BOSTON MARATHON – New book from Sports Publishing, a division of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., to be available on April 1 – Author John Hanc to make appearances on Boston Marathon® weekend.

BOSTON – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today announced that The B.A.A. at 125: The Official History Of The Boston Athletic Association will be available on Monday, April 1 on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and at select bookstores everywhere. The book is written by John Hanc and published by Sports Publishing, a division of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.

The B.A.A. at 125 is the story of the organization best known as the club responsible for the Boston Marathon®.  This year’s Boston Marathon is Monday, April 15, and the book also will be available at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo at the John B. Hynes Convention Center from Friday, April 12 through Sunday, April 14. During Boston Marathon® weekend, author John Hanc will make several special appearances at events surrounding the 117th running of the world’s oldest annual marathon. An avid runner, Hanc is participating in this year’s event.

A schedule of Hanc’s presentations to showcase the book is attached.

A special event to launch the book will take place in the Town of Hopkinton on Wednesday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. ET.  Held at the Hopkinton High School auditorium, an author signing and presentation will be followed by a dessert reception. Presented by the B.A.A., the 26.2 Foundation, and Wellesley Books, the event will also feature four-time Boston Marathon champion Bill Rodgers; Greg Meyer, 1983 Boston Marathon champion and the most recent American male to win the event; and Lisa Hughes, WBZ-TV news anchor. This event is open to the general public, but it is necessary to RSVP. Those interested in attending may RSVP by click the button below:

The B.A.A. will also feature Hanc at a media conference on Thursday, April 11 at 2:30 p.m. ET at the Fairmont Copley Plaza (Venetian Room), 138 St. James Avenue, Boston. Hanc will discuss The B.A.A. at 125 and the history and unique characteristics behind the organization responsible for the Boston Marathon. The event is for media only and requires a credential to attend.

Also, Hanc will give a presentation and lead several discussion sessions and conduct book signings in the Boston area from Friday, April 12 through Sunday, April 14. These events, listed below, are open to the general public.

The Boston Marathon is run through eight cities and towns, and the B.A.A. recently contributed a book to every middle school, high school and library on the 26.2-mile course.  In total, 133 books were contributed to the libraries and schools.

“The B.A.A. was founded as and remains a non-profit organization established to promote a healthy lifestyle and fitness through athletics, especially running events,” said Joann E. Flaminio, B.A.A. President.  “The B.A.A. at 125 creates an awareness of the important role the  B.A.A. and the Boston Marathon has played in the community and sports history.” 

The Sports Publishing title features more than 100 rare photos from the B.A.A. archives and recounts the history of the Boston Athletic Association, one of the oldest athletic clubs in America. Established in 1887, the B.A.A. created the Boston Marathon, fielded the first U.S. Olympic Team, was among the country’s first-ever health clubs, and helped spark the modern fitness movement.

Hanc is a long-time writer for Newsday, a contributing editor to Runner’s World, and an author of ten books, including his award-winning memoir on running the 2005 Antarctica Marathon, The Coolest Race on Earth (Chicago Review Press). The book also features a preface by Boston native and sports enthusiast Matt Damon.

The B.A.A. at 125 Book Tour – Schedule of Events
John Hanc will make several public appearances during Boston Marathon weekend to mark the general release of The B.A.A. at 125, available in select bookstores everywhere on April 1.

WHAT: The B.A.A. at 125 book signing and presentation
Presented by the B.A.A., 26.2 Foundation, and Wellesley Books
WHEN: Wednesday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. ET
WHERE: Hopkinton High School
90 Hayden Rowe Street
Hopkinton, MA 01748
WHY: To celebrate the 125th Anniversary year of the Boston Athletic Association and mark the general release of The B.A.A. at 125
WHO:  John Hanc, author of The B.A.A. at 125
Bill Rodgers, four-time Boston Marathon champion
Greg Meyer, 1983 Boston Marathon champion and most recent American male champion
Lisa Hughes, WBZ-TV news anchor

CONTACT: Deb Sundin, Manager, Wellesley Books
82 Central Street
Wellesley, MA 02482
781-431-1160; deb@wellesleybooks.com

Special Thanks: Tim Kilduff, Hopkinton High School, Hopkinton Revitalization Committee
This event is open to the general public but it is necessary to RSVP.

RSVP for event by clicking the button below:

WHAT: B.A.A. Media Conference
WHEN: Thursday, April 11 at 2:30 p.m. ET
WHERE: Fairmont Copley Plaza, Venetian Room
138 St. James Avenue
Boston, MA 02116
WHO:  Author John Hanc will discuss the book written in cooperation with the B.A.A. and which details the history and unique characteristics of the organization responsible for the Boston Marathon.
This event is for media and requires a media credential to attend.

COMPLETE LIST OF BOOK SIGNINGS AND DISCUSSIONS
All book signings and discussions are open to the general public.

WHAT: Book Discussion and Signing
WHEN: Friday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m. ET
WHERE: Harvard Coop
1400 Massachusetts Avenue at 18 Palmer Street
Cambridge, MA 02238
WHO:  Author John Hanc will discuss and sign copies of The B.A.A. at 125

WHAT: Book Signing 
WHEN: Saturday, April 13 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET
WHERE: John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo, Booth 2231
John B. Hynes Convention Center
900 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02115
WHO:  Author John Hanc will sign copies of The B.A.A. at 125

WHAT: Discussion Session
WHEN: Saturday, April 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. ET
WHERE: John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo, Booth Room 200
John B. Hynes Convention Center
900 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02115
WHO:  John Hanc, author of The B.A.A. at 125
Dave McGillivray, Boston Marathon Race Director

WHAT: Book Signing
WHEN: Saturday, April 13 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET
WHERE: John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo, Booth 2231
John B. Hynes Convention Center
900 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02115
WHO:  Author John Hanc will sign copies of The B.A.A. at 125

WHAT: Book Signing
WHEN: Sunday, April 14 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET
WHERE: John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo, Booth 2231
John B. Hynes Convention Center
900 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02115
WHO:  Author John Hanc will sign copies of The B.A.A. at 125

WHAT: Book Signing
WHEN: Sunday, April 14 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
WHERE: John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo, Booth 2231
John B. Hynes Convention Center
900 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02115
WHO:  Author John Hanc will sign copies of The B.A.A. at 125

WHAT: Discussion Session
WHEN: Sunday, April 14 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
WHERE: John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo, Room 200
John B. Hynes Convention Center
900 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02115
WHO:  Author John Hanc will hold a discussion session
Topic: “How the world’s oldest annual marathon got its start.”

WHAT: Book Signing
WHEN: Sunday, April 14 from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  ET
WHERE: John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo, Booth 2231
John B. Hynes Convention Center
900 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02115
WHO:  Author John Hanc will sign copies of The B.A.A. at 125