Tamworth runners miss out on Alice Springs, but plan to take on Outback Marathon from home

Then along came coronavirus. But they won't let that stop them, planning to participate in the classic Australian race from home.

The group will take part in the run digitally, joining hundreds of others across Australia in the race online.

For leader Charlie Abra, Futures Mentor at Tamworth's Opportunity Hub, the virus has actually made the run more special.

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"We were a little bit down about the whole fact that it wasn't on, COVID and all that," she said.

"But I think the bigger picture is we're running for our culture, family and mental health.

"Health and wellness is so important, especially in the world we live in today. Look at what's happening in the world at the moment.

"We're going to channel that and use it on the day because that was what we're running for."

She said long distance running in particular had enormous significance to Indigenous culture, because it takes place in the natural environment.

They're taking steps to make the run as serious as possible, planning to map out a course in Tamworth and Attunga. They will even get to wear a race bib.

Once the race is over Marathon organisers will make a record of their time, and issue a race certificate.

Ms Abra joked that running in a Tamworth winter, on July 25, will actually make the race harder for them.

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"It'll be as real as possible, but it'll be us rather than hundreds of people that were going to be at the Outback. It'll be more special I think."

It will be the first marathon for most of them.

But with months of training under his belt participant, Latrell Allan, said the 42 kilometre run is no longer daunting for him.

"It did until we started doing 5 kilometre runs and it started to feel a bit better," he said.

"We sort of ran together at just a conversation pace so it helped it out a bit."

He said he was a bit sad not to get to see Alice Springs for the first time.

Joash Boney said it was going to be an exciting challenge. Asked what it felt like to finish a marathon he said "I guess we'll have to find out."

The team plans to tackle the Alice Springs track next year, COVID-19 permitting.