My marathon journey started in 2019 when I went to an information event (in Brisbane) held by Adventure Time Travel/Anna in regard to the New York Marathon. It was to be the 50th Anniversary of the marathon (& I wanted to do the marathon before I turned 60 in 2021) and Anna’s enthusiasm for this event was contagious and I signed up with Adventure Time Travel the next day.

So I found a running coach and started my marathon training… then Covid hit the world, and everything was shut down. Devastating to say the least. So that dream was put on hold until 2023 when I rebooked with Adventure Time Travel and restarted my marathon training. Getting swooped on by the magpies on my runs definitely made my run faster for sure.

I also wanted to show my 8 grandkids that age is just a number, and you can do hard things if you put in the work physically and mentally.

So I finally got to New York late October 2023 and Anna & her team couldn’t have been more welcoming. They organised extra events for us all, including New York theatre tickets, ice hockey shows and training runs around Central Park.

The marathon day itself is one I will never forget. The people of New York are amazing. The cheering, the enthusiasm they have for you is just wonderful. I think about the race everyday and that is why I have rebooked with Adventure Time Travel for the Berlin 2024 Marathon, as I wouldn’t trust anyone else to organise such a smooth, worry free and welcoming marathon adventure.

Bring on BERLIN 2024!

– Joanna Budge