Boston Marathon - The Hills of the Boston Marathon and How to Qualify

Boston Marathon has a very long and unique history. When the Olympics were revived in 1896, the Greeks asked that a race be added to commemorate their victory over the Persians that had been fought on the plains of Marathon. The race was to be a long one, just under twenty-five miles, and it was a source of Greek pride that a Greek won it. A member of the American Olympic team, John Graham, thought the race a splendid example of the purity of running, and suggested that a similar race be run in Boston. He was, at the time, a member of the Boston Athletic Association.

And so it was that, on the 19th of April in the year 1897, the first Boston marathon was run. Over the years, not a few runners have called the race one of (if not the) toughest marathons in the world! The main reason for this is the infamous Newton Hills located (as the name implies) in the Town of Newton near Boston College. The four hills are not really all that large, but their location in the course is what tends to wear runners down. As they fall right between mile twenty and twenty-one, an awful lot of racers are very tired by then. So, it is not uncommon for some athletes to call it quits at that point.

The last of the Newton Hills is known by the nickname Heartbreak Hill. This goes back to the 1936 race when the defending champion John Kelley managed to catch up to then leader Ellison Brown. As he passed Brown, he gave him a pat on the shoulder. Well, Kelley's drive spurred Brown on; he found a bit most strength, passed Kelley, and went on to win. Later, a reporter for the Boston Globe said that Brown had broken Kelley's heart.

So, if you think you can overcome those demanding Newton Hills, give the race a try. Despite the tough course, it is a good run; coming as it does in spring. In order to enter, you have to have run in a previous marathon within the last year and a half, and it has to be one that is connected with the International Association of Athletics Federations. Also the time you ran the race must not be beyond a certain range depending on your age. As an example, if you are between age eighteen and thirty-four, your time must be below three hours and ten minutes. On the other hand, if you are in your early forties (40 to 44), a time under three hours and twenty-one minutes is acceptable.

Yet, there is a way to get into the race without meeting these qualification requirements. A block of 1,250 spaces in the race are reserved for runners who get sponsorships from local charities. The level of sponsorship, and which charities you can sign up, varies year by year, but it is a viable alternative to having to run in another race. So, depending on how you want to do it, there is more than one way to get the chance to challenge the Newton Hills.

Marius Bakken is a two time Olympic runner with his own marathon training site. For more information, visit boston marathon to help you determine if this is the marathon for you.

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