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Arbib to run London Marathon for Deek’s project

Published Tue 18 Apr 2017

Time will not be the main factor for Athletics Australia President Mark Arbib when he starts his fifth marathon this weekend, because he will be running the streets of London for a greater cause than a personal best.

The former federal sports minister will run to help raise funds for the Indigenous Marathon Foundation and make the trip to the English capital with Harold Matthew, the group’s first athlete to run the famous course.

Leading up to the race Arbib has been taking coaching advice from none other than former marathon champion Rob De Castella who heads the foundation and mentors those within the program.

“IMP is an outstanding charity who are using the power of sport, education and hope to positively change the lives of many Indigenous people and communities. It’s a cause I believe in and one we should all support.” Arbib explained.

“I am very lucky on the coaching side, IMP founder and our legendary Olympian, Rob De Castella is helping me with the program and giving me advice along the way.

“Rob has me running longer and slower than I ever have, it's an interesting change and I am learning a great deal.”

Following his political career, Arbib has held significant positions within multiple sporting organisations and teams.

He completed a successful review of the Australian Rugby Union’s corporate governance in 2012, served as a board member for Sydney FC and is currently a board member for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Arbib is also on the Packer Family Foundation’s board and late last year was appointed to the Australian Olympic Committee board, but still somehow finds the time to run.

"I have completed four marathons, two Ironman and a good number of half marathons, with my best time a 3.09 in New York a couple of years ago,” he said.

“I have gone nowhere near that time since, it must have been the crowd factor spurring me on.

“Unfortunately, between family, work and sports duties I have to fit my runs and training in whenever I can, which often means being out at 10pm getting a long run in and occasionally falling asleep on the foam roller.

“I only started the long runs about a month ago, but have some solid hit outs in the tank, I’ll definitely push hard to get under the magical 3-hour mark if I am feeling okay.”

You will often see Arbib taking part in a local parkrun on Saturday morning, a grassroots level of the sport he loves to be involved with both as an administrator and participant.

He was part of the Nitro Athletics parkrun that was held the morning before the final night of competition around Albert Park lake that set a record for the biggest ever in Australia.

“I love parkrun, it's leading a global running revolution,” he said.

“So far, I’ve run under 19 minutes a few times, but lack the consistency to get down to low 18s where my goal is.

“I feel blessed to be out there feeling fit and running well. Athletics is for life and I am meeting so many fantastic people through our sport.

“I'd say to anyone thinking about running a marathon - it's never too late to get started.”

The main purpose of this trip is to support the foundation and Matthew as he prepares for his fourth marathon since making his debut in New York three years ago.

Arbib has already met his fundraising target of $20,000 for the foundation and has lifted his aim for the cause.

However, another opportunity to attend a world-class sporting event to assess and take inspiration for the work that he does at Athletics Australia will not be missed by Arbib.

“It's part of my make up, I am always looking for how we can improve as a sport and learning from successful ventures,” he explained.

“We have made no secret that Nitro Athletics was modelled on cricket's Big Bash League and imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

“Already I can see that the London Marathon organisers are championing the community element of the race.

“By adopting mental health as the official charity and enlisting the young Royals, they are driving social change and developing important values for the event.

“The community has embraced the marathon in London, New York and many global cities – I would like to see the same in Australia.”

For Harold Matthew, a 33-year-old father of two from the remote Thursday Island in far North Queensland, it will be a trip of a lifetime that he will get to enjoy with his wife Deeanna.

He has been training hard, running 5km loops around his homeland to complete his program set by the great de Castella, which will hopefully see him to the finish line in a personal best time.

“It’s a lightning trip for me, and I am only on the ground for three days, so I'll be showing off the best of the city to Harold and if I am really lucky will get to the football on Saturday night,” said Arbib.

The London Marathon is on this Sunday and features a world-class entry lists for men and women that includes Australian distance stars Michael Shelley, Lisa Weightman and Jess Trengove.