Don’t worry about the Crocs – Weipa’s Michael Collins has definitely packed the right shoes for when he contests the 2024 Chicago Marathon next month. Photo: Supplied.
He will be more than 14,000 kilometres from home when the starter’s pistol sounds, but make no mistake Michael Collins will be running for his Weipa teammates – and charity – when he starts in the 2024 Chicago Marathon on 13 October.
The 42.2-kilometre race will represent the culmination of a 14-year challenge for the much-loved Weipa runner, who gained entry to what is ranked as one of the world’s top-six marathons after year-upon-year of attempts both pounding the pavement and through philanthropic avenues.
“I was 20 – I’m 34 now – when I first had the dream of running in one of the big US marathons,” Collins told Cape York Weekly before his departure for the United States.
“I remember running laps around my local oval one night in Western Australia and thinking about the idea and how amazing the experience would be; I then went home and wrote the goal down on a piece of paper that I stuck onto my bedroom door; between the ages of 22 to 26, I failed to get an entry by race time after doing five consecutive Perth Marathons and I also didn’t make the interview stage for any of the limited charity sponsorships available by application.”
Fast forward to 2024, and going painfully close to recording a qualifying time in last year’s Weipa Running Festival (WRF) marathon, Collins has booked his ticket to Chicago through his involvement with charity World Bicycle Relief, which empowers people and communities through providing bikes as an affordable and safe transport option.
“After the 2023 Weipa marathon, I fell short of the cut-off time by 29 seconds,” Collins reflected.
“This was the closest that I had ever been, however, even if I got under the cut-off, I knew in my heart that I still had to submit more times on other courses, as only certain marathons are accepted for a race invitation.
“I had a good look through all the listed charities and I submitted a detailed application for the non-profit organisation World Bicycle Relief.
“In the first few minutes of the online interview, I knew that I resonated with this particular charity and I was in; it took a good couple of months for it to truly sink in once I received the official race email confirming that my entry had been accepted.”
With the marathon barely more than a month away, Collins said he would not have been preparing for the race of his life were it not for Weipa’s close-knit running community.
“I wouldn’t have this opportunity today if it weren’t for the Weipa Running Festival and the Weipa parkrun communities,” Collins said.
“When I first moved to Weipa in January 2022, the Weipa community spirit inspired me to commit to running and volunteering again after previously having a few years of hanging up my running shoes.”
WRF president Rose Robins said Collins’ ability to focus on a running goal while ensuring there was a benefit to the community was part of the reason he inspired so many people involved in the sport in Weipa.
“Mick is an enigma, we love him,” she said.
“His precise planning and execution is impressive and we all love that he is such a stats man.
“He’s always inclusive and encouraging, and his positivity is infectious.”
Collins’ penchant for incorporating bananas into his race preparation before and during a big event has reached almost legendary status in Weipa, and he admitted he had already turned his mind to sourcing a potassium hit when he got to Chicago.
“Researching the availability and quality of bananas in Chicago was very high on my priority list,” the marathoner admitted.
“I discovered that Chicago holds the Guiness World Record for displaying the most bananas in one storefront display, which has increased my confidence in sourcing some good bananas for race day.
“Unlike Weipa, I don’t suspect that the aid stations in Chicago will be as generous on the bananas during the race.”
More than 120,000 people applied to compete in this year’s Chicago Marathon and more than 50,000 starters are expected to cross the finish line, but Collins said his biggest goal would be achieved before the race began.
“My goal on race day is to beat my current marathon PB, which I set on the Weipa course,” he said.
“The nature of the Chicago course is flat and fast, and the current marathon world record was set on this course in last year’s event.
“My biggest goal, however, is just getting to the start line – it seems odd to say, but just standing at the start line before the race will feel like I have already won the race within myself.”
