You can scarcely enter the third town along the marathon route without sampling something from Little Brazil. Right on the route near downtown is the Magic Oven, or Forninho Magico, (pictured) which opens at 6 a.m. Customers new to Brazilian fare often like the bakery’s coxinha, which is deep-fried dough with chicken and cream cheese, or the rissoles, another deep-fried Brazilian specialty, but with cheese and corn, according to bakery co-owner Katia Caldeira. The race also goes right past Framingham’s commuter rail stop, and several trains can get you there before the first racers pound the pavement.

The Magic Oven, 470 Waverly St. (Route 135), Framingham

4. Natick

Marathoners go right past the Natick Common, which is surrounded by a small but thriving downtown. American Legion Post 107 plans to sell hot dogs and hamburgers again after last year’s big success. Money raised goes toward an annual Natick schools’ ceremony, at which flag-raising and -lowering duties are transferred from student to student, according to post commander Patrick Clark. Need coffee? Try Bakery on the Common, which opens at 6 a.m. Need a “Mad Men’’ fix? Try Renew Arts and Industry, a new shop just off the route on South Main Street, which sells vintage housewares.

Natick Common, East Central Street (Route 135), Natick

5. Wellesley

Just after Wellesley College and the famous Scream Tunnel, (pictured) formed by students cheering on marathoners, the route winds through Wellesley Square. There, spectators can stop at any number of businesses, but if all that movement has inspired you, check out Wellesley Books, where you can pick up some tips on running. The store carries the “Great Runs’’ series by Brookline author Mark Lowenstein, which suggests scenic and historic places to jog or walk in several towns in the area, including Brookline, Newton, Wellesley, Natick, Weston, Lexington, and Concord.