A runner’s first New York City marathon turned into an unforgettable experience thanks to a surprise at mile 17.
Just two days before the race, Maddison Nicholas had spoken with her mom, Susan, who lived in Arizona. “I knew that if she wasn’t already on a flight, they definitely weren’t coming,” she recalled.
Despite that, Maddison was excited about the race and grateful for her parents’ support from afar. “I felt exhilarated,” she said. “Running a marathon is an incredible accomplishment.”
As she pressed on through the course, from Staten Island to Brooklyn and Queens, and then over the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan, mile 17 brought an unexpected twist. “It’s hard to describe all the emotions I felt,” she shared. “Running a marathon is already emotional, but seeing my parents surprise me at mile 17 was a moment I’ll never forget!”
Overcome with emotion, Maddison found renewed energy from their presence. “I was uncontrollable,” she said. “I had to finish the race, knowing I could hug them at the end!”
Reflecting on the surprise, Maddison expressed her gratitude. “I don’t know how they pulled it off, but their support was the greatest gift in the world,” she said. “I felt like the luckiest girl alive.”
Leave a Reply