Running with Purpose | More Than a Fast Time
Hello Rising Hearts community,
We have 2 Rising Hearts runner’s participating in the TCS Sydney Marathon in collaboration with one of our favorite partners, GU Energy Labs!!!! We also know of 2 more Indigenous runner’s participating in this world major marathon, that we want to celebrate and elevate!
This is such an incredible opportunity that came up with about 8 weeks notice for 2 of our friends. We made it happen! And they are excited for this international trip, run, and experience to be with other Indigenous runner’s, and meet new friends. One thing we want to spotlight, is Indigenous Peoples are everywhere. And we learned of this organization, The Indigenous Marathon Foundation, that creates space, and visibility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Indigenous Peoples. I (Jordan), ran the 2025 New York City Marathon, and met a handful of these runner’s that were part of the Indigenous Marathon Project. It was incredible to see them - to see that representation from so far away from their homelands, and the fundraising efforts that went into it. Please read below for more information about IMF and how our runner friend (below,), is fundraising to support IMF!
Scroll below, meet the runners and let’s cheer them all on!!!!
- Rising Hearts
NEXT AWARENESS + ACTION EVENTS:
+ TCS Sydney Marathon | August 30th (4 Indigenous Runners)
+ Run Richmond 16.19 x Team Rising Hearts | Sept. 12th
+ DC Half Marathon x Team Rising Hearts | Sept. 20th
+ 6th Annual Every Child Matters 5k. Virtual | Sept. 27- Oct. 3rd | REGISTER NOW!
+ 7th Annual Indigenous Peoples 5k, 10k, Half, Virtual | Oct. 9-13th | REGISTER NOW!
+ Marine Corps Marathon x Team Rising Hearts | Oct. 25th
+ US Trail Running Conference, Nashville, TN | Nov. 5-7th
+ The Running Event | Dec. 2026
What we strive for…
A reconciled, unified, and healthy Australia.
How we contribute…
Together we use running to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, strength, and achievements, to empower inspirational leaders.
We…
Respect, recognise and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, perspectives, and aspirations.
Improve the health, wellbeing, quality of life and physical literacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through running (and walking).
Provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to inspire themselves, their families, communities, and the nation.
Foster opportunities through running for reconciliation and education.
Exemplify integrity and excellence in everything we do.
The Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP) was established in 2009 by world marathon champion, Rob de Castella, and in 2010 four Indigenous Australians created history as the first to run in the world’s biggest marathon – the New York City Marathon.
MEET THE RUNNERS
Bronwyn Smith | Marathon Runner, Mom, Healthcare Professional
I’m Bronwyn Smith, a Navajo (Diné) woman from LeChee, Arizona, a mom, healthcare professional, and runner. Running has become a way for me to make space for movement, community, and representation—especially for Native people who may not always see themselves represented in distance running.
I’m running the Sydney Marathon because I wanted to take on another World Major while representing where I come from. I’ve run Chicago and New York, and Sydney will be my third.
Training has been a mix of early mornings, long runs, work, motherhood, and figuring out how to fit it all in. It hasn’t been perfect, but I’ve kept showing up.
What I’m most excited about is running in another country while carrying my community with me. As a Diné runner from Northern Arizona, I know how powerful it can be to see someone from your own community doing something you may not have thought was possible for you. I also can't wait to reflect back on this experience one day and say, "I did that!".
I don’t have a formal fundraiser, but if you’d like to support my trip to Sydney, you can find me on Venmo at @Bronwyn-Bitsilly. No pressure at all—just grateful for the people who have followed along and cheered me on.
LET’S CHEER ON BRONWYN!!!
RACE DAY: August 30th
Group 1 - Orange Assembly G
Robyn Michaud | Marathon Runner
My name is Robyn Michaud and I am Anishinaabe Kwe from Sagamok Anishinawbek First Nation, currently living in southwestern Ontario, Canada. I took up marathoning in 2012 after being diagnosed with a spinal cord injury called syringomyelia. In spite of my SCI, I have since run 56 marathons and ultramarathons all over the world. I am proud to be an Assistant Professor of Indigenous Education at Western University, a jingle dancer, mom and foster mom to eight, as well as an auntie to many in my community.
I was fortunate to have completed my Six Star journey in Tokyo in 2024, just before they expanded the World Majors to Sydney. This year I entered the Sydney ballot on a whim and got in on my first try! For me, when things like this happen, I see it as a sign of something that was meant to be so I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. To make this journey more meaningful, I am raising money for the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, an organization that promotes healthy living and leadership in Indigenous communities through running.
+ Robyn is raising funds for the Indigenous Marathon Foundation - The Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) is a health promotion charity that uses running to celebrate Indigenous resilience and achievement, and create inspirational Indigenous role models.
LET’S CHEER ON ROBYN!!!
RACE DAY: August 30th
Group 4 - Green Assembly E
Alex Staten | Ultrarunner, Athlete Advocate
Alex Staten is a Diné and Mexican ultrarunner based in Fayetteville, AR. She is a Rising Hearts Advocate Athlete and co-leader of her local Trail Sisters group. Running has been a way for Alex to connect to her culture and has helped her define her ‘why’. Her involvement with Rising Hearts has added even more purpose to her running and has connected her to others in the community who want to use running as advocacy. I'm running the Sydney Marathon to represent Rising Hearts and GU Energy, and I hope my presence there will bring more awareness to Indigenous people and organizations like Rising Hearts. Summer training in Arkansas is tough, but I'm excited to experience an Australian winter. I’ve had some setbacks this summer due to illness, but I know I can cover the distance and the support from my family will carry me. Aside from traveling to and being in Australia, I'm excited to spend time with fellow Rising Hearts athlete, Cali, and to connect with other Indigenous runners. I've also never run a race with this many people, and I'm excited to experience the energy.
DONATE HERE FOR ALEX’S FUNDRAISER
LET’S CHEER ON ALEX!!!
RACE DAY: August 30th
Group 3 - Orange Assembly G
Caleigh Curley | Athlete Advocate, Ultrarunner
Caleigh Alicyn Curley (she/her/hers) is a Diné and Hopi woman from Ganado, Arizona, within the Navajo Nation, and Second Mesa, Arizona, within the Hopi Nation. She is Tangle Clan, born for the Bitterwater Clan; her maternal grandfather is Hopi (Sun Clan), and her paternal grandfather is Towering House Clan.
Caleigh is a doctoral candidate at the University of Arizona, pursuing a Doctorate in Public Health Policy. Her academic and personal work is grounded in a commitment to sustaining and improving the health and quality of life of Indigenous communities through public health, Indigenous data sovereignty, and public health policy.
Through running, Caleigh hopes to inspire others to pursue their goals, embrace movement, and recognize the strength that comes from running with purpose. She is excited to run her sixth marathon and first Abbott World Marathon Major in Sydney, Australia, on August 30. She is honored to represent her family, her communities, and Rising Hearts x GU on an international stage, carrying with her the people, places, and values that inspire her journey.
Purpose: I’m running the Sydney Marathon because when I was given this opportunity, I knew I couldn’t say no. I’ve always dreamed of running the Abbott World Marathon Majors, and I imagined that journey would begin with one of the races here in the United States. I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to run one internationally, especially before running any of the U.S. majors.
I am incredibly honored and excited to experience this milestone and to represent my family, my community, and Rising Hearts on an international stage. For me, running has always been about more than crossing a finish line; it is an opportunity to carry the people and communities who inspire me wherever I go.
Training has been tough, especially because I didn’t have much of a break between my last marathon, the Missoula Marathon in late June, and Sydney. With the support of nutrition through GU and gear through Rising Hearts, the training process has been much less stressful and has allowed me to focus on preparing both physically and mentally for race day. I’m incredibly grateful to have this support system behind me throughout this journey.
More than anything, I’m especially looking forward to experiencing Sydney and being on the lands of Aboriginal Peoples, while learning more about the Indigenous communities, cultures, and histories of the region. As an Indigenous runner, I’m especially looking forward to earning a medal designed by Ambrose Killian, an Aboriginal artist and endurance athlete.
LET’S CHEER ON CALI!!!
RACE DAY: August 30th
Group 1 - Green Assembly F
RUN FOR RISING HEARTS
Want to run and fundraise for Rising Hearts!? We are looking for 10 more runner’s who want to turn their running or movement into purpose, by fundraising for the heart work we do.
We just lost some funding that goes towards compensating our PTE Programs Coordinator role, and towards one of our events, The Running Event in 2026.
No penalties for not reaching your goal. You get some merch, some swag, and some GU! Read below for more information and options.
The Wander Project (TWP) is a nonprofit organization empowering individuals to make an impact in the communities they run and play in. We focus our efforts on enabling athletes to use running as a mechanism for raising awareness and funds for causes close to their heart. Our supporters raise awareness for a wide range of topics including environmental sustainability, mental health, indigenous voices, physical disabilities, and much more.
2026 RACES ARE OPEN!
WANT TO RACE FOR RISING HEARTS OUTSIDE OF THESE WE HAVE SELECTED?
Not seeing a race you want to run in this list? Check out all of the Wander Project events and choose the “Your Choice” option. They will reach out to learn more about your charity of choice and once you let them know that you’ll be running for Rising Hearts, they will make sure your funds come to support our mission!”
Athletes who want to support Rising Hearts for a race that is not listed, can sign up for any of the events on The Wander Project calendar: https://www.wanderproject.org/event-partners/ and pick 'Your Choice' for charity and then fill out the form to indicate they want to support Rising Hearts: (FAQ page here: https://www.wanderproject.org/athletes/frequently-asked-questions/)
Want to run for Rising Hearts?
This is more new for us! We have a givelively link specifically for runners/individuals, who want to raise funds for the heart work we do! If it’s not through our partnership with The Wander Project, or our other partners at CIM or Boston, you can run for Rising Hearts at any race you choose and bring more fun and purpose to your why and the run.
We hope to get 35 Rising Hearts runners! And we have 25 runners now :) With a $36,400 projection of funds raised by the end of the year!
Suggested fundraising limits:
RH Athletes / Community = $500
Open to Community = minimum $800
Perks: RH Singlet, merch, stickers, fuel, and if shoes are needed, we can help you!
