Two Weeks 'Til Boston: Are you Ready?

Two weeks to go!  The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon and one of the most prestigious races in the world.  Even if you are not running the race this year, you’ll want to learn more about this historic event! For KT Tape fans, the most frequently asked question about the Boston Marathon is, “Will the KT Tape Team be at the Health and Fitness Expo?”  The answer is “YES!”  The Boston Marathon Expo is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before the race- and we will be there with free taping and demos!  Below are excerpts from some of the other Frequently Asked Questions about the Boston race from Runner’s World: When does the race start?  The 115th Boston Marathon gets underway on Monday, April 18, 2011 at 9:00 a.m., when the mobility impaired division racers depart Hopkinton. Then the wheelchair division athletes begin at 9:17 a.m. The elite women start at 9:32 a.m., followed by the elite men and wave 1 runners (red bibs) at 10:00 a.m. Wave 2 (white bibs) begins at 10:30 a.m. Finally, wave 3 (blue bibs) departs Hopkinton at 10:40 a.m. How do I get to the start?  The Boston Athletic Association suggests all racers use official B.A.A. buses to get to the start on race morning. Buses run between 6:00 and 7:30 a.m., loading on the Tremont Street side of Boston Common in the city's Back Bay area. It is recommended that runners board buses according to their bib numbers: Numbers 1,000-13,999 should load between 6:00 and 6:45 a.m., while bibs 14,000 and higher should begin boarding at 6:45 and be on board buses no later than 7:30 a.m.    What is the weather like, historically?  The weather can vary dramatically on race day. Cold, wind, and rain combined to slow runners in 2007, as a major storm moved through New England. In 2005, however, the temperature at the start was 70°F, with clear skies. On average, Boston experiences daytime highs in the mid-50s in April. How big is the field this year?  Race organizers have limited the field to 26,800 entrants. Registration for the 2010 Boston Marathon closed in only eight hours  Where can I find a map of the course?  You can view a course map here.  
  
What's the deal with the start corrals?  Corral placement is assigned according to bib numbers (based on qualifying time). Your starting corral is printed beneath your runner's number on your bib. You are only allowed to move back to a higher numbered corral; forward movement is prohibited. Where and when is the race expo?  The John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo will be held at the Hynes Memorial Convention Center in Boston. The expo is home to bib number and packet pick-up for all registered runners. There will be no race-day number distribution. Hours are as follows:  Friday, April 15... 2:00 p.m.—7:00 p.m., Saturday, April 16 ... 9:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m., Sunday, April 17 ... 9:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m. How many aid stations are along the course? Aid stations are located every mile, beginning with mile 2. Water and sports drink will be available at every aid station, as well as at the start and finish areas. PowerGel will be provided at mile 17.  
Can I run with an MP3 player, such as an iPod?  Although the B.A.A. discourages the use of personal music devices and headphones, they are allowed except for those athletes eligible for prize money.
How many medical tents are available to participants?  First aid and medical support is available approximately every mile of the course. In addition, a medical tent will be set up at the start and areas will be set up to provide medical support at the finish area. What are the best spots for spectators along the course?  Spectators may choose to view the race from locations along the course easily serviced by the MBTA subway or commuter rail lines. Common locations include Kenmore Square (one mile from the finish), Boston College (22nd mile), and Wellesley College (the race's midpoint). Are Porta-Potties available on the course?  Portable restrooms will be located each fluid and first aid stations, beginning at mile 2. What's the best way to reunite with my friends or family after the race?  A family meeting area will be set up near the finish, beginning on Stuart Street, continuing on Clarendon and finishing along St. James Avenue. Look for the large signs with letters corresponding to your designated meeting location. An alternative is to select a meeting location away from the crowded finish area. Who won the race last year, and in what time?  Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot of Kenya captured the men's race in a time of 2:05:52—a new course record; Ehtiopia's Teyba Erkesso finished first among women in 2:26:11. Will the race be broadcast?  Yes, the race will be shown nationally on Universal Sports, and in the Boston area on WBZ-TV, channel 4. Online, UniversalSports.com will have coverage of the race. Can my family and friends track me from home?  The B.A.A. will provide race splits at every 5 kilometers on its website. Family and friends visiting the website on race day can view your splits by entering your name or bib number. Also, AT&T Athlete Alert will let subscribers get text message alerts when a runner reaches the start, 10-K, half marathon, 30-K mark, and finish line of the race. To view Runner’s World complete list of Boston FAQs, click here.  To visit the Boston Marathon’s own FAQ site, click here.  Good luck with your last two weeks of race prep!

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