Port Macquarie resident and Central Australian Charlie Maher is fiercely passionate about running.
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Running is not just a style of movement, but a vehicle for opportunity and change, Mr Maher said.
A decade ago Indigenous Marathon Foundation founder Robert de Castella selected Charlie Maher and Caleb Hart from Alice Springs, Joseph Davies from Kununurra and Juan Darwin from Maningrida for an ambitious annual project.
No Indigenous Australian had run a major international marathon and the men made history as the first Aboriginal men to run the New York City Marathon in 2010.
"I've always been grateful and blessed to be able to run, first and foremost, and obviously I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go to New York," Maher said.
"I'd never dreamed of getting picked, travelling overseas or interstate. I'd never had opportunities like that come by and for it to come by, for me to grab it by both hands then you know that experience is intense.
"Ever since then I've always wanted to give back even though it's ten years on. As a young fella growing up my mum always taught me that if someone gives you something, you make sure you repay them and you give back.
"That was important in my life, my upbringing to never forget those people who helped you along the way. It's my obligation to help others."
Charlie was back running in Alice Springs as the IMF celebrated the ten year anniversary of the Indigenous Marathon Project with a midnight 42.2 marathon on October 31.
The trek was Australia's first-ever Indigenous marathon and Maher ran 47kms to not only finish the marathon but also encourage the new crop of 2020 graduates.
The 2020 IMP squad did not compete in the New York Marathon this year on November 3, because it was cancelled due to COVID-19.
"On the weekend to see 12 out of 12 members cross the finish line was really a highlight. They've done it really tough, this year they've done it really extremely tough," Maher said.
"It's just phenomenal what we can achieve it together to get the best possible outcome, and the best possible outcome was helping those 12 men and women to finish their first marathon in Alice Springs
"We can run, jog and walk but it's what we do off the track that's most important in looking after our health and well being. We've built a culture, whether you're indigenous or not we treat you the same and we're all treated equally.
"What's most important is our next generation because we didn't have a lot growing up as young kids and the next generation should have a better future than what we had. They're going to be the ones that are the real strong leaders in the future and that's what is very special."
Since 2010, 108 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island men and women have finished the 42.195km New York Marathon to graduate from the project. Over the last decade graduates have tested their resolve in New York, Boston, Tokyo, London, Paris and Berlin marathons.
"It is the personal and family commitment that every single IMP runner has that provides them with the purpose to push on and finish," Mr de Castella said.
"In so many ways, it is both a privilege and an obligation they carry. To now have 108 IMP graduates, who have not just run a marathon, but also competed the IMP education program is incredible.
"It doesn't matter how fast or slow you run, when you run a marathon you are a marathoner, and nothing tests you like the marathon.
"This has been the most challenging year ever and that is good, because I want these men and women to know how strong they are, and you only find this out in the tough times. I am so very proud of them all. It also shows their family and the entire country how determined and strong our Indigenous people are."
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