butterflies!” Ms Seriat said.
For Natasha Shires of Karratha it’s a chance to show her three daughters what hard work can achieve, while Scott Cox of Broome said he still couldn’t believe he was going to be running in New York.
“I’m so nervous, but I’m as ready as I can be… and I’m going to give it all I’ve got,” Mr Cox said.
Final selection for the New York City Marathon is determined by those runners who have successfully completed a 30km test run through Alice Springs, but it also hinges on completion of their education component, which gives them the skills and confidence to become role models in their communities when their year in the IMP squad is over.
The Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP) is a leadership program of the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, a not‐for‐profit foundation established by Marathon Champion Rob de Castella.
Each year IMP selects a squad of 12 young Indigenous men and women, to train for the New York City Marathon in November, complete a compulsory education component – a Certificate IV in Sport & Rec, media training, coaching accreditation and a Mental Health First Aid Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander course – and through their achievements celebrate Indigenous resilience and success.
The Indigenous Marathon Foundation was established in 2009 and in 2010 the first four Indigenous Australians created history as the first to run in the world’s biggest marathon .
The Indigenous Marathon Project has grown significantly with 65 Graduates finishing a major international marathon including New York, Boston and Tokyo, and receiving a qualification with a Certificate III in Fitness (formerly a Certificate IV in Leisure and Health) delivered by AFL Sports Ready.
The continual growth and expansion of the IMP led to the establishment of the IMF in 2015 which umbrellas four core programs:
• The Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP)
• Indigenous Communities for Activity and
Nutrition (I-CAN)
• FrontRunners (a Graduate specific program)
• Deadly Running Australia (DRA).
Running and physical activity underpin all Indigenous Marathon Foundation programs and we are committed to providing social, inclusive, and fun environments for people to adopt active and healthy lifestyles.
Keep posted with our deadly marathon runners progress via the Indigenous Marathon Foundation Facebook page.
Image: 2017 Indigenous Marathon Project squad training at Brighton Le Sands, Sydney with supporters.
Photo Credit: IMP Facebook