The inaugural running of the Sony Ericsson City of Oaks Marathon gets under way at 7 a.m. Sunday. About 3,500 runners will start from near Carter-Finley Stadium on Trinity Road, hang a right on Blue Ridge Road, then go left on Hillsborough into downtown Raleigh before returning to the stadium area through the Glenwood South and Cameron Village neighborhoods. Two thirds of the runners -- those running the half-marathon option -- will stop at the stadium; 1,100, though, will only be half done. They'll press on, running up to Trinity Road, then taking a left onto a natural surface trail through Umstead State Park before returning via Ebenezer Church Road, Duraleigh Road and Edwards Mill Road back to Carter Finley.

What keeps 'em running? Water, sports drinks, the energy gel Gu -- and you!

"There's a big need for encouragement," says Greg Jackson, a marathoner and member of the race committee.

In the nation's big marathons, the tens of thousands of spectators who line the race route play a vital role in urging the runners on. Thus, Jackson urges you to get out and watch some of the fun. To that end, we've put together a quick guide to Sunday's race.

Vital statistics

How far exactly is a marathon? 26.2 miles. (The half marathon -- duh! -- is 13.1 miles.)

26.2 miles -- about how far is that? It's about the distance around Raleigh's Beltline.

How long will it take to run the marathon? Jackson says the winner should finish in about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Most people will finish in 3 to 5 hours and there's a time limit of 7 hours.

It takes me about 15 minutes to walk a mile on the greenway. How does that compare to these folks? The speediest are running a mile in about 5 minutes. The slowest will be running 11- or 12-minute miles.

Where can I find more info on the race? At http://cityofoaksmarathon.com.

Where to watch

If the race runs through your neighborhood simply grab a lounge chair, a thermos of coffee and the Sunday newspaper, set up camp and wait for the race to pass by. Otherwise, race organizers suggest you catch the action from these spots along the way.

Mile Location

1. 0 Start Line: Trinity Road and Youth Center Drive.

Why: Festive atmosphere, with a DJ playing music, a trumpeter from the N.C. Symphony doing his thing, the Sony Ericsson people shooting pictures with their cell phones. "There'll be a lot of pomp and circumstance," promises Jackson. "There's the anticipation," he adds, "with everyone all pumped up and ready."

2. 3.5 N.C. State Bell Tower, Hillsborough Street.

Why: "It's a nice showcase of Raleigh," says Jackson. "The view of downtown and you get to run past the university. Some would say it's not very scenic, but I'm a State grad so I like it."

3. 5.5 Capitol/Fayetteville Street.

Why: If you happened to catch the Raleigh Downtown Criterium bike race in May, you know why this is a good place to park yourself. The wide boulevard and tall buildings (which are getting taller), make for an unusually urban feel.

4. 6.0 Glenwood South.

Why: Raleigh's trendy new address offers lots of opportunity to see -- and be seen.

5. 7.5 Cameron Village.

Why: Nice residential area, easy to park.

6. 9 Meredith College

Why: Get inspired by the runners, talk a walk on the greenway that runs over to the N.C. Museum of Art.

7. 12 Cardinal Gibbons High School

Why: With just over a mile to go, this is where the half-marathoners will start to "sprint" to the finish.

8. 13.1 Half Marathon finish: Youth Center Drive and Trinity Road, backside of fairgrounds

Why: Because it's the finish! At least for the half-marathoners.

9. 16 Umstead State Park.

Why: The scenery. Park in the Umstead parking lot off Harrison Avenue at I-40, then walk down the Reedy Creek Lake Trail -- a smooth, natural surface roadway -- about a mile to the Reedy Creek Trail, part of the 3.5-mile natural surface route through the park.

10. 23.5 Reedy Creek Road at Edwards Mill

Why: Approximate location of the infamous "wall" that some marathoners hit. "You'll see some really downtrodden people who need encouragement," says Jackson. But you might also witness the runner's rebirth; Cresting Reedy Creek, it's downhill most of the way home. From here, runner's can almost see the finish. "You can do it! You're almost there!"

11. 26.2 Marathon Finish -- Reedy Creek Road to Blue Ridge Road.

Why: Look for lots of emotion as spent runners fall into the waiting arms of friends and family. Stick around for the awards ceremony. More music, too.