Despite a health challenge in 2018 that forced her to train using a wheelchair, Canberra local, Roxanne Jones is one of 12 young people selected for this year’s Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP) squad.
A Palawa woman and PhD Candidate, Roxanne joins 11 other young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from across Australia in the 2022 IMP squad to train for the 42.2km New York City Marathon in November.
Garnering traction across many running and Indigenous communities throughout Australia, the IMP is a six-month health, leadership, and development program—transforming the lives of its participants while opening doors they may not have once dared to knock at.
Squad members hail from the northern parts of Western Australia in the Kimberley region and Maningrida in the Northern Territory down to Sydney, Tasmania, and Adelaide. Each possess a strong sense of purpose and determination as they lace up to begin training for one of the most challenging and rewarding journeys of their lifetime – from little to no running to running a marathon in just six short months.
Roxanne started running in 2017 and applied for the IMP to challenge herself, believe in her abilities and share the journey with her community.
“I want to be a part of a program that changes lives, inspires others, and generates change among communities,” says Roxanne.
After a decline in her health in 2018, Roxanne was forced to adapt her training to include a wheelchair. Despite her challenges, however, she persevered, racing in the world biggest fun run – the Sydney City2Surf – in a wheelchair that same year.
Since then, the Canberra local has worked hard to improve her physical and mental health and is looking forward to using her story and experience to empower others.
“I am passionate about sharing my story so that other people with disabilities, mental health or chronic conditions can see themselves represented. Representation and visibility is so important if we are to be a truly inclusive community. I want to demonstrate that [within the running and walking community], all abilities are welcome and valued,” says Roxanne.
She says her PhD research “aims to understand the trends and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids who are admitted to critical care settings, and I have a particular interest in experiences of racism and discrimination”.
“Part of my role includes working with the Mayi Kuwayu Study – a national study focusing on culture, health and wellbeing,” Roxanne says.
The 2022 IMP Squad will begin training in a few weeks’ time, under the guidance of world marathon champion and founder of the Indigenous Marathon Foundation Rob de Castella. They will follow in the footsteps of the 122 IMP graduates who have undergone the journey before them.
In addition to completing a Cert IV in Indigenous Leadership and Health Promotion facilitated by the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre, the 2022 IMP squad members will also complete a Level 1 Recreational Running Coach course and First Aid course, to support their personal growth and strengthen their influence as change makers.
After a challenging two years amid the height of COVID-19 with the cancellation of the New York City Marathon in 2020 and a ban on international travel in 2021, Rob says he is excited to return to New York where the program began in 2009.
“The last two years provided special opportunities for our IMP squads to run an intimate marathon in the central desert of Alice Springs surrounded by their family,” he says.
“But we are excited to be able to again take our IMP squad to New York to expand their horizons, run in the footsteps of our very first four IMP graduates and feel the energy of the world’s biggest running event.”
However, Rob says a ticket to New York isn’t guaranteed. Squad members will need to commit to their rigorous training schedule, IMP education workshops and running events, continue to lead positively by example within their communities, and complete all educational components before they are offered an entry into the NYC Marathon.
IMP coach and manager Damian Tuck says he was blown away by the quality of applications to join the Project.
“We had some really strong applicants again this year, each with strong determination and a powerful reason for taking on such a challenging task and I had to make some really tough decisions,” he says.
“The IMP has the potential to change lives, we’ve seen that, and I know our squad will take a lot from this experience and in turn teach us a lot as well.
“I look forward to supporting them on this journey and seeing what they can achieve.”
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