John Hancock to stop sponsoring Boston Marathon: ‘We’re excited to find our next Boston Marathon principal sponsor’

That classic cursive signature from a Founding Father will no longer be spotted all along the Boston Marathon route in future years.

John Hancock, which has sponsored the iconic marathon for 37 years, has announced that it will stop sponsoring the Boston Marathon after the April 2023 race.

“Our contract with the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) was expiring in 2023 and after careful review we have chosen not to renew our principal sponsorship of the Boston Marathon after next year’s race,” John Hancock said in a statement.

“We are honored to have served as a steward for this historic race and thank the B.A.A. for their continued partnership over the years,” the life insurance company added. “We are looking forward to the 2023 race as principal sponsor and will work with the B.A.A. to ensure a smooth transition to its next partner.”

The B.A.A. on Thursday sent out a press release about the B.A.A.’s Official Charity Program for next year’s race. A total of $35.6 million was raised through the B.A.A. Official Charity Program and John Hancock Non-Profit Program surrounding the 2022 race, the association noted.

The B.A.A. Official Charity Program and the John Hancock Non-Profit Program have combined to raise more than $460 million since the charity program’s inception at the 1989 Boston Marathon.

“John Hancock has served as principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon for nearly four decades, helping to make the Boston Marathon the global and iconic race it is today,” Scott Stover, the B.A.A.’s director of Marketing and Sponsorships, said in a statement. “Together with the B.A.A., John Hancock has helped elevate all aspects of our event, from world-class professional athletes to fundraising for hundreds of non-profit programs. The B.A.A. thanks John Hancock for 37 years of partnership, and we continue to work hand in hand in advance of next April’s 127th Boston Marathon.

“At the B.A.A., our commitment to expanding events and creating more running opportunities has never been greater,” Stover added.

“We’re excited to find our next Boston Marathon principal sponsor, and look forward to partnering with an organization who shares our passion for athletic excellence, community engagement, and growing the Boston Marathon to new heights. For 126 years, the Boston Marathon has been the world’s preeminent and most historic marathon. We’re enthusiastically eager to embark on the next generation of Boston Marathon partnership.”