Projo Running Blog

From the Running USA wire:

National Distance Running Hall of Fame Announces Its Class of 2008

UTICA, N.Y. - During the recent Boston Marathon weekend, the National Distance Running Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2008. Members of the class of 2008 are: Amby Burfoot, Johnny Hayes and Priscilla Welch.

"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.

Burfoot, as a college senior, was the first American to win the Boston Marathon since 1957 with a time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, 17 seconds. Hayes was the first American to win the Olympic Marathon against a truly international field. Welch holds several masters records at a variety of distances including the marathon (2:26:51).

"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 3:00pm, and is open to the public. 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: 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.

2008 CLASS BIOS
Amby Burfoot
Burfoot, a Wesleyan University senior at the time, was the first American to win the Boston Marathon since 1957 with his 2:22:17 victory in 1968. Burfoot is the Editor-at-Large of Runner's World Magazine. He has written several books on running, including Runner's World Complete Book of Running.

Johnny Hayes
Hayes won the 1908 Olympic Marathon in London, 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.

Priscilla Welch
Welch, who won the 1987 New York City Marathon at age 42, holds several masters women's records at a variety of distances including the marathon with a time of 2:26:51 from the 1987 London Marathon. 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.

For more information, contact Mary MacEnroe at (315) 724-4525 or visit: DistanceRunning.com

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