The Indigenous Marathon Project, founded in 2010 by former Australian of the Year and World Champion Marathon runner Rob de Castella uses the marathon to change lives and promote the importance of healthy lifestyles.
In the last two years, 17 Indigenous athletes have completed either the New York or Boston Marathon. The Project has also expanded to include the National Deadly Fun Run Series, which is made up of remote and regional community running events.
This year, 11 athletes from remote Indigenous communities across the country are in training for the New York Marathon, to be held in November, as well as undertaking their Certificate IV in Health and Leisure.
De Castella said he was excited for the two organisations to join forces, and continue to change the lives of Indigenous Australians.
“The Project is only going to continue to grow, and joining with Maddocks will allow us to focus on more specific areas of the Project, and put more resources into our runners,” he said.
“This will in turn allow us to continue to give Indigenous Australians a great opportunity to change their lives and reinforce our slogan; if you can run a marathon, you can do anything.” The signing of the alliance took place in the Indigenous Wing of the National Gallery of Australia..