I first contacted Anna sometime in late 2023 with interest in running the 2024 New York City Marathon. My running experience was limited to one half marathon in 2022 and the Sydney Marathon in 2023. I was keen to test myself again and thought the next one had to combine a life experience as well as a major marathon – NYC 2024 why not?

By the beginning of 2024 I was paid up and had 11 months to plan and train. It was clear early on that I was going to have the most amazing experience of a lifetime. The Adventure Time Travel team made regular contact with me during the year and were very organised. I chose the six day package with additional days either side. In the end I stayed in New York for two weeks after the race with family to really take advantage of travelling to the other side of the world for a marathon. I recommend, if you can, staying a little longer after the race. Many of the group did and few no doubt wish they had.

The accommodation on offer was excellent and both options looked inviting. I choose to stay at The Wallace and I would stay there again next time I come to New York for a holiday and/or another crack at the NYC Marathon. Both were perfectly situated on the Upper West Side and short walking distance to Central Park and the finish line. A must post race.

Soon after signing up, I hit a hurdle – plantar fasciitis decided to try and derail my preparation. Not one to give up without a fight I was on a stationary bike and didn’t run for a few months. I slowly started in June with a gradual build up. Fitness was building, as was my anticipation.

As the 3^rd of November approached, Anna and her team held numerous live in person/zoom sessions with information around logistics, itinerary, training and injury management. These provided useful information to really make the trip very smooth. With each meeting the excitement grew. Some attendees to these sessions had travelled with Anna to New York previously and hearing their stories of the event really gave an insight into what was ahead for those of us embarking on this for the first time. At the time I thought to myself – “really, is this going to live up to the hype?”

I arrived in New York (via Auckland) on Monday the 28^th of October. The Sydney – Auckland – New York route really proved to be an excellent way to fly in. I arrived at the hotel after sharing a cab ride with James Wakelin (social media guru of the trip) who had travelled with Anna several times including the 2018 NYC Marathon when he travelled with his late father and Anna’s mother, and they produced the “I’m Not a Runner” documentary. A truly inspirational watch a day or so before the race.

We arrived at the hotel at 5 pm and I was not long out the door and hit Central Park for my first feel of the city leading into marathon week. The park was already a buzz with locals and internationals and I could already sense big things were ahead.

As the week progressed more of the Adventure Time Travel group arrived. In all, roughly 90 runners and 30 odd supporters. Wednesday was the first group activity with dinner at a local comedy bar. A room full of largely jet-lagged Aussies listening to American comedians was an interesting start for many in the group. The highlight was not the comedians but an introduction to many of the people I would be sharing the next week with. From stories of cancer to mental health to multiple sclerosis and family tragedies, the room was full of amazing stories of courage and determination. There was a real sense of community spirit and encouragement for everyone involved. Some had travelled in groups raising money for various charities, some with families and some like myself solo. I was not expecting the great comradery of the group, and this really enhanced the experience. This was fostered by Anna and her team.

Over the next few days, I continued my solo runs in Central Park and experiencing the NYC life, trying to balance hours on my feet walking the city and trying to taper for the race. This was helped with a tour highlight: a bus tour of the first 25 km of the marathon from Staten Island to Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan. We had two buses with travel guides that gave great insights to Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens as well as other historical points of interest along the way.

Seeing the streets prior to the race was a great help, and stories along the way served as great historical insights. A highlight was travelling through the Jewish quarter known as the “silent mile” of the NYC marathon. The day ended with being dropped at the expo for bib pick up, a real event on its own. The expo was next level in terms of size and merchandising.

We also had a group meeting with New York Road Runners’ coaches giving us race tips and course tactics. Another bonus, along with a viewing of Anna’s “I’m Not a Runner”. Despite my initial lack of interest, I found myself truly inspired by a group of women and man (James’ dad) who I would not have identified with from initial previews. Just another unexpected bonus to the tour.

Halloween provided another opportunity for group activity with dressing up, dinners, and group photos in Times Square. No one does Halloween like New Yorkers. I then spent some of the evening in street parades in lower Manhattan.

Friday, another day in and out of Central Park. The finish line and stands were erected, the blue line was painted and the runners amassed. As I finished my last run, I saw an Aussie marathon legend, Rob De Castella pondering life at the finish line. I wish I had taken the opportunity for a photo. It was clear by now that this race was going to be one of the biggest events I was likely to experience in my life. The nerves were starting to set in. Although I was here for an experience, I was also looking to run as fast as possible for someone who had been pretty sedentary for 30 years leading into the last three years. Now aged 53, I had my eye on a Boston Qualifying time for April 2026 but unsure how realistic this was going to be.

Some of the group spent Saturday morning at the 5k dash and a group of us spent the afternoon at MJ The Musical, another addition organised by Anna which really enhanced the trip. Saturday night the group sat down to pasta/pizza night to end the carb loading prior to race day.

Sunday morning arrived and the week had gone. We were up at 4 am, in the bus and off to Staten Island for a group breakfast before a short bus trip into Fort Wadsworth. At breakfast I met another group of runners all with time aspirations around mine; and some better.

I was loaded up with gels, electrolytes and clothes ready to discard at the start line. The start line village was buzzing and the languages were numerous. It was all about to begin. Several trips to the thousands of available portaloos and I was ready to give it my best shot. At around 9 degrees Celius the weather could not have been better. With a rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner, the cannon fired and off we went up The Verrazano Bridge to the sounds of Frank Sinatra’s “New York New York”. It was busy but the field slowly spread, and I found my rhythm although it was a little slower than I had planned. Everyone had told me don’t worry but I can’t lie I was wondering if it was really too slow. How wrong I was.

It was not long before I hit the sounds of Brooklyn. No one can really prepare you for the crowds. I had been told and I had seen footage on social media but none of this prepared me for what was ahead. The crowd was loud and constant. There were signs, there were bands, there were house parties along the route and screaming kids and it was non stop. It was truly deafening at times. Early on my plantar fascia pain had decided to return with vengeance but it was the crowds that got me through.

N’Tonya from ATT had told everyone her plan was to see how many high fives with the crowd she could reach. That didn’t seem to me a way to run a PB and was not in my race plan, but as foot pain started to take control of my mind, I had to find a distraction. So, 8 km into the race I moved to the side of the road and started high fiving every banner and kid who had their hand out. There were plenty and I did this for the first half of the race through Brooklyn and into Queens. I suspect the count would have been well over fifty but no doubt N’Tonya doubled that.

By half way my mind had settled and the pain had, too. Half way through and I was on pace (1:39:58). I was feeling good moving onto the Pulaski Bridge and started to push the pace. Next was the silence of the Queensboro Bridge and as I pushed the pace up to the top of the incline I let out a large shout. Many runners joined in and the echo broke the sounds of the footsteps with no spectators. Soon enough, as I descended the bridge, the noise of 1^st Avenue and Manhattan crowds could be heard.

A short loop later and I was in Manhattan with a small group of ATT cheerleaders awaiting. The long straight of 1^st Avenue lay ahead. The road was wider than in Brookyln but the crowds were just as deafening. I continued to push, spurred on by the crowds, and then entered the Bronx for a short period before heading back into Manhattan.

Before hitting the park, the toughest part of the course was ahead: an uphill mile along 5^th Avenue. It started to hurt for the first time. It wasn’t long before I hit Central Park as I searched for the 40 km marker – it seemed to take forever to hit. Back out of the park and uphill towards Columbus Circle and into the park for the last time. Again uphill, but now the finish line was ahead. I crossed the line, arms raised (for the cameras of course) and I was done – 3 hours 17 minutes and 30 seconds – an almost 20 minute PB.

I had done it, the most amazing experience of a lifetime (outside the obvious family milestones of marriages, births etc). This truly was an unforgettable moment. New Yorkers had come out and they did not disappoint. Draped in my medal and poncho I made my way out of the park and back to the hotel. A few bagels along the way didn’t go amiss.

One by one the ATT runners came in, with messages and photos of finishers hitting the group chat. Regardless of times, everyone expressed amazing personal experiences.

A few hours later, James and I were settling into a couple of beers before heading out to the team dinner where we reminisced on the day, hearing about individual challenges and stories and celebrating a truly unbelievable experience. There were laughs and some tears but everyone celebrated the amazing achievements of the group.

I was in the mood to party, although my legs may not have been. As the numbers dwindled James, Anna and myself had a quiet final drink on a roof top bar overlooking the city skyline. An amazing end to a truly unforgettable day.

Many left the next day while the city remained a buzz with medal-wearing runners. A few stayed around to witness the 2024 election, another late night with the ATT team, and as everyone departed my family flew in for another two weeks of experiencing the NYC atmosphere.

This was truly a once in a lifetime experience. If you are looking for a smooth, well-planned and enhanced experience you can’t go wrong with Anna and her team. From the lead-up prior to travelling, to the pre-race NYC experience, to getting to the start line and post-race celebrations, you can’t go past Adventure Time Travel. Anna and her team made it possible to focus on the race while enjoying a group experience along the way. I could do my own thing and prepare for the race my way and have time with the group for some unexpected but truly memorable experiences. It was literally hassle free thanks to the organisation of Anna and her team.

I have made it to Boston 2026!!!! I hope to be back with Anna sooner rather than later. The only downside is that it will be difficult to trump this experience. I can’t recommend Anna, the ATT team and the NYC marathon more highly. See you soon Anna and ATT in Sydney 2025!!!!!