It Must Be Spring, Boston Marathon Goes on Display--Potholes and All

A 97-year-old tradition continues today, as the Boston Marathon is run over roads spotted with potholes caused by winter storms.

This annual 26.2-mile race from suburban Hopkinton, over undulating hills, to finish in the gritty streets of downtown Boston is that event that welcomes spring to this region.

The defending champions are here--Ibrahim Hussein of Kenya and Olga Markova of Russia; the women’s Olympic marathon gold medalist, Valentina Egorova, of Russia; and the men’s marathon world champion, Hiromi Taniguchi of Japan.

The two sentimental favorites are Joan Benoit Samuelson, who went to school in the Boston area, and Bill Rodgers, who has won Boston three times and has chosen this race as his last in the sport.