The owner of 9Seven Consulting in Hudson, Wisconsin, Thomas Datwyler is an experienced long-distance runner who has completed marathons all around the world. In addition to running marathons in Tokyo, Berlin, and London, he has qualified for and completed the Boston Marathon on multiple occasions. During each of his completions of the Boston Marathon, Thomas Datwyler had to prepare for the marathon's uniquely challenging course, highlighted by the infamous “Heartbreak Hill,” which has carried that name since 1936.
The Boston Marathon is the oldest annual marathon in the world. The Boston Athletic Association staged the race for the first time in 1897, one year after the marathon debuted at the first modern Olympics. The Boston Marathon began as a 24.5-mile race before expanding its route to the standard 26.2 miles. For more than a century, the race has maintained roughly the same route, which travels from Hopkinton to Boston.
The Boston Marathon is not only the world's oldest annually running marathon, but also recognized as one of the most challenging road races for long-distance runners, mainly due to the constant switch between steep declines and prolonged climbs. The course rarely allows runners to settle into a fixed pace for more than a few minutes before necessitating adjustments, especially when it comes to the Newton Hills.
The Newton Hills challenge runners in several ways, especially as they come in quick succession relatively late in the race, with four hills appearing between miles 16 and 21. Each of the hills involves a crest followed by a downhill segment, forcing runners to maintain control of their pace. Pushing too hard during an uphill can burn out even the most durable athlete, as can overexerting one's self on the declines rather than using downhill segments as opportunities for recovery.
Heartbreak Hill is the last of the four Newton Hills. Unfortunately for runners, it is also the largest, meaning many athletes who barely survive the first three hills tend to wipe out on the last. Like many aspects of marathon running, Heartbreak Hill is both a physical and psychological obstacle, particularly for runners who have heard stories about how many races the hill has ruined for even the most well-trained athletes.
When it comes to effectively tackling Heartbreak Hill, individuals should start by clearing their minds and framing the challenge in a positive light. For example, the legend of Heartbreak Hill is well known, so large crowds gather along the street to provide support. Furthermore, Heartbreak Hill is the last significant elevation change on the route, meaning runners who complete the climb can enjoy a relatively clear path to the finish line.
Runners should also keep in mind that, while certainly challenging, Heartbreak Hill is just a half-mile stretch in a 26.2-mile race. In total, just one-third of the 4.8-mile stretch that comprises the Newton Hills section of the Boston Marathon involves running uphill. Runners maintaining a mile pace of eight minutes will spend just only minutes on Heartbreak Hill. By understanding where the hills are and how long they last, runners can better prepare themselves, adjust their pace to accommodate the unique challenge, and reach the finish line.