn medal and be
recognized as a Boston Marathon finisher. The 2020 Boston Marathon, originally
scheduled for April 20 and postponed to September 14, was ultimately cancelled
in May due to the coronavirus pandemic.
ABOUT THE BOSTON MARATHON
VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE
The Boston Marathon Virtual Experience will bring Boston to the world, with participants completing 26.2-miles within their neighborhoods from September 5 through September 14. The B.A.A. will present more than a week’s worth of content that can be accessed digitally worldwide. Boston Marathon Live will air September 7 through September 13 on CBSBoston.com. The Boston Marathon Virtual Experience will conclude with the Mile 27 Post-Race Party presented by Samuel Adams on Monday, September 14.
The Boston Marathon Virtual Experience will bring Boston to the world, with participants completing 26.2-miles within their neighborhoods from September 5 through September 14. The B.A.A. will present more than a week’s worth of content that can be accessed digitally worldwide. Boston Marathon Live will air September 7 through September 13 on CBSBoston.com. The Boston Marathon Virtual Experience will conclude with the Mile 27 Post-Race Party presented by Samuel Adams on Monday, September 14.
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