The sign at the starting line says it all - "It all starts here." Hopkinton's normally rural landscape is transformed for one day each year to the crowded epicenter of the marathon world. The number of runners descending on this location for the start of the race is more than the normal population of the town itself, which is around 14,000 people.

The starting line of the marathon is located (you guessed it) roughly 26 miles from Boston.

My experience with the first mile is that it can be difficult to avoid collisions. Men and women scramble to get ahead often cutting from side to side. Many people jump off the course to relieve themselves(yes in the first mile!) I personally run with my arms straight ahead to block people. Holding my elbows out to the side is helpful at times. YOU MUST SAVE YOURSELF!!! :) Remember....have fun and you have enough miles to make up any lost time. Just as important, here are the start times:

• Mobility Impaired Division start time: 9:00 a.m.
• Wheelchair Division start time: 9:25 a.m.
• Elite Women's start time: 9:35 a.m.
• Elite Men's and Wave 1 start time: 10:00 a.m.
• Wave 2 start time: 10:30 a.m.

The ONLY guaranteed way to get to the start on race morning is by the official B.A.A. buses between 6:00 and 7:30 a.m. Bus loading will take place at the Tremont Street side of the Boston Common in Boston’s Back Bay area. In order to load all the buses efficiently, avoid delays and get to the start on time, we strongly recommend the following bus loading schedule:

• 6:00 a.m.–6:45 a.m. Bib #’s 1,000–13,999
• 6:45 a.m.–7:30 a.m. Bib #’s 14,000+

If you've watched the marathon from this mile before and have information that other spectators might find useful, then click of the "change" button and share your firsthand knowledge of neighborhood around this spot on the course. Replace this text with your tips.