The Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP) was established in 2009 by world marathon champion, Rob de Castella, and in 2010 four Indigenous Australians created history as the first to run in the world’s biggest marathon – the New York City Marathon.
The continual growth and expansion of the IMP led to the establishment of the Indigenous Marathon Foundation in 2015 which covers 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 IMF programs and they are committed to providing social, inclusive, and fun environments for people to adopt active and healthy lifestyles.
Deadly Fun Run Series
The Deadly Fun Run Series (DFRS) is an initiative by Deadly Running Australia that introduces running and walking to regional, remote and city
communities in a fun, non-intimidating environment for men, women and children.
The Series consists of five regular fun runs and points are awarded for participation and place.
At the end of the Series, four representatives – male and female, junior and senior champions – are selected to represent their community at the National DFR Championships held in June each year at Uluru.
The event continues to grow each year with participants from approximately 20 Indigenous communities nation-wide.
Southern Deadly Run Fun
On the sunny morning of Saturday 9 February, a Southern Deadly Fun Run was held at Rotary Park, Christie’s Beach as one of the five Deadly Fun Run Series.
The event was hosted by a committee which included representation from a number of organisations including; Sonder, Taikurrendi Children and Family Centre, City of Onkaparinga Council, Hackham West Community Centre, Anglicare SA, Centacare, SA Water and the Kiwanis Club of Reynella.
The annual event continues to grow in popularity and support each year. The Southern Deadly Fun Run is now recognised as major event on the local community calendar.
This year’s event was abuzz with over 200 participants, volunteers and community chaperones. Once the crowd has gathered, MC’s and local high school students, Jayden and Caleb delivered a warm and rousing welcome.
Passionate supporter of the initiative, Aunty Georgina Williams took to the stage to perform the Welcome to Country and then John Rankine from CAHMS facilitated a number of warm-up exercises for the fun run participants.
With the warm-up complete, the 5 km runners were the first off track, followed by the 3 km runners and then the 3 km walkers.
After completing the run, Local MP, The Hon Katrine Hildyard presented participants with medals before they tucked into a well-deserved lunch and enjoyed some on-stage entertainment.
As the crowd dispersed and debriefed, the enthusiasm was palpable. Many remarked that the day had been a success and that meaningful connections had been made.
Sonder would like to thank members of the Southern Deadly Fun Run Committee for making the day possible and above all, enjoyable.
To learn more about The Indigenous Marathon Project’s Deadly Running Australia, visit www.imf.org.au/deadly-running