Since 1999 — 23 Years and Still Running!

Heartbreak Hill Striders

The Heartbreak Hill Striders are a group of women and men of all abilities, interested in marathoning and road racing, with several coached workouts each week.

Look for weekly emails from Coach Jim for the latest club news!

  • Membership Information
  • Weekly Track Workouts
  • Indoor Workouts at Babson College Time : 7 – 8:30 PM
    • Proposed Dates: November: 7, 14 and 28
    • December: 5, 12,19, 26 January: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
    • February: 6, 13, 20, 27 March: 5, 12, 19, 26 April: 2
  • Review updated Calendar for future events

Interested in learning more? Reach out: info@heartbreakhill.org

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Heartbreak Hill

The most famous hill in all of running is almost certainly “Heartbreak Hill”, between miles 20 and 21 of the Boston Marathon course. In 1936, while running the last of the four Newton hills, defending champion Johnny Kelley finally caught the leader, Ellison “Tarzan” Brown. As he passed him, Kelley gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder, figuring that Brown would quickly fade.  Instead, Brown, motivated by this bold move, immediately regained the lead and went on to win.

The late Boston Globe sportswriter Jerry Nason coined the term “Heartbreak Hill” in the next day’s issue when he described Kelley’s bitter defeat (“breaking Kelley’s heart”). Every Patriots Day, Heartbreak Hill on Commonwealth Avenue in Newton has become a focal point for many of Boston’s most vocal and knowledgeable marathon spectators — particularly those eager to witness the drama (and agony) as runners strive to conquer the most challenging section of this historic course.