Footy greats cross NYC Marathon finish line with Indigenous Marathon Project squad

Jarred Cross Published November 4, 2025 at 2.05pm (AWST)

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Indigenous Marathon Foundation 2025 ambassadors and modern footy greats Lance Buddy Franklin and Johnathan Thurston crossed the finish line in New York at the weekend. Also pictured, IMP squad member Jedd Bell (centre). (Image:supplied)

Footy icons Lance 'Buddy' Franklin and Jonathan Thurston have added new accolades to their athletic successes competing the New York City Marathon with sub-four hour times, joined by a cohort of First Nations runners

13 Indigenous Marathon Project squad members crossed the finish line of the World Major race at the weekend, including Bardi, Noongar and Ngarluma woman Chanti McHenry, who wouldn't allow injury to deny her achieving the feat.

Thurston and Franklin finished with times of 3:43:32 and 3:49:02, respectively, in their first marathon attempts, each smashing the 2024 race average by 40 minutes.

The pair, who ran side-by-side for a patch, joined the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, and this year's squad as ambassadors of the organisation's work towards creating future leaders and improving outcomes for both individuals and communities.

Ahead of New York, the foundation and their project had already helped more than 150 graduates compete marathons with the greater vision of creating a "ripple effect".

Despite "hitting the wall" around the 30km mark, Thurston finished second out of this year's squad.

Buddy felt the effects of old ankle injuries during his run.

Gunditjmara man Jedd Bell led the IMP pack, posting an impressive time of 3:19:30 - finishing in the top 10 per cent of placings across more than 59,000 participants.

*Jedd Bell completed the New York City Marathon with a time of 3:19:30 at the weekend. (Image: supplied, Indigenous Marathon Foundation)*

Each squad member booked their tickets to the US following a gruelling 30 kilometre selection run in Mpartnwe / Alice Springs in September.

"What Johnathan, Buddy and the IMP Squad have achieved is phenomenal," former world marathon champion, IMF director and founder Robert de Castella said.

"They've pushed themselves beyond their comfort zones to take on one of the toughest marathons in the world - not for glory, but to help us change lives. Their run has brought national attention to our Make Your Mark fundraising campaign.

"Through running, we break cycles and create First Nations leaders and role models."

The Make Your Mark campaign invites donations to help support IMF with their initiatives aimed at closing the gap in health, education and opportunity", including organised walks and runs, and remote primary schools and community programs.

The weekend marked 15 years since the inaugural IMP group ran the NYC Marathon, led by Charlie Maher - now IMF Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Chief Officer, who when crossing the finish line first became the first known Indigenous Australian to complete the race.

Last month Maher grew his legacy further, becoming first person in the country to run a marathon in all eight states and territories within a single year at the Melbourne Marathon.

Earlier in the year he was the first Indigenous male to complete all seven World Major marathons in Sydney.

Although yet to commit to running their second marathons each, Buddy and JT both described New York as the most difficult, and most rewarding challenge they'd pushed themselves to achieving.