LOS ANGELES MARATHON : One of Biggest Sponsors Still Has Not Been Replaced

The L.A. Marathon lost one of its biggest sponsors last week when John Hancock Financial Services announced it will not be renewing its contract, which expired Monday.

Race president William Burke said at the time that another major sponsor had been signed and the announcement would be made on race day. None was named, however, and on Monday, the day after the race, Burke said he expected to name the sponsor within two weeks.

Although John Hancock’s contract with the marathon was believed to be worth about $250,000 a year, Burke predicted there will be no financial loss to the race.

Many of the L.A. Marathon’s other sponsor contracts expire this year, and Burke said he hoped that all of them would renew their agreements. At least one did. Mercedes-Benz extended its contract for three more years, Burke said.

Burke also responded Monday to a complaint from second-place finisher Joseildo Rocha of Brazil. Rocha had said Sunday that three vehicles driving on the course between him and leader John Treacy prevented him from judging how far behind he was.

“I don’t see that as a legitimate complaint,” Burke said, adding that the streets are wide enough for any runner to see around cars.

It is not unusual for cars, trucks and even motorcycles be on a marathon course. Trucks carrying television cameras move alongside runners, and a pace car with a clock often leads the race. But it is unusual for vehicles to be in the center of the course, traveling between the runners.

The three vehicles that fell in line behind Treacy and in front of Rocha were a press photo truck, a sponsor car and a convertible carrying Burke.

Mark Plaatjes, who won the 1991 L.A. Marathon and was the elite-athlete coordinator for this year’s race, said he agreed that there were too many vehicles on the course Sunday.

“I don’t know what they were all doing,” he said.

Manny Wein, 89, who completed the L.A. Marathon in 1988, ’89 and ‘90, had to quit Sunday’s race after 19 miles because of blisters on his feet. “I couldn’t walk anymore,” he said. “I was in a lot of pain.”

On a busy sports day, the race received its worst television ratings. According to KCOP, which televised the marathon, the overnight Nielsen ratings were 7.0, with a 20 share.

There were 19,483 runners registered and 15,297 finished Sunday’s race, the most in its seven years.