Boston Marathon 2009: The scene on Heartbreak Hill
Michele Maclean, 58, and her son Tim, 30, claim a spot on Heartbreak Hill with Shelly Plambeck, 40, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Michels sister Paula Terrasi, 53, of Pepperell. Shellys husband David ran his first Boston Marathon today, and Paulas son Matthew ran for the third time. Tim, who ran in 1999, said that the downhill was even worse than the climb; it felt as if someone had punched him in the calf.

Joan Charlotte Matelli, Boston.com Staff