More than 50,000 people will be taking part in this weekend’s New York Marathon and each of them has a story.
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For Raisa Kolesnikova, it’s a story of how running has given her a new outlook on life.
The 60-year-old Dubbo acupuncturist is getting ready for her third iconic marathon after only really getting into running five years ago.
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“If you’re not a runner you don’t realise what it feels like when you cross that line,” she said.
“It’s absolutely beautiful and running is just the best therapy for relaxation as well.”
The New York Marathon is also the next step on Kolesnikova’s journey towards completing the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
The Abbott program consists of six iconic marathon races and when an athlete completes all of those they are awarded a ‘Star Six Finishers’ medal.
Kolesnikova found out about the Abbott series when running in Boston.
“I was in the lift with people from Italy and France and they all had these medals,” she said.
I started feeling so relaxed, calm, happy and energetic.
- Raisa Kolesnikova on running
“I did research and I told my husband ‘this is it’ and I’m really going to travel and do it. I just applied for Berlin and London next year and then I’ll do Chicago and I would have done my world one.
“I’m hoping to finish off in two years while I’m still fit and healthy.”
Kolesnikova knows not many people expect someone of her age to be completing marathons, but she is a picture of a message she preaches to others. Someone who has been inspired by the stories and books about other runners, Kolesnikova now wants to set an example.
Someone who speaks over and over about the benefits of movement and exercise, Kolesnikova stated if the more people move the flow-on effects can impact their friends and family, the community and, in turn, the country.
“I really want people to know age is not an issue, everyone should be moving,” she said.
“My goal is when I’m 80 to run a New York Marathon again and there’s 80-year-olds doing it now and they finish in six-and-a-half hours.
“That’s still pretty good. Not many people would even go to that start line and someone 80 can start and finish. I really admire people who have that kind of desire and determination.”
It’s plenty of hard work though and Kolesnikova admits there’s plenty she’s had to give up in order to achieve the goal she set herself.
On an average week she will run 80km, go to the gym four times, and also take part in three boot camp sessions.
“After work I could go home and put my feet up and watch TV while having dinner but instead I go to the gym to do strength work,” she said.
“Everyone would love to sleep in on a Sunday morning but I get up and do my four hour long run. In the winter time I hate the cold but I still drag myself out.
“But once I start I just love it. I know I have a dream and a goal I want to reach and I just want to do well. I’m a competitive person so I don’t want to finish last.”
The New York Marathon starts from 9.50am local time on Sunday, which is 12.50am on Monday AEST.
Kolesnikova isn’t the only Dubbo-based runner, with John Hill taking part for the Indigenous Marathon Project.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
