Indigenous Marathon Foundation Running and Walking Australia (IMF RAW) aims to normalise running and walking in Indigenous communities by providing free, inclusive and safe running and walking events.

The program previously known as Deadly Fun Runs was established in 2011. It is part of World Marathon Champion Robert de Castella’s Indigenous Marathon Foundation which started with four Indigenous men running in the world’s biggest marathon – the New York City Marathon in 2010.

IMF RAW received $375,000 through Sport Australia’s Participation Grant program which supports projects that address barriers to sport and physical activity and increase participation.

IMF general manager Tim Rowe said the funding has been critical in driving the success of the program.

“We’ve been able to deliver some really impactful work these last six months because of this funding. It has allowed us to venture into new communities and engage new people as part of our national program,” he said.

Since January, IMF RAW has run countless training sessions in Darwin, Cherbourg, Karratha, Groote Eyelandt, Galiwin’ku and Mimili and delivered workshops in Canberra and Mackay.

IMF RAW also trains individuals to become accredited run coaches so they can deliver events in their community. More than 40 run leaders from across Australia attended a four-day workshop in Canberra in April ahead of the Canberra Times Marathon Festival.

So far, over 500 participants have taken part in running events and 52 have become qualified run coaches.

“The workshop was a huge success and it is incredible to see the ripple effect that these events then have on the broader communities when these individuals return home,” he said.

“Our aim is to empower our run leaders to return to their communities with the knowledge and skills to deliver group training, track workouts, technical running sessions and nutrition sessions with their communities.”

IMF RAW also hosted the IMF RAW National Fun Run and Walking Championships in Queensland earlier this month. More than 100 participants from over 20 communities across Australia travelled to Mackay to take part in a relay, workshops and race in the Mackay Marina Run 5km event.

“All of our runners wore their IMF RAW singlets and it was a powerful showcase of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Many of our participants had never raced in an event of this size before so this experience was life-changing for them.”

Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins OAM said it was great to see activities and events take place after a few years of disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“COVID-19 affected sport at every level so it’s great to see communities come together and enjoy the social, personal and health benefits of being physically active,” he said.

“Through the Participation Grant program, we have supported nearly 100 sport and physical activity programs to deliver inclusive, high quality sport and physical activity programs to help tens of thousands of Australians get active.”