Run From Hopkinton

The Heartbreak Hill Striders Run from Hopkinton is a point-to-point, vehicle-supported Boston Marathon simulation training run for HHS members and guests. Runners may elect to run distances of up to 22 miles. If you wish to run or volunteer, please respond to this email (membership@heartbreakhill.org) now. If you are volunteering, please indicate whether you are willing to be a driver or a crew member. If you have friends who are interested in joining the run as a Guest Runner, you may forward this email to them.  

Three principal Support Vehicles will provide runner support/fluids at the following mile markers: 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 14, 18 and 22 for all runners averaging between 8:10 and 13:00 minutes/mile. Pace Info: Runners averaging quicker than 8:10 minutes/mile (avg. pace) or more than 13 minutes/mile will be supported by a Rover vehicle, where possible.

Any runners averaging more than 12:45 minutes/mile and unlikely to reach St. Ignatius by 1:00 PM, should plan to leave a car near St. Ignatius/Dunkin Donuts, or near the 22-mile mark, or arrange for a ride from there.

There are two runner pick-up locations on Sunday morning:

• 7:00 AM at St. Ignatius Dunkin Donuts (mile 21.4 on the Boston Marathon course) - best if you are running 18 miles or more, and are not returning to the Lower Falls vicinity after the Run.

• 7:30 AM at Town of Wellesley Municipal parking lot behind the Sunoco at Lower Falls (mile 15.9 on the Boston Marathon course) - best if you are running 16 miles or less, and are not returning to the St. Ignatius/BC/Brookline area after the Run.

Snow Date: If the roads are not sufficiently clear of snow or ice, or if the weather on March 1 is unacceptable, the Run from Hopkinton will be rescheduled for Sunday, March 8.

Instructions for Runners:

The Run from Hopkinton is up to 22 miles, or 2-3 miles more than your longest long run, during the current training cycle. Let the support vehicle drivers/crew know of your plans and your condition as you run. Do not put yourself in jeopardy by trying to do too much.

• HHS Runners: If you plan to run, respond to this email with your intended run distance, and where you would like to be picked up Sunday morning. The default pick-up location is Lower Falls 7:30 AM.

• Guest Runners: If you are not an HHS member, respond to this email to confirm your intended run distance, and where you would like to be picked up Sunday morning, then complete the guest waiver (attached) bring the waiver along with $25 guest fee to the pick-up location. Guests of HHS members will have space available priority.

All Runner Vehicles will depart Town of Wellesley Municipal Parking Lot behind the Sunoco at Lower Falls: 7:40 AM sharp

Group Photo at 8:15 AM at the Hopkinton gazebo.

Run Start Time from Hopkinton: 8:30 AM

 

Dress in highly visible gear. Labels on your gear bag, jacket, etc., are a good idea.

Gear Bag: Put it in the support vehicle that, based on your average speed, including stops, will likely be with you or behind you the whole way.

Which side of the road is best to run on:

      Hopkinton (0.0) to Natick Center (10.3) -- left side

      Natick Center (10.3) to the Fire Station (17.4) -- right side/sidewalk

      Fire Station (17.4) to BC (21.3): Carriage Road; 

      BC to 22 -- right side/sidewalk

Marathon Pace Practice: If you wish, practice your marathon pace from Mile Mark 12 to Mile Mark 16, with Support Vehicle fluids at Mile 14 and self-serve fluids at Lower Falls behind bridge wall (Mile ~15.9).