“I have been training with 2013 IMP Grad Colin Sampton who has put me through my run paces. She will use her running to address mental health issues and hopes to be a positive role model to others. Throw in a junior doctor and a Masters in Public Health student, the women’s team is certainly a force to be reckoned with.įor Cairns Indigenous Youth Leader Rachel Dean and successful IMP applicant, the IMP will be a platform to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma. We did not want to rob any of the applicants, nor their communities from the difference that they could make through the IMP”, comments Tuck.įrom a previously morbidly obese recovering smoker, to three applicants that share thirteen (13) previous applications between them, there is no doubt that these ladies mean business. “The diversity among this group was just incredible. Firstly, the number of female applicants outweighed that of their male counterparts. It is no wonder the selection of the female squad members caused Tuck sleepless nights. Knowing what each female squad member could potentially contribute to their communities in future, we reveled in the opportunity to allow an extra two female participants.” Says Tuck: “ With such a strong contingent of ladies, we were compelled to shake things up a bit. This year the squad consists of eight women and six men other than previous years when it was an equal spread of six and six. These men and women are committed to making an impact in their communities and that wherever they cross the finish line – whether New York or on country, the desire to change the trajectory of their lives and to inspire others to do the same, is what it is all about”, IMF Founder and Director Rob de Castella says. “The fact that we had a higher number of applicants than other years for 2021, goes to show that the IMP is far greater than merely chasing the bright lights of New York. The historic (COVID) 2020 Alice Springs Marathon marked the 10-year existence of the project and holds its own significance to the rich IMP history.
#Darwin project squads full
Instead, they will again run their marathon in the desert outside of Alice Springs, at midnight, under a full moon on Arrente country. Up until last year, all IMP runners had trained for the New York City Marathon, however due to COVID-19 restrictions there was no New York for them in 2020, nor will the 2021 squad have New York in their sights. He says a great diversity of applicants across different ages (between 18-30) and backgrounds have put their hands up for consideration and believes that the dynamics of the final squad will provide a great environment for interaction and shared growth experiences.Įach year Rob de Castella’s Indigenous Marathon Foundation selects and mentors a squad of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women to participate in Australia’s most demanding and difficult programs (the IMP), requiring them to go from little or no running to finishing a full marathon in just six-months, all under the guidance of the Head Coach and Rob de Castella. The try-out tour has taken Damian and other IMF support staff to most Capital Cities as well as regional and remote locations as far afield as Karratha, Galiwin’ku and Alice Springs. With so many quality applicants, all with a compelling reason why they want to participate, and all super deserving to take their spot, we had to make some very tough decisions” says Damian Tuck, IMP Head Coach. Women dominate the 2021 Indigenous Marathon Project Squad selectionĪfter three months of covering the length and breadth of Australia conducting a rigorous try-out process, The Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) has selected its 2021 Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP) squad who will take-on the challenge of running their first marathon within the next six months.
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