With just three weeks to go until the Boston Marathon, hundreds of runners took to the course Saturday to get in one final big run.
It's not the normal starting line in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, but three bus-loads of runners left Ashland and ran all the way to Boston's Bolyston Street as if it were Marathon Monday.
"You literally gotta get the miles in," said Dan Lionetta, one of the runners training Saturday.
This is Lionetta's fourth time running the race, and he says he can't get enough it.
"I keep telling myself I'm not and just keep turning back up, it's too much fun," he said.
Finding time to enjoy the race is important, because for many of these runners, the training can be very intense.
When these legs get tired, volunteers are stationed along the course with water and plenty of support.
There will be stepped up security once again this year, with the attacks in Brussels fresh in people's minds.
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In fact, in the wake of what happened in Europe, Boston Police Commissioner William Evans decided not to run this year and focus his attention on security.
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital has 65 runners participating this year, and they have raised over $300,000 dollars to support patients like Lizzie Conover.
"Spaulding is really near and dear to my heart," she said. "It got me running again, physically running again."
And with every cup of water and Cliff bar, volunteers and runners are getting a preview of what it's going to be like on Marathon Monday.
