Nearly 24,662 runners hit the pavement Monday at the Boston Marathon, streaking past Hopkinton's starting line in what most are calling ideal 48-degree weather.
This stands in stark contrast to last year, where runners powered through 90-degree weather-many needed medical attention from heat stroke.
Runners that skipped the 2012 race in lieu of the excruciating heat were guaranteed entry this year-they topped out at about 2,300 people.
All were relieved to find the temperatures would stay in the mid-50s for the 117th annual run.
"We got a bye," race director Dave McGillivray told the Associated Press. "And that's good, because we need this year to regroup."
The run-which started in Hopkinton, Mass., ended in Copley Square in Boston- is 26.2 miles long, weaving runners through Ashland, Framingham, Natick and Wellesley. Check out the route map here.
Nine runners from East Africa led the pack during the first portion of the race. According to the Washington Times, Kenyan and Ethiopian runners won the men's title 23 times in the past 25 years, while women have also taken an impressive 14 of the last 16 titles.
The international talent showed up this year, including 2012 champions Wesley Korir and Sharon Cherop, both of Kenya. Korir, a University of Louisville graduate, won at two hours, 12 minutes and 4 seconds last year, the Washington Post reports.
The race began with a full 26 seconds of complete silence for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. At the Mile 26 mark, about two hours away from the starting line, lies a memorial for Newtown, Connecticut completely with a seal and dedication to honor the deceased.
Wheelchair competitors kicked off the race at 9:17 a.m., followed by the 51 women 15 minutes later. The men's group set off at 10 a.m. Three huge groups of the 27,000 other competitors left promptly after, on their way to Copley Square.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
