Former Library staff member, Elise Hull, is involved in an inspiring initiative called the Indigenous Marathon Project. It’s a project that was set up by Robert De Castella
as a tool to encourage healthy living within Indigenous Communities throughout
Australia.
A squad of Indigenous men and women are picked each year out of hundreds of
applications, and train for 6 months to prepare for the New York City Marathon. During this time they also complete Certificate IV in Health and Leisure. Each month, the
whole squad attends a training camp, where they complete more modules in the
Certificate IV, run together, and usually participate in a local race.
It
is hoped that while the squad members complete their training in their
home towns, they’re demonstrating the importance of physical activity
and healthy living to their communities as well as personally benefiting
from the training and education provided.
Last weekend, Elise, along with the 12 members of the squad and 85,000 other runners, ran in the Sydney City2Surf. “I had never run a race with that many people before so it was great to get a feel for what bigger races are like, and to have so many spectators giving up their Sunday morning to stand on the sidelines and cheer was wonderful,” said Elise.
In November, the squad will be stepping up to the starting line of the
largest footrace in the world – the New York City Marathon. Best wishes for
the race to Elise and all the squad from the staff of CSU Library!
