John Hancock and the Boston Marathon Celebrate 35 Years of Partnership
2021 marks the 36th year of John Hancock's landmark sponsorship of the legendary Boston Marathon. John Hancock’s continued support of the Boston Athletic Association, which has directed the race since 1897, ensures the stability of the world's oldest annual marathon.
REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY
Each year, John Hancock sponsors community initiatives in coordination with their sponsorship of the Marathon, including the John Hancock Boston Marathon Non-Profit Program, Scholars & Stars in Hopkinton and Marathon on the Road.
The Non-Profit Program affords organization the opportunity to secure invitational entries into the race. In 2019, John Hancock sponsored more than 1,000 non-profit runners, along with 200 John Hancock and Manulife employees and clients. These groups raised $14 million for charities. Over the past 35 years, the official B.A.A. and John Hancock Non-Profit Programs have combined to raise more than $372 million for community organizations.
Scholars & Stars in Hopkinton, now in its 28th year, brings John Hancock’s elite Kenyan runners together with Hopkinton elementary students for a pre-race pep-rally in the historic town where the Marathon begins. Students study the culture of their running friends throughout the year and are introduced to the athletes during race week.
The Marathon on the Road program leverages John Hancock’s Boston Marathon sponsorship by bringing our team of world-class marathoners – including past champions, Olympians and top Americans – to events across America. Last year more than 70,000 people participated in John Hancock-sponsored endurance events.
HELPING TO KEEP THE RACE RUNNING
As principal sponsor, John Hancock provides substantial financial resources, including the first-ever prize money in 1986, and has funded nearly $21 million in prize and bonus awards during the past 34 years. That tradition continued this year with a prize purse of $871,000, plus $220,000 for performance bonuses.
Each year, John Hancock recruits and sponsors the top distance runners in the world to participate in the race as members of the John Hancock Elite Athlete Team. More than 900 elite athletes from 48 countries have raced on the team, supported by employee-volunteers who ensure the athletes enjoy race week hospitality at the John Hancock Elite Athlete Village.
To support the local, national and international media representatives who cover the race, John Hancock produces the official Boston Marathon print and online media guides; coordinates press events; distributes Marathon materials and credentials, hosts social platforms and supports the operation of Marathon press rooms. On race day, John Hancock provides the use of several facilities in Copley Square, the services of hundreds of employee-sponsored volunteers to assist with race-related tasks, and a giant television screen near the finish line for the public to view the race.
In addition, the Company also contributes a wide range of financial support and services to the eight towns and cities along the Marathon route in appreciation for past and continued support of the race. The eight communities are Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline and Boston.
For more information about John Hancock and the Boston Marathon, visit www.johnhancock.com or follow them at:
