B.A.A. Renews Financial
Commitment to Boston
Marathon® Host Communities, providing $2.7 Million from
2013-Û÷15
Three-Year, Increased Contribution
to MarathonÛªs Eight
Cities and Towns and
Commonwealth Recognizes Support
BOSTON ÛÒ The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.)
today announced its renewed financial commitment to the eight host cities and
towns of the historic Boston Marathon® course. The B.A.A. has pledged
its financial support over a three-year term from 2013 through 2015, with contributions
increasing annually.
The total contribution in 2013 of
$858,000 reflects an increase from last year of nearly seven percent. Over the
next three years, the B.A.A. will make a $2.7 million contribution to the eight
cities and towns and the Commonwealth. The B.A.A.Ûªs financial support of
the host communities of the Boston Marathon reflects its appreciation for
successful cooperation with the Marathon
communities in hosting the worldÛªs most prestigious marathon.
Through the strong support of John
Hancock Financial Services, principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon since 1986,
the B.A.A. has made financial contributions to the marathonÛªs host
communities. The financial commitment continues in recognition of the
expenses for logistical, operational and administrative course support provided
for the towns of Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, and Brookline,
the cities of Newton and Boston,
and the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts. This
year (2013) marks the 28th consecutive year of John Hancock
FinancialÛªs landmark principal sponsorship of the Boston Marathon.
ÛÏWe are appreciative of the
enthusiastic support that we receive from the host communities along the Boston
Marathon course, and we are pleased to make this three-year financial commitment,Û
said Tom Grilk, B.A.A. Executive Director. ÛÏThrough careful planning, and
with the cooperation of these communities and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
we are able to showcase the worldÛªs oldest annual marathon with great
pride. With the gracious support of the Boston Marathon’s principal sponsor
John Hancock Financial Services, we’ll continue to support the Marathon communities. It also remains our hope that some
funds from our donation be directed towards youth and community programs
whenever and wherever possible.Û
The distribution takes into account
the location of each city or town along the course, the impact of the Marathon in the community, and the planning associated
with the race. The Boston Marathon is a 26.2-mile, point-to-point course
which begins in Hopkinton adjacent to the Town Common and finishes on Boylston Street in
front of the Boston Public Library near Copley Square in Back Bay.
Last year, the Greater Boston
Convention and Visitors Bureau estimated the economic impact of Boston
Marathon® weekend at approximately $137 million. In addition, dozens
of local charitable organizations benefit through their own fund raising
efforts at the Boston Marathon each year with entry made possible by the Boston
Athletic Association and John Hancock Financial. More than $18 million is
estimated to be raised in 2013.
As an example of the cooperation
received for the Boston Marathon, last year residents and representatives from
the eight cities and towns along with the Commonwealth added significant
resources in a variety of forms to benefit runners who were participating under
unseasonably warm weather conditions.
The B.A.A. recognizes the host
communities in other ways throughout the year, including an allocation of
entries into the Boston Marathon which may be used for fund raising and the
B.A.A. Invitational Mile/Middle School 1000 meter races held the day before the
Boston Marathon. The B.A.A. Mile/Middle School 1000 meters features youths
exclusively from the eight cities and towns of the Boston Marathon course and
is held on Boston Marathon weekend. The one-mile race offers these high school
runners a chance to compete on the same course was world class athletes.
About the Boston Athletic
Association (B.A.A.)
Established
in 1887 and now in its 125th Anniversary year, the Boston
Athletic
Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of managing
athletic
events and promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially
running.
The B.A.A.Ûªs Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon, and
the organization manages other local events and supports comprehensive
charity,
youth, and year-round running programs. Since 1986, the principal
sponsor of
the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock Financial. The Boston Marathon
is
part of the World Marathon Majors, along with the international
marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. The
117th
Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 15, 2013. Nearly 50,000
runners
will participate in B.A.A. events in 2013.