Heat expected to put a damper on Boston Marathon

BOSTON (AP) _ It's Marathon day and it's going to be sizzling hot.

Temperatures in the mid-to upper 80s are expected Monday for the 116th running of the Boston Marathon, prompting organizers to urge the 27,000 official runners to take extra precautions.

Temperatures are expected to rival 1976, when 40 percent of entrants dropped out when it broke into the mid-90s.

The first option is don't run. Organizers say runners can skip this year's race and will be allowed to run next year instead.

Those who do run are being advised to slow their pace.

Of course, the big key is hydration.

The BAA renewed warnings to drink enough _ but not too much _ water, and to recognize the symptoms of heat stroke: confusion, headaches, nausea, vomiting and excessive fatigue.