Boston Marathon 2012: Latest News on Dangerously Hot Day in Beantown

The Boston Marathon finally kicked off. Unfortunately, the greatest marathon in the nation will be joined by record highs as well. 

Runners wait a year to compete in a marathon that's already grueling, but on Monday that aspect of what is hardly a pleasant 26-mile jaunt will be ratcheted up a few degrees. 

Reuters reported on Sunday that temperatures in the Boston area would reach 86 degrees (30.5 degrees celcius) by early afternoon, making it a record for the date and about 30 degrees above the normal highs. 

As of this writing, the temperature in the Boston area was 76 degrees, but the temperature is now expected to rise to 87 degrees over the day via weather.com. 

Organizers released a statement prior to Monday's start that should serve as all the warning needed for those runners who are in tenuous marathon shape, via Reuters. 

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We have determined that the race will occur in a 'red zone' which is considered an increased risk but acceptable for high-level elite runners. However, it is not considered safe for unfit and novice runners. 

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With that being said, the field is still filled with a diverse crowd looking to conquer the famous 26-mile grind.

Again, it includes seasoned runners and those that may be running their first race. 

The field even includes the elder runners proving that age really is only a number, and you are only old when you stop running. 

Ken Sugiura of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports on 73-year old Thad Ghim who will be running a race that is going to be sweltering all day long. 

Ghim has run a total of 29 marathons and typically ran 30 miles a week leading up to the Boston run on Monday. 

He may be atypical of the demographic in this race, but he shares the same mindset of every last person the route. 

Heat and an immense task will not keep them at bay, because the joy of the run calls. 

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