Is it ever just chatting? Or is it always planting seeds?
In 2016 after completing my first half in Sydney I watched a fellow RMA & friend Emma, complete her 2nd Marathon for the year, we got chatting afterwards and she planted that seed that I too, one day, could do a Marathon. It took me a whole year, and to complete the 10k at the Sydney event, 2017, to even enter such a feat, though the very next day I entered my first marathon for 2018. Whilst at the start line for that race I got chatting with 2 amazing women who were on a quest to complete a marathon in every state and territory of Australia. Well yet again another seed planted.
Fast Forward to Sunday 12th April 2026 and I’m about to complete my 10th official Marathon (in Canberra), with minimal training due to injuries & lack of motivation, it happens when you haven’t been able to run, I knew this one was going to be tough, I also knew I could do hard things; because not only have I done all those marathons but I’ve also completed UTA 50 & Bondi to Manly Solo.
I went in with a race plan of intervals walk 1km / run 1km as I knew I would need to save my legs early on if I was going to get to the end, km 10 was feeling good despite this being the longest distance I had done in a while, km 16 was feeling a blister but pushed on, as to not waste what precious time I had, km 21 and I was cheering as I was halfway, and I was feeling good still. Km 26 got a horrible cramp in my foot, and couldn’t run I thought oh know it’s to early for this to happen so I pulled out the cramp ease bottle and took a swig it tasted horrible but worked instantly yes relief back to running, km 28 and I said to myself 2/3 done 1/3 to go, I could feel chafe from my crop top at this stage but again I pushed on. I had seen my friend Jason a couple of times which urged me to keep going, km 30 and I thought about what my friend Roxy, had told me when she reached this point in the Disney Marathon, she hopped on a roller coaster, I thought -wow wish I was hopping on a roller coaster right now.. Km 32 yes only 2 parkruns left, yes because I sometimes measure in parkruns! km 36 and I was so over the hills and gustily winds. I was done wanted it to just be over. I knew I was so close to finishing that I reminded myself to dig deep and just keep going. I was so happy to reach 41km and somehow was about to complete yet another marathon and almost finish this amazing goal I had set myself. With my awesome friend Roxy waiting for me at the finish line I ran into her arms where she gave me a big hug, & then put the medal around my neck it’s such a special moment especially when it’s somebody you know.
It’s been a long time coming with many blisters, tears, training runs, workouts, physio, chafe, (despite anti chafe being used), rock tape, guilt, elation, ups & downs.
Yet here I am with only WA left to complete this ultimate goal. So far I have managed to complete;
NSW; Sydney Marathon September 2018, 2022 & 2023
Western Sydney Marathon July 2019
Victoria; Melbourne Marathon October 2019
Tasmania; Cadbury Marathon January 2020
An unofficial marathon during Covid where I ran 1km on the hour every hour for 42km / 42hrs (yes I’m a bit crazy like that).
South Australia; Coastal Fun Run Marathon January 2024
Northern Territory; Outback Marathon July 2024
QLD; Gold Coast July 2025
ACT; Canberra April 2026
This is probably not the way I originally planned it, as yes I sat many a days trying to figure it all out, when you complete 3 marathons within 7 months you are motivated and enjoying the process, then the world turns to crap you loose focus and drive, I also was very sick 2021 so that doesn’t help. I’m glad I’m back on track even if it has taken me way longer than I wanted it too.
Hopefully WA Perth in October 2027 if all goes to plan, tried to get in this year but it’s already sold out.
Not to mention countless other smaller & larger runs along the way did a lot of kms during Covid and lots of other events as well.
“I have an abundance of medals that I’m so proud to have earned.”
Jenny is a member of the RMA community and lives in New South Wales