Aaron Woolley, is a SGL (small group learning) facilitator in Bond University's medical program and the principal physiotherapist at Robina Physiotherapy.
In April 2025, he completed the world's most prestigious and oldest marathon event, The Boston Marathon.
Here is his account of the life changing experience.
"I’ve always loved running.
“As a former Olympic distance triathlete, pushing my body to the limit was once second nature but when I chose to focus on my university studies at age 23, I thought I had left competitive racing behind.
“I’d keep running to keep myself active and found it very helpful to stay happy and healthy both physically and mentally.
“It wasn’t until 2022 when I competed in an ultra-marathon with my cousin that the competitive spark was reignited.
“I’d never actually run a marathon, so I figured why not check that off my bucket list?
“I started training for marathons in 2023 and once I began, I realised I might be able to push myself beyond just finishing the race and actually try and qualify for The Boston Marathon.
“The Boston Marathon is the oldest road marathon in the world, and one of the most prestigious. It really is the pinnacle race in the marathon world as it’s not just about meeting a qualifying time, it’s about beating it.
“In 2024, you needed to be nearly eight minutes faster than the qualifying standard to even get a spot. I gave it my all at the Gold Coast Marathon and finished in 2:55. That was my ticket in.
“When I arrived in Boston, I was blown away by how awesome the city is. It was Spring and everything was in bloom and the city was clean and safe. The locals love this event.
“The marathon is held on the Patriots’ Day holiday and the entire city comes to life.
“On race morning 30,000 runners are piled into school buses to be driven 42km out of the city to Hopkinton, the starting point. The whole area is electric and everyone is buzzing, knowing we’d be running all the way back into the heart of the city.
The course is tough. The Newton Hills, especially the infamous Heartbreak Hill at 34km is brutal.
Thankfully the weather was perfect: clear skies, light breeze, and cool temperatures between 8–15°C. I went through halfway in 1:25, feeling strong but around the 26km mark, cramps hit hard. Again, at 36km. It slowed me, and I knew a sub-3-hour finish had slipped away. But for me the most important part was soaking up and enjoying the experience, getting a good time would have just been icing on top.
The experience that I was chasing did not disappoint. The crowd along the way is nothing short of mind blowing. Imagine running down the finishing chute of any other major race in Australia… the cheers, the energy, but for the entire 42.2km distance. The support was non-stop. Spectators were ten deep along the whole course, cheering and screaming at every competitor who passed and by the time I finished I reckon I had high-fived at least a few thousand of them..
Wellesley College was insane — the student roar was deafening. On Heartbreak Hill, the crowd lifted us up with pure adrenaline.
At the Citgo sign, just one mile to go, it felt like the entire city had spilled onto the streets in one massive party.
Then came Boylston Street. A sharp right, a quick left, and suddenly there it was: the finish line.
The noise was overwhelming. You run past the Boston Marathon bombing memorials, a moment of reflection and then it hits you, I ran through the finish line with a time of 3:03. I did it. I threw my arms out, looked up at the sky for a moment and made sure I soaked it all up as much as I could.
I don’t normally care too much about getting a finishers medal, but this one was different, it felt so good to get that medal and everyone wore their medals with pride around the city.
After the race everyone you walked past wanted to congratulate you. When I walked into a local Irish pub for a celebratory beer the entire pub paused to clap and cheer for every runner who walked in.
Before doing the race, I didn’t fully comprehend how big and special this event is. It was such an amazing milestone, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The atmosphere and how the whole city gets behind the race made the experience more special than I could have ever imagined.”