Pre-Marathon youth race slated April 19 in Newton

The city of Newton's 17th annual Heartbreak Hill International Youth Race will be held Sunday, April 19 - the day before the Boston Marathon - from noon to 3 p.m.

Sponsored by the Newton Pride Committee, the Mayor's Office for Cultural Affairs and the city's Parks and Recreation Department, the mile-long race is open for youth ages 9-18 and adults age 19 and over.

Included in the prizes are trophies for the first three finishers in each age bracket, medallions and certificates for all participants, commemorative T-shirts for the first 1,000 entrants.

Dedicated to Marathon legend Johnny Kelley, whose statue stands along the youth race course at Heartbreak Hill, on Commonwealth Avenue, the race will also honor the all-state championship Newton South High girls cross country team. Their coach, Steve McChesney, will be the keynote speaker at the prerace pizza and pasta dinner for all registered runners and their families on Saturday, April 18 at 5:30 p.m. at Newton City Hall.

Registration for the race, which also includes competition for wheelchair athletes and a Family Walk that concludes the festivities, can be done online at www.newtonpride.org.

Applications can also be obtained at Newton City Hall and Newton Free Library.

For information on registration fees or to apply by mail, call the Newton Pride Committee at 617-527-8283 or 617-796-1540