Narragansett Man Aims to Conquer 'Heartbreak Hill' at Boston Marathon

Thawn Harris hopes to follow in the footsteps of his great uncle, legendary Boston Marathon winner Ellison 'Tarzan' Brown.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 3:52am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a runner climbing a steep hill, the scene fractured into overlapping planes of vibrant red, brown, and blue colors, capturing the energy and determination of the athlete's journey.A Narragansett runner's determined ascent of the legendary 'Heartbreak Hill' at the Boston Marathon, honoring his tribe's enduring running legacy.Providence Today

Thawn Harris, a member of the Narragansett Indian Tribe, is preparing to run the Boston Marathon for the first time. Harris grew up hearing stories about his great uncle, Ellison 'Tarzan' Brown, who won the Boston Marathon in 1936 after famously overtaking the leader near the infamous 'Heartbreak Hill.' Now Harris hopes to conquer that same hill and honor his tribe's running legacy.

Why it matters

The Boston Marathon is one of the world's most prestigious running events, and Harris' participation represents an opportunity to celebrate the rich running tradition of the Narragansett people. His journey also aims to inspire young people in his community to get active and pursue their athletic dreams.

The details

Harris has spent months training to complete the 26.2-mile course. He is running as part of a charity called Ohketeau, which provides bibs to indigenous runners in New England who often face financial hurdles to participate. Harris is also raising money and dedicating part of his run to his younger cousin who was recently diagnosed with leukemia.

  • The 130th Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026.
  • In 1936, Ellison 'Tarzan' Brown won the Boston Marathon after overtaking the leader near 'Heartbreak Hill'.

The players

Thawn Harris

A member of the Narragansett Indian Tribe who is preparing to run the Boston Marathon for the first time, inspired by the legacy of his great uncle, legendary Boston Marathon winner Ellison 'Tarzan' Brown.

Ellison 'Tarzan' Brown

A member of the Narragansett Indian Tribe who won the Boston Marathon in 1936, famously overtaking the leader near the infamous 'Heartbreak Hill' and going on to win the race.

Johnny Kelley

The reigning Boston Marathon champion in 1936 who was overtaken by Ellison 'Tarzan' Brown near 'Heartbreak Hill', an event that reportedly motivated Brown to retake the lead and win the race.

Ohketeau

A charity that provides bibs to indigenous runners throughout New England to help them participate in the Boston Marathon, as they often face financial hurdles.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Every Narragansett child grows up hearing those stories, and when we're running through the woods, we are thinking we are Tarzan Brown. He's a legend.”

— Thawn Harris

“I can't wait to climb that hill myself. I imagine the feeling that's going to be filling me up when I reach the crest of that hill … I'm not running alone. I'm running for our people, with ancestors of mine pushing me from the back.”

— Thawn Harris

“It is truly overwhelming. At times in my training, when I was at a low, I said, 'You've got to keep pushing' because I'm not just running this race for me. I feel like I'm running this race for my entire tribe.”

— Thawn Harris

“I also hope to inspire my students to get out there and be active, to run, to push their body, as well as young people within my tribal community.”

— Thawn Harris, Physical education teacher at The Met School in Providence

What’s next

The 130th Boston Marathon will be run on Monday, April 20, 2026, where Thawn Harris will attempt to conquer 'Heartbreak Hill' and honor his great uncle's legacy.

The takeaway

Thawn Harris' journey to run the Boston Marathon represents the enduring running tradition of the Narragansett people and an opportunity to inspire the next generation of indigenous athletes to pursue their dreams.