Boston Marathon Spectators Flock To Heartbreak Hill

NEWTON, MA - For many Boston Marathon runners, Heartbreak Hill is the most challenging part of the race. Even though the course only rises a half-mile from Center Street to Hammond Street in Newton - not a huge incline - after 20 1/2 miles, the effort becomes the extreme.

For that reason, people have historically flocked to the intersection of Center Street and Commonwealth Avenue to support their friends and family as they tackle the final major hill of the 26.2-mile run.

This year, despite a biting wind and freezing rain, spectators from around the country started early, staking out spaces as early as 9 a.m. Always flush with patrons on Patriots Day, Heartbreak Hill Running Company was especially packed Monday morning as news crews, vendors, visitors and spectators crammed into the store to escape the cold.

Justin Keefe, the production manager at Heartbreak Hill Running Company, said the store's popularity always spikes on race day. He expected the shop to remain busy through the late afternoon.

“It always gets packed in here but this year more so,” he said, as even more people crammed into the small shop. “Normally people will be outside enjoying the nice weather and just pop in for water or to buy something, but this year people have been here seeking warmth, watching the TV and getting dry.”

Keefe said the staff at the Running Company spend most of the year getting ready for this event with their running club, the Heartbreakers.

“It’s a slow build January through April, and this is the pinnacle,” he said. “We’ll have club members who are running and cheering this year. So, we’ll be tracking folks and watching.”

Those runners will be the ones with the image of a broken heart on their shirts.

“This is an iconic spot and it certainly helps to have support at Mile 20 when runners start to hit that wall,” he added.

Elizabeth Carr is a member of the Heartbreakers Running Club and the Executive Director of Back on My Feet Boston, which combats homelessness through running. As she watched the Elite Class of runners start on TV, she said she was there to support her teammates and catch a glimpse of running superstar, Marblehead native and recent NYC Marathon winner Shalane Flanagan. Flanagan would finish sixth.

“I’m here supporting for a few reasons,” Carr said. “I’m here to support 16 of the runners we have fundraising for Back on My Feet, to cheer for the Heartbreakers who are running and of course to see Shalane.”

Carr said it's the second year Back on My Feet has sponsored runners. The organization, she said, works with homeless facilities to get members out and running each week. After a month of participating in the program, they’re able access employment and housing opportunities set up through the company.

“It’s just awesome to be here,” she said. “Despite the weather.”

Just a few feet away, Biddeford, Maine resident Melissa Albani also professed her love for Flanagan as she bought new pink running shoes.

“I’m a huge running fan and I’m just obsessed with Shalane so I’m very excited to see the elite women go by,” Albani said.

As for the shoes, she said it meant just a bit more to buy them to commemorate watching her first Boston Marathon at the bottom of Heartbreak Hill.

“It just felt the the right place and time,” she said.

No strangers to cold and wet weather, Darlene and George Markle traveled to the Boston area to support their son David, who is running his first marathon. Tagging along on the trip were friends Heather Jennings, Michelle Finlon and David’s fiance Katie Henning.

“It’s a dream to be here in Boston and especially at Heartbreak HIll,” Darlene Markle said as she teared up a bit. “I think back to when David was running in 6th grade and what he accomplished in high school and college and it’s just so amazing to be here now to watch him.”

Henning said they ended up coming back to watch the marathon on Heartbreak Hill after visiting the area yesterday.

“David wanted to run the hills a bit to prepare and he wanted to go shopping at the Running Company,” she said. “So, we just thought this would be a good spot.”

Henning said her fiance was a longtime runner, took a break and just returned to the sport three years ago. Currently, the pair work at the running store Fleet Feet Sports in Madison, Wisconsin. Since Markle returned to running, she said, it’s been his goal to race in some of the world’s biggest marathons.

“This is actually the same weather he qualified in so I think he’ll be OK,” she said. “He’s just so excited to be running with elite class, it’s something he’s been talking about and we’re just proud to be here and support him.”

Just outside the Heartbreak Hill Running Company, Ohio resident Tony Knoxson was getting acclimated to the weather, donning four layers and an already soaked rain parka.

“I was actually here in the same spot last year,” Knoxson said. “I'm here supporting my girlfriend Sharon Doherty, who is running it for the third time.”

“You have to prepare for the weather but it’s worth it,” he said. “Last year I got a sunburn while watching, this year my feet will be a bit cold. You have to be willing to stand around and support the runners but cause it’s nothing compare to what they’re experiencing.”

Knoxson said he’s confident that Doherty will do well as they trained in the cold weather near Lake Eerie during the year.

“We’re both runners and we’ve run in this weather, before” he said. “Maybe not 26 miles but I think she’ll do just fine.”

Photos by Dana Forsythe