BOSTON (AP) Happy birthday to the Boston Marathon, which turns 120 on Monday.
The planet's most venerable footrace began humbly enough, with just a handful of runners participating in the inaugural running on April 19, 1897.
Since then, it's become the most celebrated road race on Earth. This year's edition has drawn 30,000 competitors from 99 countries - the third-largest field in the history of the race. Cheering them on will be an estimated 1 million spectators.
Authorities say security will be tight again this year after the recent attacks in Brussels, though officials know of no specific threat against the marathon. In 2013, two bombs planted among spectators near the marathon finish line killed three people and wounded more than 260 others.
