Three aspiring athletes from the west of the state began what they hope is a journey to New York at Dubbo’s Barden Park on Thursday.
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Dubbo was the final stop on the Indigenous Marathon Project’s national tour, done in order to form a squad which can eventually take part in the 2018 New York Marathon.
Brewarrina’s Michaela Skuthorpe was joined by Danielle Escreet of Orange and Lake Cargelligo’s Shanya Bell as they pushed themselves around the Barden Park track under the watchful eye of IMP coach Adrian Dodson-Shaw.
And while earning the chance to be part of the final 12-person squad was driving the trio, there’s a whole lot more to the IMP than just running.
“It’s not all about the marathon. It’s about how you grow personally and the affect they have on family, friends and the community,” Dodson-Shaw said.
“Running is a powerful tool because it helps with everything. It builds your character and confidence and with that it gives you a different outlook and makes you believe any challenge you face in life is minor.”
Dodson-Shaw has been all over the country, holding trials everywhere from Perth to Darwin, Cairns and Canberra.
The final squad, consisting of six men and six women, will be part of a six-month program where they must complete a Certificate IV in Sport and Recreation, First Aid qualification, Level 1 Recreational Running accreditation as well as a mental health first aid course as part of the project’s education component.
Selection for a place at the start line of the New York City Marathon in November is also dependent on squad members completing a 30km test run through Alice Springs later in the year.
Dubbo has had its own graduate of the program with Nathan Riley running in New York alongside Dodson-Shaw in 2014 and he’s just one of the countless success stories.
“I just see people trying to get out of their comfort zone and having confidence to give it a go,” Dodson-Shaw said.
“There’s 150 people every year who put their hand up and give it a go and to pick just 12 out of that is very hard but you’ve got to turn up and put your best foot forward because you never know what can happen.”
Dodson-Shaw knows that better than most.
He trialed for a spot in the IMP when he was 28 but missed out.
Two years later he earned a place and now, aged 34, he’s the head coach.
“I’m very pleased and it’s great to see people travel in and take part,” he said.
“That shows their commitment to putting their hand up and giving it a go.
“It (IMP) is growing which is really good and it shows the impact we are having.”
The IMP has 75 graduates since it began and all of those who have taken part have gone on to complete the New York marathon.
Australian Commonwealth Games gold medallist Robert De Castella is the founder and director of the IMP.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
