Missed Shalane Flanagan run by campus on Marathon Monday? Want to see her at BC again, before next year’s race? Your chance has arrived: the Runner’s World magazine Heartbreak Hill Half Marathon Festival and Expo is coming to BC on June 6th-8th!
The Festival includes a variety of seminars, a keynote address by Paralypian Sarah Reinertsen, a prerace dinner with Runner’s World editors, kids and dog races. Aside from the title event—the half marathon on Sunday morning—there are two smaller races on Saturday morning, a 5K and 10K. Ambitious runners can do the Hat Trick (running all three events) or the Five and Dime (the 5K and 10K only). The festival is headquartered entirely at BC for the weekend, with all of the seminars on campus and all the races starting and ending on Linden Lane.
According to their website, the magazine “began planning the Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival months before the tragedy at the 2013 Boston Marathon, [and] is honored to have made a $26,000 donation to The One Fund Boston.”
The schedule boasts an impressive lineup. From an all-female running panel with Shalane Flanagan, Olympic medalist and American record holder, to a motivational seminar with Chris Herren, former NBA basketball player, author, and sobriety advocate. Robsham will be home to an assortment of topical films, such as “The 25,000 Mile Love Story” and “Up Heartbreak Hill.” Dave McGillivray, the race director (not only of this one, but also of the Boston Marathon), will be hosting a talk on race strategy on Saturday night.
If you’re interested in joining me in June, be sure to register here as soon as possible.
In order to prepare for the big day (six weeks from today!) you’ll need to properly train. I’ve decided to use this running schedule to make sure I’m prepared as can be come June 6th, and don’t have to spend the whole Expo worrying about whether my last long run was enough to carry me through Sunday.
Print it out, get out there for the 3M jog today, and use the Race to Educate (coming up this weekend) as an easy workout!
Photo Sources: cover photo courtesy of Runner’s World magazine, all other photos taken by Meaghan Leahy.