Tens of thousands of runners and hundreds of thousands of fans are "expected to hit the streets of Boston" today for the 119th Boston Marathon. Security "will be high" along the course "in recognition of the bombing" in '13. The race is being held "during a pause in the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev," convicted of the bombing earlier this month. The trial resumes tomorrow. Police "urged spectators not to bring large bags or coolers," and they "banned the use of drones" (REUTERS, 4/19). Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said there are "no threats" to the event. Evans: "We'll have a lot of officers out there ... a lot of bomb-detection equipment. People should be comfortable coming" (BOSTON HERALD, 4/20).

Forecasts call for a "cold, rainy Marathon Monday," with temperatures "capped in the mid-40s through the day." Showers are "expected in the morning, turning to heavy rain later on." Wind chill is predicted "in the high 30s or low 40s" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/20).

The Eagles today plan to sign QB Tim Tebow "as they begin their offseason program." Tebow "hasn't played in an NFL regular season game since 2012," and he "spent last year working in television as an analyst" for ESPN and the SEC Network (FOXSPORTS.com, 4/19). Mitch Modell, whose Modell's Sporting Goods chain has 25 locations in the Philadelphia area, said, "We're not going to have a lot of Tebow jerseys" (ESPN.com, 4/19).

IMG today announced that its client, Petra Kvitova, has agreed to an endorsement deal with watchmaker Ritmo Mundo. She becomes the first tennis player and individual female athlete to endorse the California-based company. Kvitova, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, will appear in Ritmo Mundo's advertising and social media campaigns (IMG). She will promote the Ritmo Mundo and Reflex brands. Ritmo Mundo President Ali Soltani "declined to disclose financial details, but said the multiyear deal is 'a significant investment'" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 4/20).

Approximately 70,000 fans attended the Verizon IndyCar Series Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach yesterday, with an estimated 170,000 total for the three-day race weekend that "included seven different series" (Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM, 4/20). Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President & CEO Jim Michaelian said, "It was probably the best operated race in the history, everything occurred on time." Actor Patrick Stewart served as the race's grand marshal (Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM, 4/20).

Santa Anita Park yesterday wrapped up its winter meet, recording "minimal gains in on-track attendance and all-sources handle." Both attendance and handle were up 3% from last year. Santa Anita Marketing Dir Nate Newby said, "It's nice to be up, compared to last year. All of our expectations are to do even better than that, but up is up ... We're not celebrating it ... but we're moving in the right direction" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 4/20).

The 50th Academy of Country Music Awards were held last night at AT&T Stadium, and Cowboys QB Tony Romo appeared on stage to introduce singer Dierks Bentley. Romo also threw a pass to show co-host Luke Bryan, with fellow co-host Blake Shelton saying afterwards, “Wait a minute. Give me that, just to make sure this is legit. This isn't one of them deflated balls, is it?” Romo replied, “Blake, we’re the Dallas Cowboys. We have real balls” (“ACM Awards,” CBS, 4/19).

Golfer Jordan Spieth, who is from Dallas, also appeared on the show alongside singers Jake Owen and Darius Rucker. The "trio announced the winner for Female Vocalist of the Year," which was Miranda Lambert. Spieth finished playing in the PGA Tour RBC Heritage yesterday afternoon and "flew to Dallas in time" for his ACM appearance (GOLFWEEK.com, 4/19).

The baseball documentary "Fastball" debuts tonight at the Tribeca Film Festival in N.Y. The film is narrated by Kevin Costner and features current MLBers, 20 Baseball HOFers, writers and scientists. Interviewees include Aroldis Chapman, David Price, Bob Gibson and Nolan Ryan. There is also "rare footage from Sandy Koufax's perfect game." The documentary is produced by HOF Board member Thomas Tull and written/directed by Jonathan Hock. The "most compelling aspect" of the film "might be its science" (FOXSPORTS.com, 4/20).

Philadelphia’s WPEN-FM today is launching “Anthony Gargano in The Morning,” which “will feature the veteran sports writer and talk show host paired” with Jon Marks each weekday from 6:00-10:00am ET (NJ.com, 4/20).

A sellout crowd of 6,752 on Saturday attended the USL Sounders FC 2-Oklahoma City Energy FC match, the home opener at the newly renovated Taft Stadium (OKLAHOMAN, 4/19).

The Devils yesterday allowed season-ticket holders and corporate partners to paint messages on the Prudential Center ice as part of the team’s second annual Paint & Skate presented by Lawns by Yorkshire (THE DAILY).

“I believe the market is robust enough, and corporate-laden and technologically savvy that we have the right mix of corporate and individuals that could support Major League Baseball, if there were facilities” – Predators CEO Jeff Cogen, who previously served as MLB Rangers President (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 4/19).

“Very often sports, even though we turn to it as an escape from our everyday problems, and most of the times that’s all it should be” – Broadcaster Bob Costas, on addressing political and social topics during sports broadcasts when appropriate (DESERET NEWS, 4/19).

“You had pitchers who threw strikes and batters who were aggressive. This game’s a lot more marketable when it’s played like that. I’m sure that’s what the league wants” – Umpire Jim Reynolds, on last night’s Cardinals-Reds game taking just over two hours to be played (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 4/20).

"I think we've got enough here, don't you?" – F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone, referring to the Middle East, when asked about the possibility of holding a Grand Prix in Qatar (REUTERS, 4/20).

N.Y. TIMES on Vin Scully and the Dodgers carriage impasse: "Some fans worry that if the dispute is not resolved soon, they will have seen the last of Scully, who decides late each season whether he will return the next year."

The ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH on a new Rams stadium: "Truth is, we don't have a financing plan. At least not a realistic one. ... Our plan calls for about $350 million of public money. Where are we going to get it?"

Also:

• Sports media roundtable discusses Britt McHenry aftermath.
• Normalcy returning to Boston Marathon two years after bombing.
• Korean LPGA players successfully overcome language barrier.
• High demand on secondary ticket market for golf's U.S. Open.
• U.S. Senior Open could give big boost to Sacramento economy.

Good luck to my friend @ESPNAndyKatz at the Boston Marathon today. He's been training like he reports - relentlessly

— Dana O'Neil (@ESPNDanaOneil) April 20, 2015

Let's stop with this, "Tim-Tebow-in-Philly-is-a-media circus" idea. The whole league is a media circus.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 20, 2015

Amazing how AirTitan has changed the calculus on getting races in on scheduled day. Bottom line, it's now much more possible and been proven

— Brett Jewkes (@BJewkes) April 20, 2015

Were beat reporters always homers? Or is it just more apparent because of social media? #Flames #Canucks #NHLPlayoffs

— Jaime Stein (@jaimestein) April 20, 2015

Most interesting placement of the @SEC logo at the W. Golf Championship is on wheel hubs for @aggiewomensgolf carts. pic.twitter.com/i7kDbBQWl2

— Greg Sankey (@gscantweet) April 19, 2015

The Big 12 hosts its annual "State of College Athletics" forum at the National Press Club in DC.

The Interpublic Group of Cos. is “buying a minority stake" in S.F.-based Samba TV. IPG today will announce that “it will incorporate Samba TV’s technology into its growing group of tools aimed at developing more effective ad-buying strategies for clients” (N.Y. TIMES, 4/20).

Friday night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Book Reviews.”

“A 2008 review of this novel, later filmed, compared it to ‘Battle Royale’ and said it’s ‘A future we can fear.’”

Friday night’s edition of “Jeopardy!” featured the category “Sports Movies.”

For $200: “This 1986 movie tells the story of how a small-town high school basketball team became Indiana state champions.”

For $400: “Parminder Nagra plays soccer for the Hounslow Harriers in this film.”

For $600, read by N.Y Times film critic A.O. Scott: “I chose this Clint Eastwood film as the best of 2004 and referred to it as ‘Three people seduced by the bloody allure of the ring.’”

For $800: “Jane Lynch is mom to Will Ferrell in this comedy with drive.”

For $1000: “Paul Newman coaches the Chiefs, a losing minor league hockey team, in this favorite.”

CBS’ David Letterman: “Tom Brady, world champion Super Bowl quarterback, his wife Gisele Bündchen … is retiring from modeling. You know why? Because she says her body told her to stop. I think that's pretty insightful. Now, I'm retiring because everybody told me to stop” (“Late Show,” CBS, 4/17).

Friday night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Other Courses Offered By The Vatican.” Letterman said, “You think all they do is walk around in their giant hats. They do so much more. They have annual week-long courses. For example, they have an annual week-long course, it says here, in exorcism, and it's being held this week at the Vatican” (“Late Show,” CBS, 4/17).

10) “Introduction To Wafer Insertion”
9) “Phonics for Eunuchs”
8) “How to Tell Nuns Apart”
7) “Resurrecting Pets”
6) “Fully-Clothed Anatomy”
5) “‘A-Men’ vs. ‘Ah-Men’”
4) “Remedial Infallibility”
3) “Kung Fu”
2) “Paleontology: Debunked”
1) “No-Sex Education”

“What is ‘The Hunger Games?’”

Correct responses to the “Sports Movies” category:

For $200: “What is ‘Hoosiers?’”

For $400: “What is ‘Bend it like Beckham?’”

For $600: “What is ‘Million Dollar Baby?’”

For $800: “What is ‘Talladega Nights?’”

For $1000: “What is ‘Slap Shot?’”