At the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF), the marathon is just the beginning.
The FrontRunners program supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander men and women who have graduated from the Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP) by completing their IMP education program and completing their IMP international marathon. It also includes selected senior IMF Running and Walking (RAW) Run Leaders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and continue to inspire their communities.
FrontRunners provides tailored mentoring, professional development, and small grants to support alumni-led initiatives that drive positive change in their communities. The purpose of the program is to sustain a growing network of First Nations leaders who are making meaningful impacts across health, sport, and social outcomes throughout Australia.
The program offers access to grants that support:
• Participation in international and domestic marathons
• Education and career development pathways
• Health promotion and community wellbeing initiatives
• Sports diplomacy opportunities.
The FrontRunners program offers more than just financial support — it’s an investment in First Nations leaders who create ripple effects of change beyond the finish line through:
Elevating others
FrontRunners become mentors and role models, guiding the next generation of First Nations leaders through sport, education, and cultural pride.
Doing hard things
Each step taken by a FrontRunner is a testament to strength, perseverance, and the ability to do hard things — on the track and in life.
Bringing people together
FrontRunners build strength, confidence and a lasting legacy through alumni-led initiatives that build agency, unity and connection.
Elsie Seriat
OAM, 2014
IMP graduate
#39
Elsie Seriat OAM’s journey from 2014 IMP graduate to Torres Shire Mayor reflects the power of courage, belief, and opportunity. A proud Wagadagum woman from Mabuiag Island with Kaurareg heritage, she made history in 2024 as the first Kaurareg Traditional Owner-elected Mayor, inspiring her community as a leader and role model.
Sissy Austin,
2023
IMP graduate
#138
Sissy Austin is a Peek Woorroong, Keerraay Woorroong, Djab Wurrung First Nations woman living on Dja Dja Wurrung Country and 2023 IMP graduate. A survivor of a running attack, Sissy founded Take Back the Track, a national movement which exists to help women and gender-diverse runners to feel safe, validated, and included.
Arthur “Tiga”
Pitt, 2023
IMP graduate
#134
A 2023 IMP graduate and Torres Strait Islander man with ties to Murray (Mer) and Darnley (Erub) Islands, Tiga Pitt has turned personal sporting setbacks into a thriving business in Perth, ATP Performance Physiology, specialising in athletic development and rehabilitation, and leading by example in his community.
Libby Cook-
Black, 2020
IMP graduate
#106
Libby Cook-Black is a proud Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait Islander) woman and 2020 IMP graduate #106. A former elite athlete across netball, touch football, rugby, and rugby league, she founded The Female Co., which uses sport as a launchpad for young women to pursue leadership, wellbeing, education, and employment opportunities.
Korey
Summers, 2012
IMP graduate
#18
Korey Summers, an Arrernte and Arabana man and 2012 IMP graduate #18, ran 3:08 at the 2013 Tokyo Marathon after the 2012 New York Marathon was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy. He’s built a career at the ABC and is an award-winning photographer, with two images in the 2025 Wilderness Photographer of the Year Top 10.
Ray Landers
Ray Landers, proud Dieri, Anmatjere and Pitjantjatjara man and Senior IMF Run Leader (Semaphore South Australia), leads through action — Ray is contributing to improvements in student engagement and attendance, positive behaviour, confidence, and health literacy. Most notably, Ray radiates inspiration, enthusiasm, and kindness in every interaction.
Brendan Larcombe
Brendan Larcombe, proud Gooreng Gooreng and Minjungbal Bundjalung man and IMF RAW Redlynch Run Leader (Cairns, Queensland), inspires confidence, belonging, and personal growth. His love of running and doing hard things shines through when guiding and supporting students, IMF RAW communities and IMP graduates.
Ray Landers (Deputy Chairperson) and Brendan Larcombe (Committee Member) are also on our IMF Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee.
As part of the FrontRunners program, IMF RAW Run Leaders and Coaches TJ Cora, Tiana Brockhurst, and Libby Cook-Black were selected to participate in the 2025 Australia–Ethiopia Running Exchange — a sports diplomacy initiative delivered in partnership with DFAT, the Australian Embassy in Addis Ababa, IMF, and Great Ethiopian Run.
On this exchange, these Australian Olympic Committee-qualified coaches expanded their education through engagements with Haile Gebrselassie — two-time Olympic gold medallist and one of the greatest runners in history — and brought back knowledge, ideas and inspiration to help strengthen and grow distance running within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.
What is FrontRunners?
Our FrontRunners program supports IMP graduates and IMF RAW Run Leaders beyond the finish line, assisting with alumni-led initiatives that create ripple effects in communities.
Why is the FrontRunners program important?
IMF is committed to providing ongoing opportunities for IMP graduates and IMF RAW Run Leaders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, courage, and determination to continue as role models and changemakers for their families, friends and communities.
I’m an IMP grad or IMF RAW Run Leader. How do I apply for a FrontRunners grant?
You’ve already proven your strength, resilience, and leadership. Your story is just beginning. We encourage you to apply for a grant if you would like support to run an event on the world stage or an initiative that addresses:
- Chronic disease
- Education
- Employment and business
- Mental health and self-harm
- Incarceration and crime
- Substance abuse
- Violence and abuse.
How can my organisation support a FrontRunners initiative?
There are a number of ways your organisation can contribute to a FrontRunners initiative, including providing financial support, employment pathways and opportunities, or offering to be a mentor.
Through your support, our FrontRunners will have the opportunity to further their education, establish their own business, or start a project that addresses key challenges, as outlined previously.
Get in touch to support a FrontRunners initiative.
FrontRunners Grant Applications (Restricted Access)
The Expression of Interest (EOI) is for FrontRunners participants only.
Please enter the password provided by the Indigenous Marathon Foundation to access the FrontRunners Grant EOI.
If you believe you should have access, please contact theIMF team.
