5 Things You Need to Know Today: April 16

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations.

1. If you're planning on driving anywhere near the marathon be sure to get there early. Parking will be prohibited on all public ways in the Town of Hopkinton from 5 a.m. until 1 p.m. unless the vehicles have a permit issued by the . The prohibition will be enforced only on public ways critical to supporting the start of the race. The Hopkinton Police Department will close the roads in Hopkinton at 7:30 a.m. today and will re-open the roads as soon as possible, but no later than 1:00 p.m.

2. Starting at 7 a.m. we will have a live blog featured on the site. We'll be updating with the times of Hopkinton runners as they cross various distance marks. We will also be uploading pictures from the starting line and the 

3. Marathon fans who want to track the progress of their friends and family, or their favorite elite runner, can get updates sent to their mobile phone or email, in real-time. The program is designed to help friends and family across the country follow the progress of registered Boston Marathon runners in real time. To sign up, text RUNNER to 345678 and get signed up to receive course updates on your runner. AT&T is providing registration via mobile phone throughout the marathon duration. Updates will be sent when your runner reaches the start, 10K, half marathon, 30K mark, and from the finish line. Normal text message rates apply. Friends and family can also cheer on their runner with AT&T’s Text 2 Screen. Just text a message to 567890 and your message will appear on screens along the course and at the finish line.

4. Want to know your favorite runners bib number?

5. To everyone who is running today, Hopkinton residents and otherwise, we want to wish you the best of luck. Be careful with the extremely high temperatures that have been forecast for today.