Published April 18, 2011

If you woke up to a police barrier blocking you from your favorite Dunkin’ Donuts, you’re not the only one. Today marks the 115th Boston Marathon — an inspiring day for runners and non-runners alike — and the race wreaks havoc with the area’s traffic patterns.

It’s Patriots Day, hopefully you have the day off. The City of Boston provided this handy list of what you can expect for today’s holiday:

Closed: All municipal offices, including Boston City Hall, schools, libraries and community centers.

Traffic & Parking: Parking meters not in effect. All other rules apply. The Transportation Department has issued a traffic advisory for many streets.

Trash and Recycling: Collection delayed by one day this week in Allston, Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain (except streets with twice a week pickup), Mattapan, Roslindale, or West Roxbury.

The T is running a regular weekday schedule with added service before and after the marathon. With the marathon cutting much of Greater Boston in half, many bus routes are impacted.

Some streets around Boston are closed.

As for the race itself, past champion Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot and fellow Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai are names to know on the men’s side. Ryan Hall, who finished third in 2008 and fourth last year, is the best American hope.

Teyba Erkesso won the 2010 race and is back to defend her title against two other past champions, Dire Tune of Ethiopia and Catherine Ndereba of Kenya in the women’s race.

Of course, the man to keep your eyes on in the men’s wheelchair race is Ernst Van Dyk who’s gunning for his 10th Boston title.

If you’re looking to follow the marathon action today, check out live twitter coverage from @runnersworld, as well as the @bostonmarathon official feed.

WBUR’s Alex Ashlock is covering the race again for the station — he’ll have updates throughout the day.