Four TRACCIES hit the road for Germany with two clear missions: conquer the Berlin Marathon and provide world-class course support.
For Jo, the stakes were high. Jo was running to claim her highly coveted 6th Abbot World Marathon Major Star. Joining her on the start line was Nikki, determined to take on the 26.2-mile course with a different strategy: strictly for fun, with absolutely zero time pressure. Meanwhile, Jon and Chris took up their positions as the ultimate support crew.
Under warm, sunny skies, the runners navigated the pre-race ritual—including multiple nervous toilet visits—before settling into the starting pens. After an agonizing wait and an energizing round of Icelandic clapping, the race was finally underway!
Jo’s Race: The Road to the 6th Star
“I started right at the pace I’d hoped for and locked it in for the first 30km. After that, things didn’t go quite to plan, but I dug deep. I ended up crossing the line with my second-fastest marathon ever—but more importantly, I secured exactly what I came for: my 6th Star!”
The ‘Fun Run’ That Became a Battle
“This was meant to be a relaxed run, but I just couldn’t settle into a rhythm. After a nice early boost from Chris and Jon at 10km, the real struggle began. As the heat rose, it became a brutal mental battle between my head and my body, backdropped by the deafening crunch of plastic cups underfoot. I forced down water and electrolytes, eventually switching into ‘jeffing’ mode just to keep moving.”
The Power of Support
The race belonged just as much to the supporters. Jon and Chris were spectacular, shouting loudly enough to pierce through the roaring Berlin crowds. At the 40km mark, when both runners were deep in the pain cave, the boys stepped up. Jon jumped in to run alongside Jo, and Chris spotted Nikki in survival mode, running a few hundred metres to pull them through.
Seeing the iconic Brandenburg Gate with just 400 metres to go was pure relief. While it wasn’t the ‘fun run’ originally planned, it was a massive mental victory.
The trip concluded in the best way possible: the four TRACCIES reunited to celebrate an incredible club achievement with plenty of cocktails and champagne!
Ruby’s Race
I ran Berlin as one of the majors as I hope to achieve the 6 star medal. It wasn’t the outcome I had hoped for but a star nonetheless. Well done to all the traccies who ran!
Ruby Jones
