April strides out for New York
GEELONG-BASED mum and Deakin University nursing student April Barry will embark on the biggest run of her life in the Gold Coast half-marathon tomorrow.
Barry, who was born and raised in Alice Springs, has been part of Rob de Castella’s Indigenous Marathon Project since February.
As part of the squad of 12 young indigenous men and women, she has been building up longer training runs every week, in a bid to eventually run the New York City Marathon in November.
Barry said running with the IMP, a program within the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, a not-for-profit established by de Castella, had been a lifelong goal.
“I’ve always wanted to be a part of the Indigenous Marathon Project ever since the first year it was running, which I think was 2010,” she said.
“I was born and bred in Alice Springs, and that’s where their first runners — Charlie Maher and Caleb Hart — are from.
“And I always looked up to Caleb Hart as like a bigger brother, because growing up, he was always with my big brother — they were best friends and he was at my house every day.
“So he just inspired me to do it.”
After meeting the rest of the squad for the first time in Canberra last month, Barry said she could feel the positive impact all the running training had had on her life.
“I wasn’t really a sugar person before, but I’ve cut down on all sugary drinks now as well,” she said.
“You can feel difference — your body just doesn’t accept the junk food anymore.”
However, Barry said her ultimate goal within the program went beyond completing the New York City Marathon.
“Running is good, but I think why I’m in it is . . . I just want to promote healthy living as well as running,” she said.
“You’ve got to be fit to be able to run — you can’t be having smokes or eating crappy food and then expect to be able run miles.
“So I think I’m just promoting a healthier way.”