DEADLY FUN RUN

In the shadow of Uluru, hundreds of people from across Australia gather together for the Deadly Fun Run Championships, lit by a dazzling purple and orange sunrise.

The run brings together Indigenous communities and supporters of all backgrounds, ages and running experiences.

Sisters under 10 years old from Groote Eylandt, off the tip of Northern territory. Three Aunties from Queensland’s Cherbourg, who took up walking for fitness in their sixties. A Deadly Running group from Adelaide making their first trip to Northern Territory. Runners that have graduated from the Indigenous Marathon Foundation and completed the world’s great marathons in New York, Boston and Tokyo. And four Olympians – boxer Brad Hore, swimmer Lara Davenport, hockey player Louise Dobson and basketballer Rachael Sporn.

Despite the subzero temperatures, there is a warmth shared between the runners – a connection that they’re sharing in a truly unique experience.

The group locks arms in a wide circle and are welcomed to the traditional land of the Anangu people, throwing the sacred red soil in the air to give safe passage and protection to the runners on their journey.

It’s a special moment for Hore, a boxer at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics and proud Dunghutti man.

“Being out here at Uluru as an Indigenous Olympian means so much to me,” he said.

“We’ve got 26 Indigenous communities from across the nation meeting here in such a spiritual place. You can feel just how sacred this spot is.”

“Being able to run with the kids and hear their stories and what their dreams are is an amazing experience. We want to inspire them to keep pushing and following their dreams by sharing how we started and made it to the Olympics.”

The runners have two events on the day – a morning fun run and a relay run around Uluru itself in the afternoon.

The event is the centrepiece of Indigenous Marathon Foundations Deadly Runner’s program, established by Olympic marathon great Robert de Castella to use running to celebrate Indigenous resilience and achievement and create inspirational Indigenous leaders.

Click to find out more about the Indigenous Marathon Project and Deadly Runners

Source
Dominic Sullivan
olympics.com.au