Boston Marathon 2015 – Meb Keflezighi, Bill Rodgers help Mayor and John Hancock Unveil 2015 Boston Marathon Street Banners

BOSTON  (March 19, 2015)- In a brief program on Boylston Street this morning, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, 2014 Boston Marathon champion Meb Keflezighi and four-time Boston Marathon champion Bill Rodgers helped race sponsor John Hancock reveal its 2015 Boston Marathon street banners and mark 30 years as principal sponsor of the race.

Each year, approximately 500 banners are hung in Boston, usually a month prior to the race until about a week following the event.

The banners' theme of "There's Only One Boston," celebrates the unique spirit of the race and the city. The banners themselves feature images representing several marathon communities — including elite athletes, qualifying runners, non-profit runners, push rim competitors, volunteers and fans — as well as facts about the city and Boston Marathon, highlighting the history and legacy of the race.

"I am proud to help unveil this year's Boston Marathon banners, honoring our City's resilience and spirit," said Mayor Walsh. "This year's marathon will once again unite Boston as the strong community we are."

"There is only one Boston Marathon and as we witnessed last year, we are stronger than ever before," said James Gallagher, general counsel and chief administrative officer, John Hancock. "The Boston Marathon is built on a foundation of courage, determination and strength of literally hundreds of thousands of people…runners, spectators, volunteers, organizers, public safety and community officials. Our collective participation in the Boston Marathon each year demonstrates that our determination to overcome challenges knows no bounds."

In celebration of the special history that surrounds the Boston Marathon, John Hancock is creating a digital time capsule, encouraging users to be part of the legacy by using #WeRunTogether to submit photos, videos and stories via Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. For each submission John Hancock will donate $1 to the Boys & Girls Club of Boston, up to $26,200.

The time capsule opens today on JHExtramile.com and will live on to capture memories in the weeks following the 2015 Boston Marathon. In conjunction with the time capsule initiative and the company's 30th year of principal sponsorship, John Hancock will be highlighting 30 of the most inspirational stories on Facebook and Twitter beginning tomorrow and continuing, daily, through Marathon Monday, April 20.

Source: John Hancock Date: March 19, 2015