They came from all over Australia, six men and five women with one single purpose – to run across the finish line of the New York City Marathon.
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On November 4, the 11 outstanding runners of the Indigenous Marathon Project proved their mettle in a field of more than 50,000 competitors.
In perfect running conditions, in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators that lined the streets of New York City’s five boroughs, all 11 runners completed the course.
The race was the culmination of six months of training and commitment for the squad, many of whom have come from non-running backgrounds, and some of Australia’s most remote areas.
Port Macquarie didn’t have a representative, but IMP ambassador Charlie Maher said the group performed admirably.
For Michaela Skuthorpe of Brewarrina, the crowd, which she likened to a “big street party”, was a welcome distraction for the first 30 kilometres before hitting the wall “once I felt the onset of pain, I started to freak out”.
For Damien Crispin of Broome, despite being the first IMP Graduate to cross the finish line, it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
“All sorts of emotions were coming to me,” Mr Crispin said.
But when things really started to hurt it would be family and community back home that would provide a strong focus for him to dig deep.
“I thought about my kids for the last 5kms, actually they got me through the whole way”.
The first IMP female to cross the line was Rachael Howard of Thornton, who described the experience as “unreal” explained coming up to the 400m to go.
“I can’t even describe the feeling and my legs couldn’t carry me quick enough to get there, it was such an overwhelming sense of pride and achievement,” Ms Howard said.
“I was just thinking about my purpose and also thinking all the grads (previous 75 IMP Graduates) before us no-one has ever not finished and this is what we’ve been training for – this is the victory lap”.
Indigenous Marathon Foundation director and former world champion runner Rob de Castella said he was thrilled with the effort the 2018 squad had put into their time with IMP.
“I’m so very proud of these young Indigenous leaders,” Mr de Castella said.
“Not only did they run great and smash out their very first marathon on one of the toughest and definitely biggest marathons, but they have spoken and conducted themselves in a way that brings credit to themselves, their families and the previous 75 IMP Graduates.
The future is exciting and bright for these new 11 Graduates and I’m really looking forward to working with them.
“And they’re so committed now to making a difference for other Indigenous people.”