Benefits of the staggered starts range from giving more individual attention to the women racers, to protecting the lawns of Hopkinton residents along the course.

This year, a number of elite female runners will also be competing in a sort of “race-within-a-race,” as the Boston Marathon hosts the U.S.A. Women’s Marathon Championship. The race features a separate U.S.-only prize purse awarded to the top finishers. 

THIS YEAR'S FAVORITES
Since 1991, only one Boston Marathon men’s winner (Lee Bong-Ju of Korea in 2001) has not been from the continent of Africa, and this year’s field could easily produce another African champion. The men’s field in 2007 is led by defending champion Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot of Kenya, looking to become the first back-to-back men’s winner since Kenyan Cosmas Ndeti (1993–1995). Cheruiyot faces a pretty open field of competitors, with 8 of last year’s 10 top-ranked runners not entered this year. The top challengers are expected to be 2006 runner-up Benjamin Maiyo of Kenya, 2005 champion Hailu Negussie of Ethiopia and Kenyan Robert Cheboror.

Defending women’s champ Rita Jeptoo of Kenya will also be back to try and retain her title, and she’ll be pressed by top female runners like last year’s runner-up Jelena Prokopcuka of Latavia, fellow Kenyan Alice Chelangat and hometown hero Deena Kastor of Waltham, Mass.—who’s looking to become the first American women’s champion since Lisa Larsen-Weidenbach in 1985.

Party like a Champion
While thousands of devoted athletes spend their whole year training for a grueling 26-mile run, there’s thousands more who spend the entire year training their livers for Patriots’ Day. If the extent of your personal goals is to have one heck of a party while the runners go by, here’s a few suggestions where to get wild in the midst of it all.

LIR, 903 Boylston St., 617-778-0089. This Irish pub located literally yards away from the finish line figures to be a popular vantage point for Marathon watchers all day long. The bar’s non-inclusive cover charge for the day is $20, but the Boston Young Professionals Association is hosting their own event at Lir on a private level of the bar—$35 gets you in, as well as two complimentary drinks and complimentary hot and cold appetizers. (Visit www.bostonypa.com for details.)

CHEERS, 84 Beacon St., 617-227-9605. If you’re going to enjoy the quintessential Boston sporting event, you might as well do it in the quintessential Boston bar. Located two streets away from the Marathon’s home stretch, Cheers’ happy hour— featuring half-price appetizers at the bar—begins at 4 p.m., just as the majority of the non-elite racers struggle across the finish line.

GREAT SCOTT, 1222 Commonwealth Ave., Allston, 617-566-9014. If you’ve just run 26 miles, an evening of rock ’n’ roll is probably the last thing on your mind. However, if the most strenuous thing you’ve done all day is watch the race, you’re in fine shape for Great Scott’s third annual Patriots’ Day Blowout. Local rockers Jesse Malin, Eli “Paperboy” Reed, Jake Brennan and the estimable DJ Carbo provide the tunes.

FOUNDATION LOUNGE, 500 Commonwealth Ave., Hotel Commonwealth, 617-859-9900. Foundation Lounge is sure to be hopping throughout the day and night of April 16. However, with its Euro-Asian vibe and upscale feel, it stands as a nice alternative to the sports-pub vibe found in the area, perfect for a cool, laid-back evening of Zensai appetizers and exotic cocktails.

> The B.A.A. Freedom Run offers runners and their friends a 2.8-mile warm-up course that winds through scenic Boston neighborhoods, April 15 starting at 8 a.m. from Copley Square Park.

> The annual Pre-Race Pasta Dinner takes place April 15 from 4:30–9 p.m. at City Hall Plaza. This year, entertainment is being provided by the Big Apple Circus, set up under the Big Top at the Plaza.

> The Post-Race Dance Party caps off the big weekend with a celebration showcasing video highlights of the race April 17 from 7:30 p.m.–1:30 a.m. at The Roxy and Pure nightclubs, 279 Tremont St.

MARATHON GOES INTERGALACTIC: There’s long-distance running, and then there’s what U.S. astronaut Sunita Williams (pictured) is doing. The Needham, Mass. native—who qualified for the Boston Marathon by running last year's Houston Marathon in 3:29:57—will be running the Boston race on a treadmill from her current vantage point aboard the International Space Station while her sister, Dina Pandya, runs the actual race down on earth. Now, since zero gravity would give Williams something of an unfair advantage, it’s unknown whether her time will be considered official: however, her Boston Athletic Association bib number and runner’s medal will be official enough—and will be delivered to Williams via space shuttle as she completes her six-month stint in space.