Charities have changed the way our sport operates.

In the US, charities in running events were a big concern in the 1970s and 1980s. During the 1980s, some runners and events reached out to charities and by the 1990s, events like the Rock N Roll series built events around the base of thousands of charities runners.

John Hancock provides a list of approved non-profit charities for fundraising. At @runblogrun, we like that. We do remember a simpler day, but we also appreciate that runners of this generation like to do more with their running, and that John Hancock and other organizations have reached out to provide runners with an approved list of charities makes lots of sense!

Happy finish at 2017 Boston, photo by PhotoRun.net

BOSTON, MA, September 21, 2017 — John Hancock, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon for more than 30 years, today named the organizations in its Non-Profit Program that will receive guaranteed race entries for the 2018 Boston Marathon. The organizations use these entries to recruit runners who will raise money on their behalf in advance of the 122^nd Marathon on April 16, 2018.

This year 131 organizations were allocated entries. A complete list is attached below.

“We take great pride in the significant community support we generate through our sponsorship of the Boston Marathon, and we’re pleased to partner with some of the most impactful community agencies and organizations in greater Boston,” said Tom Crohan, AVP & Counsel, John Hancock. “Our Non-Profit Program offers organizations a unique platform to raise money and awareness for their causes, and we look forward to another successful year.”

In 2017, runners with bibs obtained through John Hancock raised $12.3 million for their causes, with an average of $11,646 raised per bib in the Non-Profit Program.

Up to and including the 2017 race, the official Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) Charity Program and John Hancock’s Non-Profit Program have combined to raise more than $297 million for community-based organizations.

As part of John Hancock’s program, the company provides its non-profit partners with onsite informational sessions, runner recruitment best practices, fundraising support, and runner safety tips. John Hancock also is continuing to utilize a centralized online fundraising platform on CrowdRiseâ„¢, https://www.crowdrise.com/2018bostonmarathon, with reduced pricing for all of its partners.

In order to become a John Hancock Non-Profit Partner, organizations must demonstrate the capacity and infrastructure to support their runners in the fundraising and training efforts, and commit to raising a minimum of $5,000 for each invitational entry received through this exclusive program.

In 2018, employees of John Hancock and Manulife will raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Boston, the Ron Burton Training Village, and Easter Seals Camp Programs.

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John Hancock 2018 Boston Marathon Non-Profit Program Fundraising Partners

About John Hancock and Manulife

John Hancock is a division of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading international financial services group that helps people achieve their dreams and aspirations by putting customers’ needs first and providing the right advice and solutions. We operate as John Hancock in the United States, and Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were over $1 trillion (US$780 billion) as of June 30, 2017. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under 945 on the SEHK. Manulife can be found at manulife.com.

One of the largest life insurers in the United States, John Hancock supports approximately 10 million Americans with a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, college savings plans, and certain forms of business insurance. We also offer advice through Signator, a network of independent financial advisors. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.