For the past five Boston Marathons, race fans around the world have gone online to track the progress of their family and friends, whose steps are monitored by tiny computer chips on their sneakers.

But what about access for fans lining the course? Compaq Computer Corp. and Nextel Communications, two technology sponsors of the marathon, have answers for this year's race on April 16.

Compaq will provide systems to power a wireless computer network to provide on-demand updates of runners and wheelchair participants along the 26-mile course.

A team of 30 Compaq volunteers, armed with Compaq's wireless iPAQ Pocket PC and wearing red "Ask Me About Your Runner" shirts, will be stationed at several points along the course, offering instant updates on runners to bystanders.

Compaq chairman and CEO Mike Capellas said, "This technology is a great way for participants' friends and family members to feel like they're a part of the action. It's a unique approach to using wireless computing and Internet access to provide results during a sporting event."

It's just one way fans will be able to connect to real-time race information at the 105th edition of the famous race.

Nextel Communications is behind another wireless push to get information to any Web-enabled cell phones or pagers.

Nextel's Athlete Alert Program will let fans track participants via automatic updates, which can be received on a digital phone, text pager or any device with an e-mail address. Alerts will be broadcast from the 10K, half-marathon and 30K market, as well as the finish, as runners pass those locations. Nextel will also have staffers along the route providing updates to fans with Nextel phones.

Runners who want to have their alerts sent via the system must register the wireless device or e-mail addresses prior to race day at the marathon Web site.

Meanwhile, USDataCenters, the race's "official managed Internet data center," will provide Web hosting services for the BAA Web site, allowing anyone on the Internet to track runners during the race.

Once run on a proverbial shoestring by the Boston Athletic Association (BAA), the Boston Marathon has become a marketing bonanza for sponsors. Lead sponsor John Hancock, whose name is slashed across banners and other marketing items, began offering prize money in 1986, and the race began attracting athletes from around the world.

Today, nearly 20 sponsors --Gatorade, Dodge, Northwest Airlines, Citgo and others-- back the marathon, providing funding, products and services.