Emotional support is invaluable to runners, especially late in the race when the physical resources are flagging. The apex of assistance comes at the halfway mark, where Wellesley College coeds annually scream their lungs out for each and every participant. Mason advises caution here however. It's easy to get carried away in Wellesley. Increasing the pace dramatically can make it much tougher later on.
Most runners wear a club or school uniform or some other form of identifying clothing.
Feeding off the crowd's energy has worked wonders for many a marathoner. When all appears lost, an encouraging word can turn a seemingly defeated, walking marathoner back into a confident running athlete. If spectators are a 26 mile emotional support group, family, friends, and loved ones are a marathoner's ace in the hole. That these folks are watching specifically for you provides the ultimate motivation to keep going. No one knows like those close to you how much time, effort, and dedication are necessary simply to be participating in the Boston marathon.