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Kakadu Runners making history

15 July 2016

runners-group Aaiden Huxquin, Emma Cameron and Caylis Perik.

Local athletes will represent the region in the National Indigenous Deadly Fun Run Championship to be held in Uluru on July 16.

Four members of the Kakadu Deadly Runners have been undergoing training for the much-anticipated event, organised through the Indigenous Marathon Project which encourages running and walking in remote communities.

This is the first time in history a team from Kakadu Deadly Runners will participate in the event.

Local runners Emily Peterson, Caylis Perik, Jaxen Mitchell and Aaiden Huxquin were selected in April to take part in the event, with Leah Baker also selected but is unable to compete due to an injury.

Project squad member and organiser Emma Cameron said the try-outs led to a great team being put together for the national event.

“We put the call out for people who don’t need to be the best, but they are role models or potential role models who put in the hard work,” Emma said.

“They are all amazing young people and are all doing really well,” she said.

All competitors have prepared for the event by training three times a week in the lead up to this weekend.

“They are all young and very motivated and train hard,” Emma said.

The runners will all compete in individual events as well as a team relay with Emma as the graduate runner.

Emma will join team manager Trish Miller to take the team down, with Trish adding that the team has come along way to get this far.

“We started the Kakadu Runners to create a ripple effect to promote health and fitness to all ages. They have all come along way to be able to run distance, as well as improving their fitness and mental capability,” she said.

Meanwhile, Kakadu runner Caylis said he is excited about meeting new people and representing the region at the upcoming event.

“I am feeling confident but I do have a few butterflies. I’m going to really push my heart out,” he said.

Caylis said the Kakadu Deadly Runners is a great club, and despite being a small community, it allows you to get out and do great things.

“It is really good for me. I have to thank Trish and Emma for pushing me as well as my family.”

Trish said the hype around the event has also sparked interest in the community, and training is set to continue when the team returns.

She also wanted to thank the community and sponsors of the Kakadu Deadly Runners.

“We rely heavily on sponsorship and the community has really come together to help out,” she said.

Trish wished to thank Kakadu West Arnhem Social Trust, West Arnhem Regional Council, the local firies, Anna Egerton, Jillian May, the Crocodile Hotel, families and friends.

The runners will head to Uluru on Friday, July 15 and it is expected that 16 communities from around Australia will be represented at the event.