Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2024

Natasha, a proud Gummipingal woman of the Worimi people from Port Stephens Karuah NSW, was selected to participate in the The Indigenous Marathon Foundation Project in 2017, a program which strives to showcase the strength of Australia’s First Nations cultures and peoples on the world stage.

Each year, just 12 Indigenous Australians, out of over 150 applications, are chosen to form the years IMP Squad, most of them having limited or no previous running experience. They go on to train for 6 months, mainly in their home communities alone, with the guidance of the IMP head coach and founder Rob DeCastella, before taking on the world’s largest marathon, the New York Marathon. They participate in an education component and coaching course to be able to come back to their communities to drive change.

Natasha works closely with Indigenous students in her community, facilitating an extra curriculum program designed to improve the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of her students. Natasha’s mentorship and guidance fosters a whole wellbeing, and it has been stated to have a profound impact on the children she works with. Natasha Leslie is a devoted athlete and an asset to her community.

Queensland Walks is proud to support the work of all IMF walkers and runners, and recognise #NAIDOCWeek2024 and our First Nations leaders in walking and running. There are 13 Indigenous Marathon Foundation Run and Walking groups in Queensland with new IMP marathon runners announced every year.

Congratulations Natasha!