HEARTBREAK HILL Kids' Race, Boston Marathon Weekend, Photos contributed by Coach Mick and Bill Spencer 40th Boston Marathon, April 10, 1936 Ellison (Tarzan) Brown started out with a very fast pace. It was so fast that he beat the press vehicles to the first checkpoint in Framingham. Brown was a Narragansett Indian from Rhode Island. He held the lead through the Newton Hills. At the Newton Hills he was caught by John A. Kelley. As Kelley prepared to pass Brown, he patted him on the backside. The pat seemed to inspire Brown, who surged to victory in 2:33:40. Kelley finished in 5th place. Boston Globe reporter Jerry Nason coined the term "Heartbreak Hill" as the site of Kelley's sadness. Kelley had won the marathon the year before. The statue is of John A. Kelley when he was a young runner at the Boston Marathon AND of the same runner as he ran the marathon as a much older runner. KIDS RACE: On the Sunday before the Boston Marathon, a kids race is held on Heartbreak Hill. Here's what the kids have to say. RYAN #653 My name is Ryan and I am 10 years old. This year was my second race at Heartbreak Hill. Last year I was very anxious because I never ran the race before and I wanted to see how well I could do. This year I was more comfortable. There were lots of people to support me and cheer for me. I was glad there were a lot of of team members from Lynx Elite and we all ran so well. I liked Heartbreak Hill because it is a fun race and it gets me in shape for track season and other sports like soccer. I plan to go next year and have a blast and do well. HANNAH #311 I love running up and down hills so when my coach suggested that I run Heartbreak Hill, I knew it would be a perfect race. It was a fun yet competitive race and the weather couldnąt have been better. In the beginning of the race I set a pace that I knew I could hold true to. On the way down, I kicked up my heels and set a faster pace. As I was getting closer to the finish and realizing I was in third I stretched my legs out and sprinted like I never had before. It was also really exciting to know that the very next day over 20,000 people would be running the same hill in the Boston Marathon. KELSEY #564 I have really enjoyed running the Heartbreak Hill youth mile each year. During the last three years I have finished 1st at age 11 with a Police escort to the finish. The Police escort put "good" chills down my spine. I managed to finish 3rd at age 12, and 2nd this year, breaking the 6:00 minute mile during each of the last two years. Heartbreak Hill Youth mile was my 1st "win", which has helped me jump start what has been a very successful and enjoyable running experience. Because of the great history of "Heartbreak Hill" my questions about the history behind Heartbreak Hill have led to an annual trip to watch the Boston Marathon. I, and a few close friends will plan to make the trip to Boston. Guess where we watch the race from? You guessed it, the base of Heartbreak Hill. This year we managed to help out by handing the runners cups of water. I LOVE Heartbreak Hill! Thanks to my great experience during the Youth Mile I hope to view the Boston Marathon from the base of Heartbreak Hill for many years to come. COLLEEN #196 Running Heartbreak Hill is something I will always remember. It was exciting to know that the next day some of the world's greatest athletes would be running the same course. Someday I hope to participate in the Boston Marathon, so running even just that small part of it was quite an experience. I am planning on running Heartbreak Hill again next year and attempting to beat my time. KELSEY#195 I have always heard people talk about Heartbreak Hill when it comes time for the Boston Marathon. It was cool to actually be there, the day before the Boston Marathon, running Heartbreak Hill. It isn't a really steep hill, but it is very long and gradual. While I was running up the hill, I thought that it would never end. As soon as you get to the top, the rest is downhill and very easy. I will always remember running this race, and I hope to do it again next year. ALISON I'll tell you about Heartbreak Hill. My strategy was to stay with the lead pack, to draft off of them. Then within the last 200-400 meters I would try to sprint past them and finish as high up as I could. I seemed to work a lot harder this year, than the previous years I've run Heartbreak Hill. The race went by quickly, but it was challenging!! I really like Heartbreak Hill its one of my favorite races I've run!! Retiring John A. Kelley's Number Kelley ran the Boston Marathon 61 times. His number was retired after his death. No one will ever wear the number 61 at the Boston Marathon again LINK Tribute to John A. Kelley at the 2005 Boston Marathon. Email the editor at rwedit@rodale.com.