Running to take Hegarty all the way to New York

GORDONVALE runner Debra Hegarty credits the Indigenous Marathon Project and Cairns Deadly Runners for the amazing weight loss journey that has inspired her two sons to take up running.

Hegarty is one of two Far North athletes, with Cyrus Morseu from Badu Island, to be included in the 2018 squad of the Indigenous Marathon Project this week.

The pair were in Canberra at a camp this week after making the cut from 140 athletes to be selected in the final 12.

Coach Adrian DodsonShaw selected the 12-person squad who will take on the challenge of running the New York City Marathon in November.

Hegarty said joining the Cairns Deadly Runners had helped change her life for the better.

“I come from smoking and drinking and I have lost around 25kg now in the past three years because I started at Cairns Deadly Runners,” Hegarty said.

“And that then introduced me to IMP.

“I did not realise how much I had lost until I looked back at the photos – it is all from the running.

“I have got two sons who look up to me.

“They see the results and now they love coming running with me too.”

The squad will participate in four short camps throughout 2018, the first of which is being held in Canberra, ending on Monday.

Each member must also complete a compulsory Cert IV in Community Recreation, Run Coaching qualification, and CPR and First Aid Certificate, which they must pass in order to be eligible to run the New York City Marathon.