Keen runners picked for Indigenous Marathon Project

A local indigenous marathon runner has beaten 140 applicants across Australia to earn a spot in the 12-person squad getting ready to run the New York City Marathon in November.

Damien Crispin has been selected to be part of the 12-person squad representing the Indigenous Marathon Foundation and joins five other men and six women aged 18-30.

Crispin said he was excited to make the team, although he was nervous about the prospect of running a full marathon.

“This will be my first time running a full marathon,” he said.

“It is pretty exciting to have been chosen out of 140 people, but when I tried out I was pretty nervous about running the marathon with a bunch of people I don’t know very well. Luckily, we have all really bonded as a team and I am lucky enough to have formed a close bond with Torey Rickerby, who is from Derby.

“We kind of became instant friends.”

Coach Adrian Dodson-Shaw said he had had to make some tough decisions to choose just 12 young people from a strong field of applicants after visiting 19 communities.

“It gives me great pride to get out there to meet these young people and see their potential,” he said.

“For many of them, just turning up is a huge step.

“They are ordinary people with so much untapped potential for us to nurture and grow.

“This squad brings together such an interesting cross-section of people from remote, regional and urban Australia, all unique but united by their sense of purpose.

“I’m looking forward to working with them, not only on their journey to New York, but on what they will take back to their communities. What they learn this year will help them change lives.”

The squad will participate in four short camps throughout 2018.

Each member will also complete qualifications in community recreation, run coaching, CPR and first aid, which they must pass in order to be eligible to run the New York City Marathon.