John Hancock Announces Second Year of Sponsorship for the Cooking Light & Health Fit Foodie Festival & 5K Series

BOSTON, May 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock will repeat as host sponsor of the Cooking Light & Health Fit Foodie Festival & 5K, a five-city series that will take place in Austin, Texas; Fairfax, Virginia; Denver, Colorado; Clearwater, Florida and San Diego, California.

As host of the 2017 series, John Hancock will sponsor the John Hancock Vitality Village Food and Fitness Festival, giving runners the ultimate post-run experience. In the John Hancock Vitality Village, runners will meet Olympic runners and celebrity chefs as well as celebrate their run by sampling innovative food and drink that range from healthy snacks to decadent indulgences. Runners and their friends and families can participate in cooking demonstrations, take part in fitness classes, and more! This post-run finish experience recognizes a job well done in the most mouthwatering way possible.

"The Fit Foodie is an ideal event for John Hancock to showcase our Vitality life insurance that rewards customers for making healthy choices," said Michael Doughty, president of John Hancock Insurance. "We also have a long-standing connection to the running community as the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon for 32 years, and are pleased to invite our John Hancock Elite Athlete Ambassadors Shalane Flanagan, Ryan Hall, Deena Kastor, Meb Keflezighi, Desiree Linden, Bill Rodgers and Caroline Rotich to meet with Fit Foodie runners and their families during the festival."

The 2017 Series opens in Austin on Saturday, May 20, 2017, in Old Settlers Park. Olympians Desiree Linden and Ryan Hall will join the run and encourage others to do their best. Linden is one of America's fastest runners and is the 2011 Boston Marathon runner-up. Hall holds the American record in the 20k, 30K and half marathon.

"The Fit Foodie Festival & 5K is a multi-layered event where food and fitness mix and healthy meets delicious," says event co-producer, Michelle Metter. "Runners of all levels are intrigued by the Fit Foodie lifestyle, and participate in the Festival to experience food and fitness at its finest. The series places the country's top healthy living brands face-to-face with eager enthusiasts who are passionate about healthy lifestyle choices, but also believe in indulging on occasion."

For sponsorship inquiries and more information about John Hancock Hosts the Cooking Light & Health Fit Foodie Festival & 5K, visit www.fitfoodierun.com. John Hancock Hosts the Cooking Light & Health Fit Foodie Festival & 5K is a production of Fast Forward based in San Diego, CA.

About John Hancock and Manulife
John Hancock is a division of Manulife, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Operating as Manulife in Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, our group of companies offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were $1 trillion (US $754 billion) as at March 31, 2017. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers and administers a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments,  401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

Vitality is the provider of the John Hancock Vitality Program in connection with policies issued by John Hancock.
Insurance products are issued by: John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), Boston, MA 02210 (not licensed in New York) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York, Valhalla, NY 10595. 

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SOURCE John Hancock