When Blake Griffith runs it's about more than clocking up kilometres; it's about connecting to Country and "showcasing strength that we have as individuals and as young, deadly Indigenous leaders".
Griffith, 26, is a 2025 Indigenous Marathon Foundation squad member training for the group's major test - November's New York City Marathon.
"I think a big part of it is to really challenge myself," the Yorta Yorta and Kunjen man living in Sydney told National Indigenous Times.
"What we're doing isn't an easy task.
"Running has always been more of just a sport thing for me. It's such a great avenue to push yourself. You're running your own race, you're pushing your own boundaries. You're going past a lot of mental boundaries there, and you're building a lot of resilience."
Griffith works as a mentor for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and coaches the Aussie Rules team at his old high school Christian Brothers in Lewisham.
He said he wanted to "give back what was given to me" in terms of leadership and support from a principal who worked to engage with Indigenous students.
IMF's squad has been in training and building their CVs ahead of getting to the US - next up a 30km selection race in Mparntwe next month.
Both modern greats in their respective roles, Johnathan Thurston and Lance Franklin have joined; writing another chapter in their already remarkable sporting stories.
IMF dedicate their work to more than just supporting their athletes as athletes, but also to shaping community leaders and creating a 'ripple effect' improving the lives of First Nations people.
The foundation is currently looking to raise $1 million to support its list of programs.
The Make Your Mark campaign, launched this month with a sand art activation on Alexandra Headland Beach, asks Australians to mark their barefoot runs - connecting to the land in the process, to donate and offers digital playing cards of JT and Buddy.
IMF facilitates more than 150 free and inclusive events at present, with a goal to double this number.
Nyul Nyul Saltwater man, NAIDOC Award winner and sand artist Lowell Hunter crafted a symbolic foot print in the sand to kick off the campaign.
On a personal level, Griffith is taking a lot from his involvement in IMF's squad.
"You're connecting to something bigger than yourselves," he said.
"For the majority of my life, I've been running away from something, and mental health has been a big part of that.
"But with this program and the connections and support that we have, it's like I'm realising it's much bigger than...having that leadership and the training six days a week, the perseverance and having the community support around us and uplifting others around us has really spoken to me.
"And showcasing the strength that we have as individuals and as young, deadly Indigenous leaders to bring our people with us."
Griffith said the young people he works with at school have gotten around him on the journey.
"It's already creating that ripple effect," he said.
