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Race brings big run on coverage

Executive producer Linda Polach has been a behind-the-scenes part of Ch.5's award-winning Boston Marathon coverage for 15 years, but knows tomorrow's effort will be severely tested to match the climax of a year ago.

"We stayed with Uta Pippig live when others thought she was beaten and we were the only ones who caught her live surging ahead to win for the third straight time," Polach said yesterday.

"As a result, while Jack Harper exclaimed, 'Oh my gosh!' we had this great shot of her beaming (surprised) into the camera as she took control. The key was trusting our instincts."

Ch.5 is the perennial ratings winner, but again has plenty of company in undertaking the expensive task of full-race treatment from 11:30 a.m. - joining Chs.4, 7, ESPN2 and WBZ radio.

Even though the spotlight isn't as intense as last year's centennial milestone and the field has dropped from 38,000 to 11,000, the tube treatment begins in Hopkinton at 5 a.m.

The difference in approach is familiar. Ch.5 stations news anchor Chet Curtis with...