The starting times for the competitors will be as follows:

Race Day Responsibilities:

Please note that for the 2004 Boston Marathon only the 5M, 10M, 15M, 20M and 25M checkpoints are requested to call in the information below. All 5K and Half Marathon data will be collected through the timing mats. However, in case of a technical failure, the operator in the press room may call any 5K or Half Marathon checkpoint to request the data and each team captain should be prepared to provide the recorded information.

Read attached instructions and:

When arriving at the checkpoint location, the team captain should call one of the above numbers to test that the cell location is working, and to report any difficulties and/or irregularities at the location. You will also be receiving a test call from the pressroom prior to the race start. Note: If it absolutely impossible to get through on any of the above lines because of busy signals, please call the information in to (617) 375-9850.

Note: The team captain may fax all information to the BAA on race day to fax number (617) 236-4505. Original recording sheets telephones and transistor radios should also be returned to the office as soon as possible after the race.

We appreciate you sharing your enthusiasm and time again with us this year. Your help and expertise at these checkpoints is vitally important. On behalf of the Boston Athletic Association, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

After recording the top 15 numbers, hand the sheet to your team captain and continue recording through the 100th runner. For wheelchairs record top five men and five women only, then give to your team captain. Note: should several of the top 15 athletes be running in a pack (a close group with three or more runners beside and/or behind each other, sometimes obscuring each others number), record them as accurately in order as you can, and note that they are "in a pack". Do not leave out any numbers if possible.

After recording the top 15 times, hand the sheet to your team captain and start recording "select times", i.e., write down the number of a runner coming up to your checkpoint, then add the time when he passes the checkpoint (again, one person calls, the second person writes). Record as many as possible, every fifth or sixth number would be great. For wheelchairs record top five men and five women only, then give to your team captain

After 1:15 p.m. (real time) men’s information may also be called in on the men’s wheelchair telephone number (617-375-9853), and women’s information on the women’s wheelchair number (617-375-9854). Please make sure to identify that you are calling in information on the OPEN race, NOT the wheelchair race.

When calling in please state the following:

Please note that for the 2004 Boston Marathon the 5M, 10M, 15M, 20M and 25M checkpoints are requested to call in the information above. All 5K and Half Marathon data will be collected through the timing mats. However, in the case of a technical failure, the operator in the press room may call any 5K checkpoint (or the Half Marathon checkpoint) to request the data and each team captain should be prepared to provide the recorded information.

Numbers on front and back are worn by:

NOTE: We have done our best to assign all top athletes within the above number breakdown, however, late entries in any of the above divisions may be numbered between 1000 and 1999, or higher. Please record full number. All numbers have a yellow background!

All wheelchair numbers start with a W, which is already filled in on your checkpoint sheets. For your information Quad Class athlete numbers have a blue background, however they are anticipated to be farther back in the field and as such would not have to be recorded.

NOTE: Wheelchair athletes will also have the digits of their bib number displayed on their helmets: in front of the helmet (when the athlete is in "tuck "or "racing" position) and on the right and left side of the helmet! The digits will also be posted on the frame of the chair, just in front of the right wheel (visible from the side). The wheelchair women's helmet and chair numbers also will have a pink background.

All bibs display B.A.A. at the top, and 2004 BOSTON MARATHON name and blue logo at the bottom. All official numbers this year have either a blue or pink background – this is different from previous years.

Also, see the 2004 Elite Field List below.

Map showing approximate location of 10-kilometer checkpoint

Location: The 10K (6.21 mi.) checkpoint is in Framingham on Waverly St. on right side 35 ft. after pole 67X at the Pão Brasil Bakery Inc. (formerly Stephanini Baking Co. ) , 586 Waverly St. This area is built up and has several business. Click on the map above to view.

I captured these images of the 10-kilometer checkpoint location five days before the marathon. The 10K was painted in yellow on the road. Click on the images to enlarge.

The checkpoint is on Waverly St (Rte. 135) in Framingham. It's east of the intersections of Mellen/Waverly and Fountain/Waverly.

The checkpoint is in front of the Pão Brasil Bakery at 586 Waverly St.

Looking east on Waverly toward the checkpoint.

Looking west on Waverly toward the checkpoint.

Driving: To drive to the checkpoint from Route 9, exit at Union St and head south. You'll pass a monument of a soldier and then Bowditch Field on your left. At the next traffic light, turn right onto Buckminster St. Buckminster becomes Mt. Wayte Ave. You'll pass the Perini Corp on your right. At the next traffic light, head straight across. You'll pass a Shell gas station and a Dunkin Donuts on your left. Cross the railroad track. You'll see the WKOX radio and Juvenile Trial Court on your left.

Continue on Mt. Wayte Ave and turn left onto Dudley Road. You'll pass the dump on your left and the Barbieri Elementary School and Edward E. Loring Arena is your left. Turn left on Fountain St., then left onto Waverly St (Route 135.) You'll see Stilton Glass on your right and Long Cadillac on your left. The checkpoint is just a few feet ahead at the Pão Brasil Bakery.

Parking: The checkpoint will be closed to vehicular traffic until the nearly all of the runners pass. You may want to park your vehicle on Fountain St. There is a large parking lot at the Edward E. Loring skating arena is located 6/10 mile away at 165 Fountain St.

Map showing approximate location of 15-kilometer checkpoint

Location: The 15K (9.32 mi.) checkpoint is in Natick on Central St. by guard rail and lake. Point is on right side 29 ft. before pole 196-50 on left side. There is small parking lot on Central Street at "Middlesex Path." The 15K is at the west entrance of that parking lot. Click on the map above to view details.

I captured these images of the 15-kilometer checkpoint location five days before the marathon. The 15K was painted in yellow on the road. Click on the images to enlarge.

The 15k is at the west entrance of the Middlesex Path parking lot on W. Central St. (Rte. 135) in Natick.

Looking east on W. Central St, toward the orange cone at the 15k.

Looking west on W. Central St, toward the 15k.

Driving: To drive to the checkpoint from Route 9, take Route 27, south (toward Natick Center) and turn right on Central Street (Route 135.) Continue west on Central for 9/10 mile. Look for the parking area on your right with a sign for "Middlesex Path."

Parking: Since vehicular traffic will be restricted on Marathon Monday. You may be able to park at the lot at Middlesex Path at 10 a.m.. However, you will need to wait before the timing mats are pulled up and the roads open. The busy Speen Street is located 0.6 miles east, and the residential Washington Street is 0.7 miles west of the checkpoint. It may be best to park off Washington St.

Map showing approximate location of 20-mile checkpoint

Location: The 20-mile checkpoint is in Newton on Commonwealth Ave. E of Centre St., opposite E end of front door to residence #615 on left, 20 ft. 3 in. after east edge of B E Co. road cover, 13 ft. before leading edge of single car garage on right, and 40 ft. 4 in. before pedestrian warning sign on right. Click on the map above to view details.

I captured these images of the 20-mile checkpoint location one week before the marathon. The 20M was painted in yellow on the road. Click on the images to enlarge.

The 20m checkpoint is just east of the intersection of Commonwealth Ave. and Centre St. in Newton.

Looking west from the 20m checkpoint

The orange cone is on the right side of Commonwealth Ave. The green house across the street is #615 Commonwealth Ave.

L ooking east toward the 20M checkpoint.

Driving: To drive to the checkpoint from Route 128, take Route 9 east, (toward Boston). You'll pass the Elliott MBTA stop. You'll pass the Getty Gas, Dunkin Donuts, Speedy Muffler shop on your right. Look for the exit to Centre Street on your right and take that exit. It'll pass under Route 9. Stay on Centre St for 1.5 miles. Take a right onto Commonwealth Ave. The 20M is on Commonwealth Ave. It's less than 1/10 mile from the intersection of Centre St. and Commonwealth Ave.

Parking: The 20-mile checkpoint is less than 3/4 miles from the Newton Centre stop on the MBTA (Green) D-Line. If you are going to drive, I would recommend approaching from Route 9, which is south of Commonwealth Ave., and park on Rice or Sumner Streets.