World Premiere of BOSTON set for One Boston Day, April 15, 2017

BOSTON, Jan. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock Financial the title sponsor of BOSTON, the first feature-length documentary film about the history of the iconic Boston Marathon, announced today it will partner with the Boston Athletic Association and WBZ-TV to sponsor the World Premiere of the film on April 15, 2017, at the Boch Center Wang Theatre. The special performance of the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra is underwritten by Owsley Brown Presents, in partnership with Worth Miller Productions. Additional sponsors of the Premiere include Clif Bar and Company and Poland Spring.

In honor of One Boston Day, this World Premiere event is partnering with the Martin Richard Foundation, with a portion of every ticket sold going to support Martin's Park. Martin's Park is named in honor of Martin Richard, who was eight years old when he was tragically killed on April 15, 2013 on Boylston Street. Martin's Park is set to be built in Boston along the Fort Point Channel in 2017. It will be universally accessible to families and visitors of all abilities. 

"The Boston Marathon is like no other event in the world, and to have its history captured through this type of exclusive documentary is extraordinary," said Mayor Martin Walsh. "While Boston is a special place, our people make it even more exceptional – the sponsors and attendees of this event exemplify the generosity of our city and its commitment to memorialize the acts of kindness, peace and hope that have come to embody the spirit of the Boston Marathon and our city's resilience. I'm especially grateful that Martin's Park will be a beneficiary of the World Premiere event"

Directed by award winning filmmaker/marathoner Jon Dunham, well known for his Spirit of the Marathon documentaries, produced by Academy Award nominee Megan Williams, and executive produced by Academy Award nominee Frank Marshall, BOSTON is a presentation of John Hancock Financial in association with The Kennedy/Marshall Company. The film chronicles the celebrated history of the Boston Marathon, from its origins in 1897 through 2014's triumphant race, and features many of the greatest marathoners ever to have run over the Hopkinton to Boston route.

Dunham and Williams were granted exclusive documentary rights from the Boston Athletic Association to produce the film and to use the Association's extensive archive of video, photos and memorabilia.

"In choosing a filmmaker for the first-ever documentary of the Boston Marathon, we wanted to be sure the spirit of the event, and some of its most historic, memorable, and inspiring moments, would be shown in a meaningful and accurate way," said B.A.A. Chief Executive Officer Tom Grilk. "We're very pleased with the thorough work Jon and Megan have put forth and we're excited to see the finished product."

"This has been an incredibly special film to make," said Dunham. "I am honored to have been entrusted with telling this epic story. We look forward to this very special premiere event and to sharing BOSTON with the world."

"BOSTON – The World Premiere" a live show hosted by WBZ-TV, a sponsoring partner of the event, will air 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. from the Boch Center Wang Theatre with anchors Lisa Hughes and David Wade. The show will highlight both live and pre-produced pieces that showcase some of the film's storylines. The anchors will capture the excitement of the event as celebrity guests and Boston Marathon legends arrive to meet attendees.

"WBZ-TV is thrilled to support their invaluable partner, John Hancock with BOSTON, the first documentary film about the history of the Boston Marathon," said Mark Lund, President and General Manager of CBS Boston's WBZ-TV and WSBK-TV. "WBZ-TV has been carrying the Boston Athletic Association's iconic Boston Marathon in its entirety for the last 33-years, the only station to have aired 33-years of complete, live, local coverage of the region's most prestigious sporting events, said Lund. "We are honored to help share BOSTON with the world."

John Hancock Financial is the title sponsor of the film and a sponsor of the World Premiere. The company has been the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon for the past 32 years. "We are proud to sponsor a film that captures all the extraordinary moments that have made the Boston Marathon the world's most admired race for more than a century and to support Martin's Park through the Premiere," said Robert Friedman, head of Sponsorship and Event Marketing at John Hancock. "The Boston Marathon belongs to all of us and whether you are a runner determined to cross the finish line, or a fan, volunteer or organizer supporting this event, you know the legacy of this race inspires us to be our best both on and off the roads. Attending the World Premiere of BOSTON will be an emotional journey, well worth the taking."

Tickets for the World Premiere are limited and will be available on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 10:00AM at bochcenter.org, by calling 800-982-2787, or by visiting the Boch Center Box Office (270 Tremont Street, Boston, MA).

Attendees of the World Premiere of BOSTON and those not able to attend are welcome to make additional donations to Martin's Park by visiting  https://www.crowdrise.com/martins-park

To view a highlight clip of the film, please click here → BOSTON 60 Second Teaser Trailer

About John Hancock Financial 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, the 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 $966 billion (US $736 billion) as at September 30, 2016. 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, retirement plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

About the Boston Athletic Association
Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.'s 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 Abbott World Marathon Majors, along with international marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. More than 60,000 runners will participate in B.A.A. events in 2017. The 121st Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 17, 2017. For more information on the B.A.A., please visit www.baa.org.

About Boston's WBZ-TV
Boston's WBZ-TV and sister-station myTV38 (WSBK-TV) are part of CBS Television Stations, a division of CBS Corporation.  For more, go to www.cbsboston.com, like us on Facebook at CBS Boston and follow us on Twitter @CBSBoston.

SOURCE John Hancock Financial

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