Jones completes New York City Marathon
When Madison Jones stepped to the starting line of the New York City Marathon on Nov. 2, she wasn’t sure her goal was possible. She had trained for five months in the Texas summer heat, but the thought of running 26.2 miles in under four hours — something she had never attempted — still felt uncertain.
Jones, a 2014 graduate of Albany High School now living in Austin, powered across the finish line in 3:58:28 — a strong result in one of the toughest and most iconic races in the world.
“It didn’t feel real until I stopped running,” Jones said with a laugh. “The moment I looked at my watch and knew I’d done it, it felt surreal.”
A hometown runner on the world’s biggest stage
The New York City Marathon is widely considered the largest and best marathon in the world, hosting more than 50,000 runners through all five boroughs. Runners must qualify by achieving a fast race time, securing a spot through a lottery system, or joining a charity team. Jones earned her entry by raising $3,500 for FORCE, a nonprofit that supports families facing hereditary cancers.
That mission — combined with support from fellow runners and friends — carried her through an unforgettable day that began long before the starting horn.
Jones had to navigate a combination of subway rides, a Staten Island ferry and waiting areas packed with runners grouped by starting waves. She stood at the front of Wave Four, a unique moment where she was at the front of the pack at the starting line.
Jones said her training in the Central Texas heat helping her power through race-day challenges — including several steep bridges and the dreaded mile-20 wall familiar to marathoners everywhere.
“It wasn’t until mile 24 that I realized, ‘Wait, I might actually break four hours,’” she said. “Those last miles were a race against myself.”
She said she planned to stop and hug friends and family along the route — potentially costing valuable seconds — but ultimately felt the energy of the crowd push her forward.
“It felt like we were all trying to break four together,” she said. “Everyone around me was fighting for that same finish.”
A moment she won’t forget
After she crossed the line, Jones said exhaustion and joy hit at once.
“I was just so happy I didn’t have to run anymore,” she said. “Finishing knowing I achieved the goal made every step worth it.”
Jones carried a personal reminder into the race, writing “mist” on her hand based on James 4:14. “We are here for a second and then gone,” she said, noting that the Lord is the one who allows any opportunity we have in this life — including the gift of running the New York Marathon.
What’s next?
Jones, who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in 2024, said this year’s “big challenge” was the marathon. She isn’t certain whether another one will be in her future.
“It’s hard to imagine doing it anywhere other than somewhere magical,” she said. “New York was so magical.”
For now, the Albany native continues her work as a freelance designer in Austin — and enjoys knowing she completed one of the toughest and most celebrated endurance events in the world.
“It’s a day I’ll never forget,” she said. “It’s part of who I am now.”
