Airds man Joel Etherington completes his first-ever marathon in New York with Indigenous Marathon Project

After never having run a marathon in his life, a proud Indigenous man decided to take on the challenge by participating in one of the world’s most iconic races – the New York Marathon.

Joel Etherington after finishing the New York marathon.

After never having run a marathon in his life, a Sydney dad decided to take on the challenge by participating in one of the world’s most iconic races – the New York Marathon.

Joel Etherington, a proud Yuin, Kurnai and Palawa man and a father of one, spent a lot of his childhood moving around Macarthur region and the South Coast as his mum battled with addiction.

“There wasn’t a day we weren’t outside and Nan would come out with this big whistle to tell us all to come inside,” he said fondly of his childhood.

Now, a 27-year-old man he lives in Airds and works between two to three jobs as a fitness instructor, construction worker and support worker.

Living by the philosophy of taking whatever opportunities come his way, Mr Etherington decided to take part in the Indigenous Marathon Project and set his sights on the New York Marathon as his very first one.

Joel Etherington on his first trip overseas for his marathon.

Out of more than 100 applicants, Mr Etherington made the squad of 12 and began the gruelling six-month training to be ready.

“It was six weeks wok then a 10km run in Canberra, then another six weeks again and you do a 21km run on the Gold Coast,” he said.

He trained for six months, and travelled to different parts of Australia for the qualifiers.

“Then you did another six-week block again before you do a 25km in your home base, so I did one in Airds and then another six weeks before 30km in Alice Springs and then a final six weeks before you run the New York Marathon.”

Working at F45, Mr Etherington was already fit, but he stressed that “running fit” was a whole other level that required a lot of mental dedication while training six days a week.

He said he had to sacrifice a lot, including going from working three jobs to two and added the support of his partner was instrumental, especially when it came to getting up for early morning runs.

Then the big day finally came and on November 5, Mr Etherington lined up with more than 50,000 people to run the New York Marathon. He smashed it out in three hours, 54 minutes and 24 seconds – nearly six minutes under his goal of four hours.

“I have never even been out of the country and just being around all these people and listening to the cannon fire and you could feel the boom go through your body,” he said.

“It was incredible and the crowd were so supportive, kids and adults were giving me high-five’s and encouraging me.”

While his focus is recovery, Mr Etherington said he would likely be back with the goal to finish in under three and a half hours, but the trip had also sparked a desire to travel the world more to experience it.