Boston Marathon 2012 got underway Monday despite concerns about the impacts on runners of unseasonably-warm temperatures in the Massachusetts capital.

Thousands of athletes from all corners of the globe took to the streets of Boston Monday morning to complete the 26.2-mile race, which is one of the most prominent marathons in the world.

Pictures from the race depict the massive crush of human bodies that any marathon features, many of whom are hoping for a shot at becoming this year's Boston Marathon champion. But others participate in the race with an end goal of simply completing the run -- which is no small feat.

Boston Marathon 2012's pack of runners includes a few celebrities, including Bachelorette star Ryan Sutter, former NFL star Tedy Bruschi and retired U.S. soccer player Kristine Lilly.

This gallery of photos will give you a good idea of what it's like to be there in Boston, watching some of the world's top distance runners battling it out to be this year's winner.

Hosted by the Boston Athletic Association, Boston Marathon 2012 is being broadcast to local residents on WBZ and nationally on Universal Sports. Live coverage is also being streamed at this link, while live video can be found here. And be sure to follow the hashtag #BostonMarathon on Twitter for live updates on what's going on in the streets of Boston during today's race.

Below is a photo gallery of all the action at Boston Marathon 2012:

Boston Marathon 2012
The elite men runners start the 116th running of the Boston Marathon in Hopkinton, Massachusetts April 16, 2012. Reuters
Boston Marathon 2012
The elite women runners start the 116th running of the Boston Marathon in Hopkinton, Massachusetts April 16, 2012. Reuters
Boston Marathon 2012
Near the finish line Monday morning in Boston. The runners will all be yearning to finally get here as the race wears on. instagram.com
Boston Marathon 2012
Wesley Korir of Kenya poses for photographers after winning the men's division of the 116th Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts April 16, 2012. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ATHLETICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) Reuters
Boston Marathon 2012
Sharon Cherop (R) of Kenya, winner of the women's division, and Wesley Korir of Kenya, winner of the men's division of the 116th Boston Marathon, kiss the trophy for photographers in Boston, Massachusetts April 16, 2012. Reuters
Boston Marathon 2012
Wellesley College Sophomore Valerie Ludorf, of Hopkinton, Mass., cheers for the runners along the route of the 116th Marathon in Wellesley, Massachusetts April 16, 2012. Reuters
Twitter NFL Soccer Twitter