TEARS flowed as marathon runner Zane Sparke booked his spot in the New York City Marathon following an incredible effort over the past six months.
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Along with Sparke, another five men and five women who formed the 2017 squad of the Indigenous Marathon Project faced their greatest challenge to date.
Sparke was the first to finish the 30-kilometre desert run through Alice Springs on September 24 in a time of 2.18.16.
“It was amazing,” Sparke said.
“The hardest thing I’ve ever done, and I did it all by myself.
“I couldn’t hold the tears back. I’m so proud of everything that I’ve done to get to this point.”
He said knowing the other members of the squad would all be going to New York made it extra special.
“It’s just awesome to do it with everyone,” Mr Sparke said.
Mr Sparke has also organised and been a regular participant in community fun runs around the mid-north coast, keen to help others reach better health through running and positive social connections.
Final selection for the New York marathon is determined by those runners who have shown commitment to their training and who finish the 30km test run.
It also hinges on completion of their education component, which for the first time this year featured an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and First Aid course.
In an emotional selection ceremony, each of them learnt that they would be at the start line in New York in November.
With temperatures rising to 35 degrees, Indigenous Marathon Foundation director Rob de Castella said it was the toughest run the squad have put themselves through.
“It was a hot, dry and lonely 30-kilometre run that started in pitch black at 5am; the longest run any of the squad has ever done,” Mr de Castella said.
“It tested them physically, mentally and emotionally, but their spirit and purpose was so strong. I couldn’t be more proud of the way each and every one of them rose to the challenge and demonstrated inspirational courage and strength.
“They’ve now got just six weeks to recover, and get ready for the 42km, and I have total confidence they will smash their marathons.”
While the desert loop tests each runner’s physical and mental strength, the significance of running through the red heart of Australia is particularly symbolic.
Head coach and 2014 IMP graduate Adrian Dodson-Shaw said it was a great relief to have the squad come through the trial run successfully.
“They’re my first squad, and they’re a great crew. I’m very proud of the way they’ve come together and pushed and supported one another,” Mr Dodson-Shaw said.
The IMP is a program of the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, a not‐for‐profit Foundation established by former world champion marathon runner Rob de Castella.
Each year IMP selects a squad of 12 young Indigenous men and women, to train for the New York City Marathon in November, complete a compulsory education component – a Certificate IV in Sport & Rec, media training and coaching accreditation – and through their achievements celebrate Indigenous resilience and success.
The IMF relies on the generous support of the Australian Government Department of Health, Department of PM&C, Department of Regional Australia, local Government, Arts and Sport, Qantas, ASICS, Accor and the Australian public.