We received the following press release from John Hancock today (yes they and not Boston sends out the press releases):
Calling it right now wrote:
John Hancock Financial has announced an add and a drop to the John Hancock Elite Athlete Team for the 117th running of the Boston Marathon on April 15.
Athlete Add: Former Boston Marathon champion Deriba Merga, of Ethiopia, is a late addition to the field. Merga won the Boston Marathon in 2009 and placed third in 2010. He is an All-African gold medalist in the half marathon and was fourth in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Marathon. In 2012, he finished second at the New York City Half Marathon in 59:48 and has run under one hour in the half marathon eight times. This year, he finished second in the Houston Half Marathon in January and fourth at the Paris Half Marathon in March. His marathon personal best time is 2:06:38.
Athlete Drop: Guor Marial, a dual citizen of South Sudan and the U.S., has dropped due to a foot injury sustained in a recent race. Although he will be unable to compete this year, the Company has extended an invitation for him to return next year.
"Missing the Boston Marathon this year is a great disappointment, but I sincerely thank the Boston Marathon family for giving me that opportunity," said Marial. "I am far more excited and motivated to train hard, as well as stay healthy, for next year's event. It is my great hope to toe the starting line next year at the Boston Marathon."
Any agents/ex-agents out there? Here's my question. I've never understood how there races can add people at such a late date but it happens all the time.
Boston is 2.5 weeks (April 15th). Has Merga been training for the event? I mean how are you expected to do well in a major marathon on 2.5 weeks of training. It's time to taper.
Or is he just training hoping to get an appearance fee somewhere if a spot opening up and if not he'll go try to win an obscure marathon? Post here if you know.
Merga's struggle recently in the marathon. Here's what he's done since winning Boston in 2009.
2009
DNF World Champs
2010
2:08:39 3rd Boston
DNF Chicago
DNF Chunchon
2011
2:09:13 2nd Otsu
2012
2:21:14 10th Shanghai
He's shown decent fitness this year as he was 2nd in Houston half in 62:00 in January and 4th in Paris half in 61:37 in March.