BOSTON, March 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In a brief program on Boylston Street this morning, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, defending Boston Marathon women's champion Caroline Rotich, and four-time Boston Marathon champion Bill Rodgers helped race sponsor John Hancock reveal its 2016 Boston Marathon street banners.
John Hancock chose endurance as its race theme this year, highlighting the ups and downs each runner faces throughout months of training, all culminating in a collective sense of elation and celebration. The designs each feature runners, volunteers or cheering fans, and one of 12 words associated with running the Boston Marathon, including gratitude, passion, pride, dedication, inspired, drive, psyched, believe, heart, strength, glory and spirit.
"'Endurance' embodies the spirit of not only our runners, but the entire City of Boston," said Mayor Walsh. "The Marathon is a symbol of hope and joy; and now, more than ever, of strength and resilience. I thank John Hancock for their dedication and partnership to making this day a success in our city."
"We are especially grateful for the Boston Athletic Association and literally thousands of people who work to make the marathon what it is – and we think all involved should feel a collective sense of pride in what is truly a world class event," said James Gallagher, general counsel and chief administrative officer, John Hancock.
Each year, approximately 500 Marathon street banners line the streets of Boston, approximately one month prior to Patriot's Day. This year will be no different - until the weekend before the race when 26 banners on Boylston Street will be swapped out to feature designs created by individuals who have taken part in John Hancock's related social media campaign.
Through the campaign, individuals were invited to visit JHExtramile.com/runbold and create a personalized image of themselves on a digital banner featuring one of the banner theme words. From there, they could save the banner image for themselves or, if they wanted to enter it for consideration to appear on one of 26 banners, they could post it by March 21 on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook using the hashtag #RunBold.
About John Hancock and Manulife
John Hancock Financial 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 C$935 billion (US$676 billion) as at December 31, 2015. 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.
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SOURCE John Hancock Financial