Maratona: Tips for First-timers

"A marathon contains not only 26 miles of pavement, but also many precious moments. Bands. Balloons. Friends and total strangers cheering. Fellow runners with funny shirts. "Engage the crowd," suggests David R. Fried of White Plains, New York. "Spectators love to support runners who wave." For a first marathon, running a fast time is less important than having a good time."