Twelve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander runners have been selected from a record 323 applicants to join the 2025 Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP), a six-month program that culminates in the TCS New York City Marathon.
Among them is Kija Bardi woman Ellie White, who said being chosen in her final year of eligibility was a privilege.
"This was my third year trying out... it's open to 18-30 year olds so this is my last year," Ms White said.
"To have been selected in the squad of 12 is a real privilege.
"I'm holding all those other applicants with me as I go through and hope to do them proud."
The program includes five national training camps and requires squad members to complete a 10km race, two half marathons and a 30km run before qualifying for New York.
Ms White said bonds between squad members were forming quickly during the first camp in Canberra.
"The bond is growing and it's stronger than what I thought it might have been by this point," Ms White said.
"We've only known each other for a few days....they've been really impactful days and a lot of sharing.
Ms White, who works in First Nations health education for physiotherapy students in Melbourne, said her goal is to use the experience to influence her academic work and healthcare delivery.
"To be able to incorporate many of the learnings from this experience and feed that into my teaching - so that physio students come out as more culturally and clinically safe - that's something I'm really passionate about."
With a limited previous long-distance running background, Ms White said the challenge was part of the appeal.
"I wanted to push myself physically, mentally, spiritually into a place I haven't been before," she said.
The New York marathon is not guaranteed. Squad members must remain injury-free and complete a 30km test event in Mparntwe/Alice Springs to qualify.
Ms White said the broader impact of the squad goes beyond the finish line.
"One of the main things is contributing to that positive story," she said.
"I think so much in the media and other areas of life...you hear about negative statistics, but to be able to contribute to a positive story of mob that is self using self determination to do something we're passionate about."
According to IMP Founder and Director, former World Marathon Champion Robert de Castella AO MBE, it's exciting to see what's ahead for the squad.
"The Indigenous Marathon Project is now in its 16th year, and it's a privilege to walk side by side with another group of wonderful First Nations young people who have put their hands up to work hard and be healthy role models for others," Mr de Castella said.
"And importantly, learn more about themselves in this process."
