Editing Boston Marathon (section)

===Spectators===
With approximately 500,000 spectators, the Boston Marathon is [[New England]]'s most widely viewed sporting event.<ref name=facts/>  About 1,000 media members from more than 100 outlets received media credentials in 2011.<ref name=driven/>

For the entire distance of the race, thousands line the sides of the course to cheer the runners on, encourage them, and provide free water and snacks to the runners.