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Marathon2024 TCS New York City Marathon Recap
travelogue
Thank you to all our amazing runners and supporters for making the 2024 New York City Marathon a truly unforgettable experience! On behalf of Anna and the entire Adventure Time Travel team, we were thrilled to share this adventure with you.
Our journey kicked off with a night full of laughter at the Welcome Dinner at the Westside Comedy Club. It was the perfect way to relax, meet new friends, and enjoy four fantastic comedians—all just a short walk from the hotel, ideal for our jet-lagged guests. The next day, we set off on an incredible tour of the marathon course, winding through all five boroughs. Guides Jim and Robert brought the route to life with fascinating stories and insider tips, setting everyone up with knowledge to savor on race day.
One of the highlights of the week was seeing our entire team featured on a giant Times Square billboard! Dressed up for Halloween, we stopped traffic and reveled in the magic of seeing our faces lit up in the heart of New York City. Central Park also held special moments as Robert and Jim led a scenic tour of its breathtaking paths, sharing the park’s rich history and charm.
Our team then headed to the Opening Ceremony, where the world unites on the grand stage of the marathon finish line to celebrate together in the Parade of Nations. This year was especially memorable, with some of our team members participating in the parade. A particularly proud moment came when our very own Andrew Zammit was chosen as the flag bearer for Australia—a truly incredible honor!
On Saturday, our team enjoyed an exclusive Race Course Information session provided by the New York Road Runners. This deep dive offered invaluable insights and race-day tips, helping our runners feel fully prepared. After the session, we captured the moment with team photos in Central Park, where everyone shared their excitement, nerves, and encouragement over the challenges ahead. The Pasta Dinner that evening was the perfect place to bond and exchange stories about the upcoming race.
Sunday morning started early, with everyone making their way to Staten Island. As a special Adventure Time Travel treat, our runners had the comfort of a warm hotel, a hearty breakfast, and private bathrooms—no chilly, hours-long wait in porta-loos with the other 50,000 runners! We then escorted each wave to the start area, fully prepared and in great spirits.
At the starting line, excitement and anticipation filled the air as Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” played, and the cannon boomed, signaling the start. Our runners set off with determination, moving through the vibrant streets of New York in one of the most iconic marathons in the world.
With 95 runners taking on the challenge in perfect running conditions, we’re thrilled that all of you crossed the finish line 42.2 kilometers later in iconic Central Park.
The week leading up to the marathon was packed with memorable experiences, from the comedy club welcome, course tours, and Central Park walks to the Shake Out run with Kelly Roberts and the Badass Lady Gang. Our Aussie runners even stole the show at the Parade of Nations, proudly representing with kangaroo costumes and Aussie spirit!
After crossing the finish line, our Celebration Dinner at Rosie O’Grady’s was the perfect way to wrap up the adventure, share race stories, and toast to an epic journey. We loved having you with us this week and can’t wait to welcome you back for more unforgettable marathon memories!
Until next time, keep the spirit alive, and we look forward to cheering you on in the next chapter of your marathon journey. Thank you for being part of this amazing experience with us!
Testimonials
Carly: I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Anna & her team for this incredible experience. This was more than just a journey, the ups and downs along the way truly made the race unforgettable.
Everything was perfectly organized, with every detail thoughtfully taken care of to make the trip seamless.
Richard: Dear Anna and team. You have nailed this experience for your clients. Navigating the logistics of the NYC marathon was made so easy and it would have been challenging doing it solo. I came for a PR but got so much more. The sense of community in the group regardless of age, experience and times was something I was not expecting but it truely enhanced the trip. I had time to myself to prepare for the best possible race and at the same time participated in some great group activities. The accommodation was first rate. I highly recommend ATT and the NYC marathon for anyone looking for a once in a life time experience. I will be back for sure. Thank you so much for the opportunity to travel with you. I had a blast!!!!
James: I highly recommend Anna and the Adventure Time Travel (ATT) team! I’ve traveled with ATT for both the 2019 and 2024 TCS New York City Marathons, and each experience was fantastic. Anna and her team go above and beyond to manage every detail of your trip, making the entire marathon journey smooth and enjoyable.
Their personal approach and dedication ensure you can focus on your race while they handle everything else. If you’re considering tackling a
‘marathon’ adventure, look no further than Anna and ATT!
Mark: New York Marathon 2024 – Can’t believe how amazing this trip was. Anna and her team have been a great job in organising, facilitating and providing an experience that will last a lifetime.
I have met so many wonderful people with incredible stories. Big thank you also to the awesome foursome for the race day support.
Let’s face it, which other tour operator would be able to get your face on a billboard in Time Square?
Can’t recommend highly enough! Worth every second of the experience.
N’Tonya: What a whirlwind in New York!!!
I just finished the NYC Marathon—my 3rd in 9 weeks and 5th in a year (turning 50 was a motivator 🤔). I caught a cold right before, but the NYC crowd was amazing and helped me match my time from last year. I ran with the awesome Carly Button, breaking it down into 5km segments and high 5’ing hundreds of people. Felt rough in the last 2km, but hey, 42km is no joke 😂.
Big thanks to Anna Liptak and Adventure Time Travel for believing in me and changing my life ❤️. Also, huge appreciation for my Saturday morning running crew and the 100+ Aussie runners I supported with ATT 💕. Special shoutout to Kimberly Davis, James Wakelin, Tina Stafford, Jody Bund, Anne-Marie Matthews, and Marilla Bryce for sharing this journey.
NYC, you were incredible! From seeing our faces on a Times Square billboard to catching Tom Hanks and Drew Barrymore, the Michael Jackson musical, Artechouse, and Little Island—plus being there during the election (WTF Trump?? 😳). Unforgettable memories 💕.
Race Report
Here’s a recap of an incredible week in New York through the eyes of Andrea Dooney aka Slow Coach. This was taken from Andrea’s longer report which can be found on Facebook.
“Writing this has been tough—it’s nearly impossible to sum up one incredible day. But here goes!
New York has always felt magical to me, and the Marathon seemed like the ultimate challenge. Over time, that goal became clear, and eventually, ten of us from the Slow Coach community came together to make it happen.
The days leading up to the race were a joyful blur. Our tour organisers, Adventure Time Travel welcomed us with dinners, a bus tour of the course, and a private breakfast before the start—comforting touches that helped calm our nerves.
Race day began in darkness, woken by the hotel at 3 a.m., but soon enough we were en route to Staten Island. Security was intense, and the start village felt surreal as we waited for our wave. The moment the canons fired, I was filled with emotion, crossing the Verrazano Bridge with 53,000 others, laughter, and awe as the New York skyline opened up.
Brooklyn’s crowds were electrifying—people cheering, tambourines clanging, signs waving. The straight stretch through the city felt endless yet exhilarating. We entered each new borough with fresh energy, each neighborhood cheering us forward. At one point, I ran into my best friend, Sally. We shared painkillers, laughs, and even a sandwich break. It wasn’t about speed; it was about relishing the marathon, high-fiving spectators, dancing to music, and feeling fully alive.
As we entered Central Park, twilight set in, yet the crowd stayed strong, cheering us to the finish. Crossing that line, I was overwhelmed—crying with joy, pride, and a deep sense of accomplishment.
This was my slowest marathon, yet it was the best. I felt more joy, made more memories, and got the race of my dreams. It wasn’t just my journey but a shared experience with my clients and New York itself. I feel validated and grateful beyond words.
New York, you were magnificent. Adventure Time Travel, you were fantastic. And to my Slowies, you were radiant. This marathon was everything I dreamed of and more.”
