BOSTON MARATHON Champions' Breakfast by Carol Goodrow Click the above photo to enlarge. Back Row - Joan Benoit Samuelson, Bobbi Gibb, Amby Burfoot, John A. Kelley, John J. Kelley, Keizo Yamada, Bill Rodgers, Greg Meyer Front Row - Bob Hall and Jean Driscoll Click for B.A.A. Kids' Relays | Khalid Khannouchi and Distance | Winners and Heroes April 19, 2003 Some of our long distance greats were honored at the pre-race festivities of the Boston Marathon by the Boston Athletic Association. 1953, 57TH BOSTON MARATHON: KEIZO YAMADA Time: 2:18:51 (2 hours, 18 minutes, and 51 seconds) Age: 24 years old Country: Japan Facts: Keizo weighed only 108 pounds and was 5'2" tall. Keizo took the lead at one of the hardest spots of the marathon route; in the middle of Heartbreak Hill. Keizo broke a world record that day. 2003: Keizo is now 75 years old. Keizo ran again this year with a time of 4:10:13. Yamada remembered that in 1953, he just wanted to run like Johnny A. Kelley. Keizo has run the Boston Marathon every year since 1995. Quote: "I hope to keep running as long as he (Johnny A. Kelley, the elder) has," Yamada said. 1968, 72ND BOSTON MARATHON: AMBROSE BURFOOT Time: 2:22:17 (2 hours, 22 minutes, and 17 seconds) Age: 22 years old Country: United States of America Facts: Ambrose (Amby) was still in college. He was the first American in 11 years to win the Boston Marathon. He ran on a 72 degree sunny day. That's very hot weather for running a marathon. He took the lead in the last 5 miles. There were about 900 runners in the marathon. Most were men; only 3 were women. Amby liked to read and was serious about training. Keizo Yamada, Amby Burfoot, and Johnny A. Kelley 2003: Amby ran an easy marathon this year with family and friends. At the age of 55, Amby is becoming interested in running for health and fitness. He finished the marathon in 3 hours and 56 minutes. It is tradition for Amby to run the Boston Marathon every 5 years. Quote: "To win the Boston Marathon in the April of one's life, is a great thrill. But a far greater blessing is to come back 35 years later and be among so many great champions and friends and to do it all again," Amby said. 1983, 87TH BOSTON MARATHON: GREG MEYER Time: 2:09:00 (2 hours, 9 minutes) Age: 27 Country: United States of America Facts: Greg ran the third fastest race in Boston at that time. Greg was training with Bill Rodgers, another marathon great. He was the last American to ever win the Boston Marathon. Quote: "The greatest thing the B.A.A., the marathon and the sport of running gave to me is the great friends that I've made. I'm so happy to be here to make old friends new again," Meyer said. 1983, 87TH BOSTON MARATHON: JOAN BENOIT SAMUELSON Time: 2:22:43 (2 hours, 22 minutes, and 43 seconds) Age: 22 years old Country: United States of America Facts: Joan was still a college student. She had grown up in Maine and spent a lot of time in the woods. She smashed the women's world record with her run, her quiet life would change forever. Quote: "I remember being told to slow down. But I wasn't thinking world record or US record; I just wanted to run fast. But, looking back, I remember the friendships more than anything. This is what our sport is all about," Joan said when speaking of her Boston win in 1983. You can run with Joan in early August at her Portland Maine Beach to Beacon Race which features a popular kids' event. From the Beach to Beacon Event THE FESTIVITIES The Champions' Breakfast was a formal ceremony. It included the showing of the Champions' Video with clips from the four guest of honor's races.This year's bib numbers were presented to Keizo and Amby. Keizo was given number 1953, and Amby 1968. The top seeds (last year's winners) of the race were also presented bib numbers. Bob Hall (top photo) was the pioneer of the wheelchair division. He won in 1975 and 1977.He now works as the coordinator of the division. Jean Driscoll (top photo), won the Boston Marathon eight times between 1990 and 2000. No one--in any division-- has won more Boston titles that Jean. Also Ernst Van Dyk was honored by the presentation with bib number (W1). Two days later, he would wear his third consecutive Boston Marathon olive wreath. Finally Margaret Okayo, last year's winner, was presented a special award for breaking the 2002 course record.