SIX months of long runs, hill sprints, sore legs, early morning starts and precious time away from family has paid off for 12 Indigenous athletes who have earned their ticket to the New York Marathon in six weeks.
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Among the final team - which was selected from athletes who completed a 30km time trial in Alice Springs on the weekend - is Katherine man Justin Miller.
“The run was tough,” he said.
“I came into it with a sprained ankle and knees hurting and I pulled my hamstring a few weeks ago so I wasn’t training and to finish under three hours is a good achievement.
“It was tough and tiring and I wanted to stop but it felt like I can’t fail my kids because they are all supporting me – my family, my community and everyone in my town, my workplace, everybody is behind me so I didn’t want to stop even though I wanted to stop, but it was good to get to the end and I can finally smile,” the athlete said.
Mr Miller, together with 11 other inspirational athletes, who are part of the Indigenous Marathon Project, had to complete the tough challenge through the red desert streets to secure themselves a ticket to the Big Apple.
> Read the full story in the print edition of the Katherine Times, Wednesday, September 18, or subscribe to the e-edition for only$30/year.
