There were plenty of reasons to smile when competitors laced up their shoes for the Thursday Island NAIDOC Fun Run over two days earlier this month. Photo: Supplied.
Over 150 Thursday Island residents joined the Thursday Island Deadly Runners and Walkers and the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) in a fun run designed to make a difference to health and fitness on 16-17 August.
The Thursday Island NAIDOC Fun Run offered something for all fitness levels and abilities, with two special guests and Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP) graduates – Torres Shire Council Mayor Elsie Seriat and Harold Matthew – lacing up their shoes to join in.
In 2014, Mayor Seriat and Matthew became the first Thursday Islanders to join the IMP and run a marathon.
Day one kicked off with an a two-kilometre and 3km Colour Fun Run, where the island’s youth took to the course with enthusiasm and determination.
On the Saturday morning, competitors tackled half marathon, 10km and 5km courses, with seasoned runners and first timers pounding the pavement side by side.
Mayor Seriat said the event provided an opportunity to reflect on her own IMP achievement a decade ago.
“It’s been 10 years since Harold and I lined up to race the New York City Marathon, and so this event is fitting particularly in line with the NAIDOC theme Keep the Fire Burning,” she said.
“I’m very overwhelmed to see the amount of people who have come out to participate, and that’s what we’re about – bringing the community together from all walks of life as in the Reconciliation Week theme Now More Than Ever.
“Thank you to our visitors who helped support the event – Uncle Rob, Tim Crosbie from Athletics Australia, the IMF team and all of the IMF run leaders.”
IMF founder and four-time Olympian Robert de Castella also commended the event and reflected on the “ripple effect” of Thursday Island’s IMP graduates.
“It was a privilege to visit Thursday Island and see the massive impact the first two Thursday Island IMP graduates, Elsie and Harold, have had 10 years on,” he said.
“In addition to the inspiration they provided by running the New York City Marathon in 2014, now there is a 5km bike path around the Island making running and walking safe and accessible for all.
“We talk about ripples, and this is exactly what IMP’s impact has been on Thursday Island, with six amazing local IMP Graduates, and improved health for all.”
More than 150 runners made the Thursday Island NAIDOC Fun Run a truly inclusive community event on 16-17 August. Photo: Supplied.
