Kakadu Deadly Runners out in force

Kakadu Deadly Runners’ Keira Manning, Liz and Kailah Williams and Newt Minard represented the region at the National Indigenous Deadly Fun Run Championships recently.

Kakadu Deadly Runners (KDR) have been going strong since their start in April 2016, growing from four runners to now over 40 registered runners.
The KDR crew trains hard twice a week with a monthly morning hit out and welcomes everyone of all fitness levels.
So far this year, KDR has conquered the NTCity2Surf in Darwin with 13 runners completing the 4 kilometre mini surf event and Deadly runner Soxee Jenkins running in the 12 kilometres from the city to surf.
It was great to see a number of Jabiru Area School students including Nate Chapman, Sasha Grainer, Keira Manning and Amelia Simms leading the way, with Nate blitzing the 4 kilometre course at the time of 18:19.
The deadly runners were out in force at the event with other deadly runners and Indigenous Marathon Project Graduates Rachel Baker from Elcho Island and Charmaine Patrick and son from Hermansburg.
It was a great event and no doubt a regular event on the calendar for Kakadu Deadly Runners, who would like to thank the organisers of NTCity2Surf for the entries and their ongoing support for graduates of the Indigenous Marathon Project.
Meanwhile, on June 17 in the heart of Australia, Kakadu Deadly Runners’ Elizabeth Williams, Kailah Williams, Keira Manning and Newt Minard attended the sixth National Indigenous Deadly Fun Run Championships.
The individual events started early morning with Elizabeth, Kailah and Newt running in the 5km event and Keira running in the 3km event.
Later that afternoon, the Kakadu Deadly Runners teamed up for the 12km relay around Uluru. The event started and ended at the Mutijulu community, where the team got to meet and present this year’s baton, a traditional basket from Kakadu, to Anangu elders as a token of appreciation of running on their country.
This was a privilege and honour for everyone.
That evening at the awards dinner, Kakadu took home equal fourth overall from 18 communities (urban and rural) with only 10 seconds separating third place.
Also that evening, Kakadu took home first place in the Junior 10 and Under 3km event with Keira also awarded overall female junior champion.
In the senior category, 50 years and over, Kakadu runner, Liz Williams was awarded with second place.
Well done to all the runners. It was such a great weekend meeting all 18 teams from around the country and look forward to next year.
Kakadu Deadly Runners would like to thank Kakadu Lodge Cooinda and the Warradjan Cultural Centre for donating this year’s baton and we would also like to thank Mercure Crocodile Hotel and the West Arnhem Regional Council for their ongoing support.

The Kakadu Deadly Runners at the recent NTCity2Surf event in Darwin.