Taken from the Bendigo Advertiser

Bendigo runner Jy Pertzel tackled the famous marathon on Sunday (Monday morning Australian time) with former Bendigo residents Brad Wood and Brendan Fraser.

Another Bendigo runner Brett Houlden also took part.

Brad Wood posted the fastest time of three hours, 17 minutes and 59 seconds.

Mr Fraser finished in 3:58.05, Mr Pertzel 4:26.37 and Mr Houlden 5:51.03.

Mr Pertzel said New York was an amazing place at marathon time.

“An amazing place, amazing people… it’s very hard to describe and am so glad I could finish,” he said.

Mr Fraser described running the marathon as a truly amazing experience.

“It was an unbelievable experience. I laughed, I cried…I hurt,” he said.

Mr Fraser said his aim was to break four hours and he did that with a few minutes to spare.

Mr Woods said taking part in the marathon was an incredible experience.

“Words will never do justice to what I have experienced today. Very lucky to be part of a such an amazing event. Still can’t believe it. – Brad Wood”

“Words will never do justice to what I have experienced today. Very lucky to be part of a such an amazing event,” he said.

“Still can’t believe it.”

Mr Wood said Mr Pertzel’s effort given recent hip surgery was a great effort.

The New York City marathon attracted 48,000 runners this year with Kenyans Geoffrey Mutai and Priscah Jeptoo winning.Mr Mutai won the men’s event in 2:08.23 while Ms Jeptoo took the women’s crown in 2:25.07.

More than 115 nations were represented in the marathon which was run under strict security given the terrorist attack on the Boston Marathon earlier this year.

Mr Pertzel is a former Golden Square Football Club player and now president while Mr Wood and Mr Fraser also represented the Bulldogs at senior level.

The trio revealed last week they would wear the teal-coloured signature T-shirts of the Suicide Prevention Awareness Network central Victoria group to raise awareness of the cause on a world stage.

All three men have held an ambition to run the New York City Marathon.

“It’s a life long dream with a sense of personal achievement,” Mr Pertzel said.

“Definitely a bucket list dream I’ve always had and just looking forward to double double burgers after the run,” Mr Fraser said.

“After being in New York in 2007 when the marathon was on, I always harboured the ambition of running in it one day,” Mr Wood said.

Mr Wood said the marathon was dominating New York.

“After being in New York now for 24 hours, the entire city is in marathon mode and the vibe of the place is amazing,” Mr Wood said.

“All the locals wishing you all the best has been a really satisfying part.

“It’s looking cold on Sunday but I don’t think it will matter. We are all looking forward to competing, finishing and the party afterwards.”

Mr Pertzel will be contesting his fourth marathon having already completed the Melbourne run and Gold Coast event twice.

Mr Wood run the Canberra Marathon in 2010 while Mr Fraser is facing his first endurance test.

Mr Wood said the trio had no real personal expectation except for competing.
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“Jy had a hip operation in June, so his preparation has been hindered but has got himself into shape reasonably well,” Mr Wood said.

Mr Wood and Mr Fraser have spent the past year training for the event with personal trainer and former Fitzroy footballer Matt Dundas.

“We’ve also done some long searching runs up to about three hours in duration,” Mr Wood said.