EIGHT of Port Macquarie’s best Aboriginal youth runners will represent the region at Uluru on June 16 and 17 at the National Deadly Running Festival.
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The annual festival is fast closing in on its 10th anniversary in the Northern Territory with the Port Macquarie team to compete against almost 150 other runners.
Indigenous Marathon Foundation graduate Charlie Maher said each running group from around the country selected their best eight competitors to send to Uluru.
From there, they hoped to compete at various upcoming marathon events which was one of many positives for those who made the final cut.
They are Rylan Hunt, Jamarra Moran, Noah Binge, Tyler Green, Chermeeka Fernando, Shontai Fernando, Lily-Rose Westaway and Kaiya O'Brien.
“It’s about the next generation and creating an environment for our kids especially that (running) is normal,” he said.
“You get up, go for a run and feel in that safe environment where the kids can feel like they are a part of something.
“Some of these young kids have never experienced something like this – they’ve never been to the Northern Territory or to Uluru.
“Some of them have never caught an aeroplane so it’s quite big for them and they’re quite nervous and excited at the same time.”
Being a part of the group that heads to the running festival could be the first step on the way to competing at events such as the Gold Coast or New York Marathons in coming years.
It’s about the next generation and creating an environment for our kids especially that (running) is normal.
- Charlie Maher
“It’s about exposing them to all these events through our group and they get an idea how big running is around Australia,” Maher said.
“They see me running marathons and going to New York and we want to try to keep them involved so once they turn 18 they might be interested in doing a marathon.
“We’re giving them that direction and creating that pathway.
“Hopefully they go onto bigger things whether it’s in running, at school and they’ve got the tools or confidence to do things.”
Mayor Peta Pinson said that it was important to support young athletes to achieve great things for themselves, and their community.
“To be selected for any competition is an outstanding achievement,” she said.
They see me running marathons and going to New York and we want to try to keep them involved so once they turn 18 they might be interested in doing a marathon.
- Charlie Maher
“So to be chosen from a competitive group of athletes nationwide is incredible, and something that should be celebrated by our entire community.
“A big thanks to the local Indigenous Marathon Foundation members, led by Charlie Maher who do a great job empowering our local Aboriginal youth to grow and succeed in all they do; your work does not go unnoticed.”
