Boston Marathon 2019: Top Men And Women, Celebrities To Watch

BOSTON — Regardless of the weather, Marathon Monday is a day where everyone is cheers. It doesn't matter if you know them or not, you can walk up to that metal barrier and know that encouraging a runner as they make their way along the 26.2 mile course, it will make a difference. If you don't happen to know one of the 30,000 runners personally and want someone to look out for, or if you're wondering which celebs are running, we've got you covered.

Many people will have their names written on their shirts or on their arms, so watch for that, there's nothing like hearing someone call your name as you run along the route.

Over the years there have been quite a few famous people who run Boston. Here are a few of the familiar faces to look out for along the course, and their bib numbers this year:

• Tedy Bruschi, former Pat's linebacker is running for stroke awareness - 5454
• Palak Patel, a winner of the TV show "Chopped" - 30206
• Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR driver - 4848
• Shawn Johnson East, Olympic gold medal gymnast - 31357
• Andrew East, NFL athlete Shawn Johnson's husband. - 31356
• Bill Evans, former Boston police commissioner - 7671
• Joan Benoit Samuelson, the 1984 Olympic gold medalist, is celebrating the 40th anniversary of her 1979 victory here - 1979

And then there are all the famous elite runners to keep an eye out for. There are 82 elite runners, including Olympians running today. You can recognize them because they run with names on their bib.

Desiree Linden who became the first American woman to win the 26.2-mile race in 33 years and American Sarah Sellers (F42) who came in second as a big surprise, will be back on the route. MA native Shalane Flanagan, the four-time Olympian and 2017 New York City Marathon winner, is out this year.

Keep an eye out for Americans Jordan Hasay (who was third at Boston in 2017), Sally Kipyego and Sara Hall (who had to scratch last year because of injury).

Top elite women to watch?

• Worknesh Degefa, from Ethiopia
• Des Linden, Michigan, came in first in 2018 - F8
• Edna Kiplagat came in first 2017
• Meskerem Assefa, Ethiopia
• Jordan Hasay, California (she came in third in 2017)

Top elite men to watch?

(Top American men to watch for: Dathan Ritzenhein, Abdi Abdirahman, Jeffrey Eggleston, Jared Ward and Elkanah Kibet)

Got someone else you want to track? Here's How To Track A Runner. Search the BAA’s entry list for your runners’ bib numbers.

Read up:

• Boston Marathon 2019: What Time It Starts, How Fast, Weather & More
• Where To Eat In Brookline On Marathon Monday 2019
• How To Track A Runner << MOST POPULAR
• Boston Marathon Adds Fan Fest For 2019
• NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson To Run Boston 2019
• Boston Marathon 2019: Security, What Not To Bring
• Boston Marathon 2019: How To Watch Live Stream, Or On TV
• Boston Marathon 2019: Results, Leaderboard, Winners

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).