Indigenous runners descend on Uluru for Australia’s most scenic fun run
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It was a frosty morning in one of Australia's most scenic landscapes, where more than 150 Indigenous runners and 10 Olympians lined up to run around an Australian icon.
The runners took part in the 7th year of the Deadly Fun Run, which is part of the Indigenous Marathon Project, and brings Indigenous runners from across the country to the heart of Central Australia.
It began with a fun run early this morning, followed by a relay around the base of Uluru.
The Indigenous Marathon Project is the passion project of former world champion marathon runner Rob De Castella, who was there with the runners.
He said the event was a vehicle to promote Indigenous health, as well as a celebration of the vast range of countries represented by the participants.
"They've all brought batons, which have a cultural significance from their respective countries," Mr De Castella said.
"We'll be using those in the relay, but then afterwards we'll have a wonderful ceremony where each of the teams come forward and present their baton and explain the cultural significance."
After a career running marathons across the globe, Mr De Castella said few places could rival the beauty of Uluru.
"I've run all over the world and I've seen some amazing things, but for me there is nothing better than that 10-kilometre walking track around the base of Uluru," he said.
'I can't think of a better place to run'
Hurdler Kyle Vander-Kuyp is one of 10 Olympians running around the Rock with the amateurs.
He joined fellow Indigenous Olympians Baeden Choppy, Joshua Ross, Bradley Hore and Nathan Thomas, as well as Shelley Watts and the 2018 Winter Olympics bobsled team.
He said hearing stories of overcoming challenges from the runners was a humbling experience for the athletes.
"I think all of us Olympians were speechless when we got up on stage," he said.
"You don't hear enough of it in the media, it's always that negative stereotype or the loss of hope. But this event changes that.
"There is hope, you can get groups together, elders, aunties, uncles and can change the outlook."
Mr Vander-Kuyp said he knows first-hand the transformative effect sport can have on a person.
"I'm always sharing that story of how I got there and how it changed my life," he said.
"Sport is a great vehicle for gaining confidence."
And he said there were few locations as beautiful as Uluru where a former Olympian could puff his way through a few kilometres.
"I can't think of a better place to run," he said.
"But last time, once the heavy breathing set in I wasn't looking up too much at the Rock."
Aside from the distance, many of the runners found themselves struggling with the cold.
"We've got a lot of Queenslanders and far north Queenslanders and Torres Strait Islanders, I'm more concerned about them," Mr De Castella said.
"They'll just have to run fast."
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