Boston Marathon

Helping To Keep The Race Running

As principal sponsor, John Hancock has provided substantial financial resources, including the first-ever prize money in 1986, and has continued that tradition with a prize purse this year of $796,000, plus other performance bonuses.

It's a sign of spring when the JH Boston Marathon signs come out

In addition, the company also contributes a wide range of financial support and services to cities and towns 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. To support the thousands of local, national and international media representatives who arrive in the city to cover the race, John Hancock's Corporate Communications department assists in the production of an informative media guide, the coordination of press materials and credentials, and the operation of the pressroom. On race day, John Hancock provides the use of several facilities in Copley Square, the services of more than 500 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.

Each year, John Hancock recruits 30 of the world's top distance runners and brings these elite athletes to Boston for the world-class event, where they stay in the John Hancock Elite Athlete Village set up at the John Hancock Conference Center. The company also sponsors the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo, which is the official location for picking up entry bibs and other important race information. The Expo serves as a hub for Marathon participants and their guests throughout Race Weekend, drawing 200 exhibitors and 80,000 visitors.

Reaching Out To The Community

John Hancock President & CEO John D. DesPrez III holds the tape as 2008 Boston Marathon Men's Champion Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot of Kenya crosses the Finish Line, his fourth win at Boston.

John Hancock sponsors many community initiatives in coordination with the Marathon each year, including the Boston Marathon Kenya Project, the Adopt-a-Marathoner program at the Elmwood Elementary School in Hopkinton, and the John Hancock Charity Bib Program.

The Boston Marathon Kenya Project utilizes the venue of the Boston Marathon to teach Boston elementary students about the history of this international race and the distinctive fact that Kenyans have dominated the course over the past decade. In addition, John Hancock volunteers and executives educate students on subjects including the culture, tribes, language and geography of Kenya. The program is held at the African Tropical Forest exhibit in Boston's Franklin Park Zoo and includes a visit and open forum with Boston Marathon Kenyan champions.

Begun in 1993, the Adopt-a-Marathoner Program 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 at an assembly, and later meet with them in small groups.

In 2008, John Hancock added another dimension to its Marathon activities by sponsoring Team Hoyt. For over 30 years, Dick Hoyt has pushed or pulled his disabled son Rick through the finish lines of 25 Boston Marathons and nearly 1,000 athletic events. Hancock's sponsorship will help the Hoyts spread their message of determination and motivation to others throughout the year. Beyond their athletic achievements, Dick and his son Rick, who is a quadriplegic and has cerebral palsy, work tirelessly to educate the public about the challenges disabled people face every day.

John Hancock SVP Jim Gallagher (center, rear), 2006 Boston Marathon Women's Champion Rita Jeptoo (left, rear) and Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot (right, rear), with four students at the Kenya Project.

 The Charity Bib Program leverages the race to support worthy causes with John Hancock donating invitational entry "bibs" to local non-profits. In 2007, 900 program participants used these bibs to raise $3.3 million.

Additionally, more than 100 John Hancock employees ran the Marathon on behalf of several local nonprofits and in 2008 they raised $134,000. The Boston Marathon Fundraising Program is part of John Hancock's $11 million of support to Boston area community programs in 2008. The company also donates 10,000 hours of community support through its employee volunteer programs each year.