Pair bound for the Big Apple

Two Broome rising stars have been selected in a squad of 12 indigenous Australians for the 2016 Indigenous Marathon Project.

Local indigenous lawyer Megan Highfold, 29, and Broome-born Kimberley Benjamin, 22, are set to take on the New York Marathon in November after six months of intensive training.

Benjamin said she had taken inspiration from the journey of IMP 2014 graduate Adrian Dodson-Shaw, and as a Yawuru/Bardi/Kija woman with no running background, was looking forward to pushing her limits.

“I have seen the incredible impact IMP has had on Adrian and all the success he has achieved and I really wanted to continue the IMP legacy and footprint here in Broome, and be a strong female role model in the community,” she said.

“I’m so excited to be part of IMP and really looking forward to pushing my comfort zone to achieve goals and inspire my people.

“This is going to significantly change my life and I’m looking forward to the hard work ahead.”

Fellow squad member Highfold said after missing out on being selected in 2015, she had been training for the past year in Dodson-Shaw’s Broome Deadly Runners Group.

“I saw the incredible impact the program had on Adrian and his life, and I knew this was my last shot. I turn 30 this year and that is the age limit to be part of IMP,” she said.

“I am so passionate about the health of my people, particularly mental health. It is such a chronic issue in the lives of indigenous Australians and I am determined to influence positive social change and continue the legacy Adrian has already created,” she said.

Dodson-Shaw said it would be a gradual journey and completing the compulsory education certificate three in fitness would be just as important as the four running camps.

“Part of being a graduate is becoming a mentor and she’s (Highfold) done really well, stuck to the running, pushing herself after not making the squad last year,” he said.

“The main skill now is dedication and sticking to the program during the Gold Coast Half-marathon, Sydney City to Surf and Alice Springs 30km final selection.”