Boston Marathon Features 12 Bedford Runners

The 117th annual Boston Marathon kicks off this morning, taking runners through the course that threads from the Hopkinton starting line to Boston.

For runners of all ages and levels, this year's forecast of temperatures in the mid-50s poses a much-better prospect than in 2012 when temperatures climbed into the 90s. Thousands of people who'd spent months training either ran and did not finish, or took Boston Athletic Association up on an unprecedented offer to defer their coveted and difficult to get race entry to 2013. Those who deferred still had to pay the entry fee into 2013, but they were guaranteed a spot in this year's event.

As it states on the official website, "the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world's most prestigious road racing events. The Boston Athletic Association manages this American classic, which is sponsored by John Hancock Financial Services. The Boston Marathon has distinguished itself as the pinnacle event within the sport of road racing by virtue of its traditions, longevity and method of gaining entry into the race (via qualification)."

So who's running from Bedfrod? Here is the list, as posted on the Boston Marathon site:

• Arnold F. Paul, Jr., 46
• Raymond G. Brouillette, 51
• Michelle S. Collier, 48
• Ronald H. Gagnon, 56
• Stephen U. Hanlon, 45
• Sheila G. Jacks, 46
• JD Lavallee, 25
• Haley Lydstone, 23
• Stacy L. McConnell, 31
• William Nawn, 49
• John Santos, 43
• Doug J. Wenners, 43

Want to follow your friends and see how they are doing? Text RUNNER to 345678 to get alerts when they cross the 10K, 1/2 marathon, 30K and finish line.

Headed into Boston for the marathon? Download the Boston Athletic Association's mobile app foriPhone or Android, and track runners, learn more about elite finishers, find official marathon events on the map, get a glimpse at the course and more.

Runners will take their marks mid-morning, with the wave starts as follows:

If you have any words of encouragement to the Bedford residents running the Boston Marathon this year, you can put them in the comments section below.

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