FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATIONAL DISTANCE RUNNING HALL OF FAME INDUCTS THE CLASS OF 2008
April 19, 2008 (Utica, NY) - The National Distance Running Hall of Fame
announces the Induction Class of 2008. Members of the class of 2008, which
will be announced as part of the Boston Marathon Weekend, include: Amby
Burfoot, Priscilla Welch and Johnny Hayes.
"The BAA has been proud to play a role in the National Distance Running
Hall of Fame announcement of inductees. We have been involved since the
Hall of Fame's inception," said Guy Morse, Executive Director of the Boston
Athletic Association. "As a host to the world's oldest annual marathon, and
with the media attendance at the Boston Marathon, we take great pride in
partnering with the National Distance Running Hall of Fame to bring the
sport added exposure."
Amby Burfoot was the first American to win the Boston Marathon since 1957
with a time of 2:22:17. Priscilla Welch holds several masters' women's
records at a variety of distances including the women's masters' marathon
with a time of 2:26:51. Johnny Hayes was the first American to win the
Olympic Marathon against a truly international field.
"We are honored to make this announcement as part of Boston Marathon
weekend," said Tim Reed, Director of the Hall of Fame. "The BAA has been a
tremendous partner for the Hall, and it is fitting to announce this
exceptional 2008 class in conjunction with the BAA and one of the most
important races in the world." Reed praised this year's class as highly
worthy and representative of the achievements that the distance running
community admires. "This class reminds us of the hard work and dedication
that it takes to excel in distance running. We are grateful that their
personal achievements help bring recognition to the sport."
The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 12 at
the Auditorium on the grounds of the Masonic Care Community in Utica, New
York. The ceremony inducting the ninth class into the Hall of Fame begins
at 3 p.m., and is open to the public. The cost of admission is free. The
Induction Ceremony is part of the festivities taking place during National
Distance Running Hall of Fame Weekend featuring The Boilermaker Road Race.
For more information about events during the weekend, visit
www.boilermaker.com.
The Hall of Fame voting committee, which consists of national leaders in
the running community, as well as members of each induction class, selected
this year's inductees. Current Hall of Famers include: Bill Rodgers, Joan
Benoit Samuelson, Frank Shorter, Kathrine Switzer, John J. Kelley, Nina
Kuscsik, Billy Mills, Alberto Salazar, and Grete Waitz.
For more information, contact Mary MacEnroe at the National Distance
Running Hall of Fame in Utica, New York at (315) 724-4525 office or (315)
796-4524 cell.
Amby Burfoot
Burfoot finished 15 Boston Marathons including a win in 1968 with a time of
2:22:17. He was the first American to win the Boston Marathon since 1957.
Burfoot is the executive editor of Runner's World Magazine. He has written
several books on running, including Runner's World Complete Book of
Running.
Priscilla Welch
Welch holds several masters' women's records at a variety of distances
including the women's masters' marathon with a time of 2:26:51. Some of
Welch's awards include Runner's World Magazine's 1986 Masters Woman Runner
of the Year, 1991 Masters' Runner of the Quarter Century and Best Female
Masters Road Runner in the 1996 Runner's World "100 Years of Running"
issue.
Johnny Hayes
Hayes won the 1908 Olympic Marathon, beating Dorando Pietri. This marathon
was significant because it was the first marathon held at the now standard
distance of 26 miles, 385 yards. It was also the first time an American won
the Olympic Marathon against a truly international field. Hayes also won
the first Yonkers Marathon in 1907, and placed 2nd (1908), 3rd (1907), and
5th (1906) at the Boston Marathon. Hayes kicked off a period of intense
competition in the marathon after he turned pro shortly after his Olympic
victory.
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