Where Your Dreams Become Reality
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Where Your Dreams Become Reality |
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Boston Marathon Raises Prize Money Feb 15, 2005 By David Monti (c) 2005 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved John Hancock Financial Services, the primary sponsor of the BAA Boston Marathon, announced today that they were increasing their overall prize money purse for the 2005 edition of the race to $575,000 and that the male and female race winners would be paid $100,000. "The Boston Marathon is the oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the most prestigious road racing events in the world," James M. Benson, President and CEO of John Hancock Life Insurance Company said in a press statement. "By increasing the prize money we are helping to ensure that this quality race will continue to feature a diverse and world-renowned field of athletes from across the globe." In last year's race the winners received $80,000. The announcement seemed oddly timed because recruiting for the race would be nearly concluded by now. Boston, which for years had been the world's premier spring marathon, has been upstaged by the financial might of the Flora London Marathon which has grown significantly in importance over the last five years, boasting both high quality fields and world records. London's field this year, featuring Evans Rutto, Paul Tergat, Stefano Baldini, Meb Keflezighi, Paula Radcliffe, Haile Gebrselassie, and Khalid Khannouchi, amongst others, has been widely hailed as the best commercial marathon, ever. Nonetheless, the announcement will probably come as welcome news to critics of the Boston Marathon who have said that the race has been slow to react to London's competitive threat. "We are extremely pleased that John Hancock has announced they will increase the prize money for the 2005 Boston Marathon," said Guy Morse, Executive Director, Boston Athletic Association. The BAA actually owns and operates the marathon while Hancock provides the financial muscle behind the elite field and handles the recruiting. "Since John Hancock became principal sponsor 20 years ago, the marathon has maintained its world class status and ensured that the top runners compete in the oldest annual race," continued Morse. Boston joins the ING New York City Marathon with a $100,000 first prize. The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon paid $125,000 to their race winner last year, the highest first place prize in the world. London, which relies almost exclusively on large appearance fees and private bonuses, only paid $55,000 to the winners last year in straight prize money. The BAA Boston Marathon will be held on Patriots Day, a holiday in the state of Massachusetts, on Monday, April 18. The Flora London Marathon will be held the day before.
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Cross Country Spikes 10% off Injured?
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