Boston Marathon
Boston Marathon
Proud Sponsor for 35 years running
It's the oldest, toughest and most iconic race in the world, drawing a million spectators and spurring millions in charitable donations annually. The Boston Marathon is the pride of our city and company, and we're honored to be its principal sponsor for a 35th year.
124th Boston Marathon to be Held Virtually
The health and wellness of Boston Marathon runners, the community and our employees are always our top priority. In light of ongoing COVID-19 recovery efforts and to safeguard the health of the public, the 124th Boston Marathon will be held virtually, following Boston Mayor Martin Walsh’s cancellation of the marathon as a mass participation road running event.
The Marathon is an important event for our community and a cornerstone of John Hancock’s work to foster a healthier, more equitable Boston. It is the pride of our City and our company, and we look forward to seeing the spirit of this great event come to life virtually.
Please refer to the B.A.A.’s website for specific details and the latest updates.
To mark the 124th Boston Marathon this April, 35-year principal sponsor John Hancock, joined by the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.), Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, call on the community to collectively share gratitude for the essential workforce who are risking their lives every day to fight COVID-19 by lighting their buildings blue, displaying signs of gratitude in their homes and showing support online. Additionally, 124 race bibs for the 124th Boston Marathon will be donated to existing hospital teams and the Boston Resiliency Fund in recognition of their ongoing work during the crisis.
Starting on One Boston Day through Patriots’ Day, John Hancock, in partnership with Off Their Plate, will be providing more than 8,500 nutritious meals to the essential workforce at responding Boston hospitals providing lifesaving care to fight COVID-19. The meals will feed physicians, nurses, janitorial staff, security and anyone directly interacting with and serving COVID-19 patients for either breakfast, lunch or dinner on a rotating schedule.
Show your support. Downloadable templates to print, color and hang in your window:
75 athletes. 17 countries. 1 goal.
This year's elite field includes world-record holders. Olympians, Paralympians and 16 returning Boston Marathon champions. See how it all ends on September 14th, when the quiet town of Hopkinton once again transforms into the running capital of the world.
The best of the best are returning to Boston. The John Hancock Elite Athlete Team welcomes back 16 Champions for the 2020 Boston Marathon.
Open Champions:
Lawrence Cherono
Lelisa Desisa
Worknesh Degefa
Desiree Linden
Yuki Kawauchi
Edna Kiplagat
Geoffrey Kirui
Caroline Rotich
Wheelchair Champions:
Manuela Schär
Daniel Romanchuk
Tatyna McFadden
Marcel Hug
Ernst van Dyk
Joshua Cassidy
Masazumi Soejima
Hiroyuki Yamamoto
You will love this city, but the course can break your heart. It’s unlike any other stretch of 26.2 miles in the world. Downhill. Uphill. Down again. It’s a rollercoaster of emotion that will challenge you every step of the way.
Experience the route (and the notorious Heartbreak Hill) firsthand by watching our 2020 course preview.
By the numbers
Non-profit program information
$25,031,095
Raised for 2020 Boston Marathon charities so far
As part of our sponsorship, John Hancock donates over a thousand Boston Marathon entries through our Marathon Non-Profit Program. Runners pledge to raise money for select organizations in exchange for these coveted bibs.
Applications for the 2020 race have closed. If you would like to receive email notifications about the application process and deadlines for the 2021 program, please submit an interest form.
The 2019 Boston Marathon champions
Laurence Cherono
Men's Open
Worknesh Degefa
Women's Open
Daniel Romanchuk
Men's Wheelchair
Manuela Schär
Women's Wheelchair
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