This week can provide.
marks the inaugural Deadly Fun Run Championships at Uluru with Indigenous
athletes from around Australia participating in the 3km run (for school aged
boys & girls) & 5km event (for men & women). With competitors ages
ranging from 7 to 56yrs the event is the first indigenous running festival held
at Uluru.
Throughout 2012, in the build up to the championships, The Deadly Fun Run Series
has been held around Australia. The series has been held in remote communities
including Mossman, Yarrabah and Napranum in Queensland, Tennant Creek
and Yirrkala in the Northern Territory, and Kununurra in Western Australia. Each
community has held 4 runs to encourage locals to experience running and all the
benefits we get from it. To be selected as the ‘community champion’ to travel
to Uluru & represent their community in the championships the runners must
compete in all 4 fun run events in their community. This is a real strength of
the program. Nadine
Hunt, Deadly Fun Run co-ordinator said “the discipline & commitment is
really important”, and “having to complete all 4 events motivates the runners
to keep coming back, especially some of the kids”. Nadine, having completed the
2011 NYC marathon, knows exactly what it takes to succeed and how to support
her fellow runners to enjoy their training and benefit from everything running
While the championships may not uncover any superstars in said.
2012 they are part of a much greater approach of improving the health of
Indigenous Australians. All the participants in the Deadly Fun Runs are
choosing healthy habits and becoming ambassadors & role models in their
communities. This is where the real changes can happen as healthier lifestyles
increase. In several years these very same runners could be training for the
chance to run in New York or Boston as part of the Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP).
However the grassroots nature of this program is the real strength as a culture
of running begins to develop. Australian running champion Robert de Castella
commented “Running and
walking is not currently seen as a sport within many Indigenous communities,
and IMP looks to encourage participation through the presentation of medals for
all participants.” Furthermore “the Deadly Fun Run Series has been all about
communities owning their own fun runs, and highlighting community champions,
all while promoting healthy living and community involvement,” De Castella
The Deadly Fun Run series is tips & advice from Deeks himself.
set to grow each year as additional venues are added to the fun run series. By
2015 there are plans for at least 18 community locations. Of course funding for
such an extensive undertaking is always going to be limited so the Indigenous
Marathon Project (IMP) have established ‘Footprints’ http://themarathonproject.com.au/?page_id=356 to help raise much needed funds. Athletes around
Australia can nominate the IMP through their 'Go Fundraise' page for major events
including the City to Surf, Gold Coast Running Festival etc. As part of the
Footprints program the athletes can receive professional training programs and
Corporate sponsorship is the team at the marathon project. For more info head to
also part of the plans to expand the Deadly Fun Run series and grow the annual
championships each year. Already Accor hotels have been great in helping
develop the championships at Uluru and provide trainee-ships & work
placements as well. Asics have also been a long term partner of the IMP helping support runners around Australia. As the
championships expand sponsored teams such as an Accor team or other companies
can further expand the great work being done by Deeks, Nadine & the rest of
Cheers
Michael Hennessy
www.outfithealth.com.au
