Here is a quick and simple elevation chart graphic for the Boston Marathon course.
The course has an overall negative gain. It starts at 490 feet in Hopkinton an finishes at 10 feet above sea level at Copley Square.
The biggest rise during the race comes between mile 20 and 21 which is commonly referred to as Heartbreak Hill. The 88 ft climb is not much to the experienced marathoner, but most marathoners running Boston have spent too much energy earlier on in the race and fall face first into the Heartbreak Hill (Wall).
[source: Boston.com]
