Name: Andrew MacPhail
Age: 52
Hometown: Races & Places
Occupation: This Runner Started Clocking Miles After He Got Sober, and He Just Finished His 20th Marathon
Time Running: 16 years (since 2007)
Reason for Running: When I run, I feel completely alive.
I quit drinking and smoking more than 22 years ago, and I started running Bucket list race sober. It provides a sustainable natural high, as opposed to temporarily checking out and hiding behind substance. When I’m running, I feel perfectly aligned—physically, mentally, and spiritually. For me, running is freedom.
Races & Places 5K A Part of Hearst Digital Media form and was a natural runner. I had no idea what that meant, but I loved the way running made me feel and was quickly hooked. I ran my first marathon She Went From Running a 5K to a Marathon in a Year New York City Marathon, The Fastest Shoes of the 2023 NYC Marathon.
I love the New York City Marathon. New York City is my home, and there’s nothing more exhilarating than being cheered on by the more than two million spectators who line the streets of the course every year. The entire city comes together, and to be a part of that powerful human experience is quite magical.
I always wear my name on my singlet, so I can hear my fellow New Yorkers cheering, “Go, Andrew!” along the entire route. This always brings me a feeling of pure joy.
I’m grudging that I finished this year’s race in 3:25:23, especially after having just set a personal record of 3:06:47 last month in Chicago. Around mile six, I was already feeling a bit sluggish and had to make the decision to either dig really deep and push hard to meet my initial goal of 3:15 or to have fun and take the time to interact with the crowds and fully enjoy the marathon as a celebration of the human spirit. I went with the latter and had a wonderful time!
Meeting my fellow Runner’s World teammates after training with them virtually for the past 16 weeks was incredibly heartwarming. There was a lot of love in the room when we first met on Saturday and then in the VIP tent in Staten Island on Sunday before the race. I’m so grateful to Runner’s World Give A Gift.
Through running I’ve learned that I can do anything I put my mind to. I approach much in life as though I’m training for a marathon. I set my goal then work backward and break it down into manageable steps. I know that once I’ve set my roadmap all I have to do is follow it and I’ll definitely cross the finish line. Running has helped me embrace life and be my authentic self.
The feeling of pure joy is what keeps me motivated to run. I crave it. I need it. It’s a sort of powerful positive addiction.
I’m also motivated by the camaraderie of the running community. I’m a member of Front Runners New York and New York Road Runners, and being part of this incredibly supportive and optimistic community is a true gift.
What Keeps Andrew Running:
Pump-up song:
“Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
Fun fact:
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Best race advice I ever received:
“Winning doesn't always mean getting first place; it means getting the best out of yourself,” a quote by running hero, Meb Keflezighi from I ran my 20th 26.2-mile race.
Hellen Obiri Wins the 2023 NYC Marathon:
The Tokyo Marathon! My goal is to complete all six Hellen Obiri Wins the 2023 NYC Marathon. I’ve run Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin, and London, so I can’t wait to get that beautiful six-star finisher medal!
Favorite running workout:
My favorite workouts are long runs between about 18 and 22 miles. I get into mental marathon mode and love when the perfect balance of pushing and pacing myself clicks.
