The Indigenous Marathon Project: An Impact Beyond Running
Every year from 2010 to 2019, the Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP) brought a group of Indigenous young adults from across Australia to run the New York City Marathon.
Today, as we observe International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we shine a light on the IMP and the impact it has had—even during the pandemic—by empowering young people through running.
“A Small and Impactful Squad”
The IMP is part of the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, which was founded by former world-class professional runner Robert de Castella. Rob won the Commonwealth Games Marathon in 1982 and the 1986 and the World Championships Marathon in 1983. He set a marathon world record in 1981 and finished second in the 1986 New York City Marathon.
The IMP receives about 200 applications each year. “We select a small and impactful squad of 12 runners—six men and six women ages 18 to 30,” says Tim Rowe, IMP’s general manager.
The athletes train with coaches and run test events over a six-month period; they also complete a Certificate IV in Indigenous Leadership, sports first aid training, and a certificate in Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid. Those who meet all the requirements are booked for travel to New York City. (Two IMP runners are pictured above at the 2013 New York City Marathon.)
A Midnight Marathon
The pandemic canceled the IMP’s trips to New York in 2020 and will do so again this year. “As for so many across the world, COVID-19 has heavily impacted the way we operate and manage our programs,” said Taneshia Atkinson, IMP’s communications director.
In 2020, the IMP squad ran a special midnight marathon in the Australian desert outside of Alice Springs, under a full moon. “The success and impact of the midnight marathon allowed us to confidently plan another,” said Atkinson. On October 23, this year's IMP squad will return to Alice Springs for another midnight marathon.
The "Ripple Effect" Running
The IMP has never been just about running, and through the pandemic it has continued to focus on education, community, connection, and social change in Indigenous communities.
“These things remain a priority,” says Atkinson. “We continue to draw strength from the resilience of Indigenous communities and have remained resilient and adaptable during these challenging times.”
With training camps interrupted and travel to large running events restricted, the runners have spent more time in their own communities. “Our presence and our purpose have been amplified by the fact we can conquer the marathon in our own country, with our own people watching,” says Atkinson.
"By empowering young athletes as marathoners, the IMP has a ripple effect," says Rowe. “Through doing something that is hard, like running a marathon, the Project empowers these individuals to understand that they are capable of so much more than they ever imagined possible,” he says.
The IMP will return to run in New York City when travel is once again possible. “We would love to return to the New York City Marathon in 2022, and that is our plan,” says Atkinson, “but if we can’t, we will still get the job done back here at home.”
Taneshia’s Story
Taneshia Atkinson, IMP’s communications director (second from right, above), is also a graduate of the program who ran the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon. Her story shows the impact of the project that goes beyond running.
"In the 12 or so months prior [to applying for the IMP] I lost my father, grandfather, and grandmother and moved to a city where I was alone. During this time IMP gave me purpose and kept me focused and grounded. Running forced me to heal through confronting my traumas and reminding myself what I was capable of. It reminded me of the ability to continue growing physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The 3km I ran for my IMP tryout was the furthest I had ever run, and it was so tough. I didn’t enjoy running at all. The effort and determination required didn’t appeal to me. But now I understand that is where the power of running lies.
The journey from 3km up to a marathon was incredible. My squad and I shared a powerful connection, and they will remain my family forever. Whilst our running journey was an individual one, we were very much a team, carrying each other’s successes and challenges.
The 2019 New York City Marathon was the first time I had ever been overseas, and words can never fully encapsulate the experience of the marathon itself. My mind gave up so many times, but my body and spirit wouldn’t allow it. At one point I didn’t know how I was still running, and I drew strength from a place I didn’t know existed.
The community, atmosphere, and enthusiasm of the New York City Marathon is unmatched. I witnessed people pushing themselves to their absolute limits despite their adversities and physical exhaustion and despite the voice inside their heading telling them to stop. And then I became one of them, completing something that I once thought was impossible.
I owe so much to the journey, the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, my running squad, and the New York City Marathon finish line.
The IMP continues to have a significant impact on me. I think it will forever remain one of the most challenging, rewarding, and healing journeys of my life."
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
According to the United Nations, there are over 476 million indigenous peoples living in 90 countries across the world, making up 6.2% of the global population. Indigenous peoples have a special relationship with their lands and hold diverse concepts of development based on their own worldviews and priorities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated many existing inequalities, disproportionately affecting populations all over the world that were already suffering from poverty, illness, discrimination, institutional instability or financial insecurity. From the perspective of indigenous peoples, the contrast is even starker.