Boston Marathon

The oldest annual marathon in the world, run since 1897, from Hopkinton east into the centre of Boston. It loses more height than it gains, which is why its times do not count as records — and yet it is the hard one, because the Newton hills come at 30 km when the descent has already taken the legs. [Route details] Start: Hopkinton · Finish: Boylston Street, Boston 42.43 km · climb 188 m [Along the way] - Framingham, Natick, then the Wellesley scream tunnel at halfway - The four Newton hills from 27 km, ending with Heartbreak Hill at about 33 km - Down through Brookline, right on Hereford, left on Boylston [Good to know] - Run on Patriots' Day, the third Monday in April. - Entry needs a qualifying time from another marathon.