The Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) uses running as a springboard to promote health and wellbeing for First Nations peoples. Being smarter with travel unlocks even more opportunities, as founder Robert de Castella explains.
Marathon champion Robert de Castella won gold in consecutive Commonwealth Games in the 1980s. Even back then, he noticed a glaring gap in Australian sport. “We had wonderful Indigenous athletes in AFL, rugby league, boxing and sprinting,” he says, “but there was a lack of representation in long-distance running.”
Confident that he could help uncover future champions, de Castella founded the Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP) in 2009 and the following year, four runners became the first Indigenous Australians to complete the famous New York City Marathon. In the years since, more than 140 program graduates have crossed the finish line.
The Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) was born from this success and has gone on to launch a series of school and community initatives. “We fly all around Australia to deliver our programs,” says de Castella, adding that cost-effective travel is essential to the not-for-profit group. “I was incredibly proud to represent Australia but what we’re doing now is more important.”
“Travel can be a life-changing experience for our runners”
“Each year we select a squad of 12 First Nations people aged 18 to 30 to train for the New York City Marathon. Our runners also complete a Certificate in Indigenous Leadership and Health Promotion, attain qualifications for CPR, first aid and mental health first aid, as well as running coach accreditation. They earn every pair of shoes, every shirt and every flight through their commitment and dedication to the training and the education program. For some, it’s their first time on a plane or even out of their community; when they come up from the subway in Times Square, the emotion on their faces is incredible.
We had an evaluation done a few years ago, which found that every dollar invested into the marathon project has returned approximately $6.60 of social, cultural and economic value. Booking travel through Qantas Business Rewards is important for us as a not-for-profit as it helps us further maximise the value of our investment. We access flight discounts and earn Qantas Points for the foundation, which we can use for future trips, stretching our budget further.”
Tip: As a Qantas Business Rewards member, you and your team can save up to 10% off the base fare of selected flights, plus up to 5% off Red e-Deals~.
“Bringing communities together deepens our long-term impact”
“Across Australia, we now have about 3000 people in our community running and walking groups. During National Reconciliation Week, we bring hundreds of them together for our Running and Walking National Championships, which were held in Mackay last year. It’s a huge logistical challenge – multiple flights from all over the country and trying to accommodate everyone in the same hotel or close by.
It’s a significant expense for the foundation and booking through Qantas Business Rewards helps us to reduce the costs by using points. We can then easily manage all the moving parts – flights, hotels and car hire – in one place, through our Business Account. The extensive Qantas regional network means our runners can get to the championships, even from remote parts of Australia.”
Tip: Did you know you can use your business' Qantas Points± to book flights across Qantas and selected partner airlines directly from your Business Account.
“Qantas helps us reach children in all corners of Australia”
“Our Indigenous Communities for Activity and Nutrition program focuses on small, remote communities to encourage school attendance and educate kids about healthy lifestyles. In 2023, IMF was awarded a Qantas Regional Grant, which enabled us to fly 50 students and their teachers from Far North Queensland, the Northern Territory, remote Western Australia and the Torres Strait Islands to Canberra for our first-ever championships.
We had a weekend of fitness-related games and activities, took the children to some of the local highlights in Canberra – including Government House and Questacon – and they took part in the Stromlo Running Festival. The opportunity was mind-blowing but for us, the work doesn’t end there. It’s important that we continue to get out into those communities and schools to have long-lasting impact.”
How businesses across regional Australia can save on travel costs
With Qantas Business Rewards, businesses of all types, including charities and regional organisations, can access member flight deals and use the Qantas network to get where they need to be.
Exclusive flight savings
Whether you fly a little or a lot, save up to 10% off the base fare of selected flights with Qantas, oneworld and partner airlines.~
Extensive Qantas network
With over 1,300 destinations across Australia and the world, the Qantas network is built to make it easier for Australian businesses to get around.
Important Information
* A business must be a Qantas Business Rewards Member to earn Qantas Points for the business. A one-off joining fee of $89.50 applies, is inclusive of any applicable GST and may be varied by Qantas from time to time, without notice, in its absolute discretion. Membership and Qantas Points for business are offered under the Qantas Business Rewards Terms and Conditions and earning thresholds apply.
~ Savings are available exclusively to Qantas Business Rewards Members on the base fare of selected fares only and do not apply to taxes, fees and carrier charges. Availability is limited. Member Deals are subject to the Qantas Business Rewards Terms and Conditions.
± Qantas Points earned on air travel are determined in accordance with the Airline Earn Table. A Member's ABN and traveller's Qantas Frequent Flyer membership number must be quoted at the time of booking to earn Qantas Points for both the business and the traveller. An eligible flight means a domestic or international flight which has a Qantas 'QF' flight number on the ticket that is purchased in Australia; has a ticket number commencing with '081'; and is booked and travelled for business on or after the date the business registers for Qantas Business Rewards. Exclusions apply. The number of points awarded varies according to the business’ flying Level. Subject to the Qantas Business Rewards Airline Reward Scheme Terms and Conditions, Qantas Points are earned for each segment travelled on Eligible Flights by a Qantas Business Rewards Flyer. A segment is a portion of the journey between two consecutive points listed on an itinerary. The number of Qantas Points earned in Qantas Business Rewards is calculated by applying the percentage Earn Rate to the number of Qantas Points earned by a Bronze Qantas Frequent Flyer member in each respective booking class (including cabin bonus and Minimum Points Guarantee if applicable and excluding any bonus Qantas Points which may be offered from time to time) as specified in the Qantas Frequent Flyer Categories in the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program, for the applicable travel date. A business must be a Qantas Business Rewards Member and registered for GST or be an Australian Public or Private entity or other incorporated company, and not be a travel agent or on a Corporate Deal with Qantas to earn Qantas Points for the business from flying.
We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work, live and fly.
We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.