Brookline, Somerville, Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and West Roxbury are all neighborhoods in the Boston area that are located near the marathon route. Brookline is known for its vibrant downtown area and proximity to Boston University. Somerville is a diverse and artsy neighborhood with a lot of local restaurants and bars. Jamaica Plain is a historic neighborhood with a large park and a diverse community. Roxbury and West Roxbury are more residential neighborhoods with a mix of houses and apartments. All of these neighborhoods are easily accessible via public transportation, including the subway system (MBTA or "the T"). You can expect to travel around 30-40 minutes to get to the downtown or Back Bay area, depending on the specific location within these neighborhood and traffic.