RICHLAND -- The 31st Tri-Cities Marathon will begin 8 a.m. today at Shilo Inn in Richland. Last minute information packet pickup will start at 7 a.m.

Early start times are available at 6 and 7 a.m. for runners who would otherwise not expect to finish prior to the scheduled 1 p.m. closure.

The chip-timed marathon is on a flat and fast 26.2 mile USTAF-certified course along the Columbia River and over the I-182, cable and Blue bridges and is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.