Like many regular pavement pounders, when Navy Warrant Officer Amy Gale first took up running, the idea of a half marathon seemed like running across Australia.

She thought there was no way she could run 21 kilometres.

Now, she doesn’t get out of bed for anything less than 10.

“I got addicted to half marathons,” Warrant Officer Gale said.

“Then I thought I’ll give a marathon a go, now I’ve got an addiction to those.”

Warrant Officer Gale was one of about 60,000 runners who crossed the finish line of the world’s largest marathon in New York City last month.

“I love my children and loved having them, but [New York] was honestly the best day of my life,” she said.

“People yelling and screaming, bands playing and people drinking, you’d think it was New Year’s Eve, it was just phenomenal.”

Warrant Officer Gale ran for the charity Team for Kids, a New York youth program that encourages children to get active.

Running for a charity is something she does each time she laces up for an event.

'The reason I got into running is just a mental health thing. If I didn't run, I reckon I'd lose my marbles.'

The Joint Professional Military Education Command Warrant Officer finished the Gold Coast half marathon and marathon on consecutive days, as well as finishing Sydney and Melbourne marathons, earlier this year.

“Honestly, the issue I have now is I don't know if I'm going to find a marathon that will have the same atmosphere and energy that New York did,” she said.

With Sydney and New York ticked off the list, and a ticket to London in the pocket, the goal is now to finish all the Abbott World Marathon Majors – something few achieve.

Warrant Officer Gale's sights are now set on the Tokyo, Berlin, Chicago and Boston marathons, with the latter being the most difficult to enter because of high-qualification standards.  

She has already applied for an entry to Chicago; Boston will be last.

“It's exciting but not a cheap sport – I think I’ve spent my kids’ inheritance,” Warrant Officer Gale said.

“The reason I got into running is just a mental health thing. If I didn't run, I reckon I'd lose my marbles.

“My knees are cooked, I've had knee surgery on both my knees, so God only knows how they still work, but while they still let me move, I'll just keep doing it.”