Charlie Maher, the first ever graduate of the Indigenous Marathon Program (IMP), has been appointed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Chief Officer of the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF). The move marks a new direction for the organisation, centring leadership from within the communities it serves.
A proud Western Arrarnta man, Maher brings with him not just a marathon record—he became the first Indigenous Australian to complete all six Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2022—but a deep understanding of what IMF represents on the ground.
“My mum taught me to lead through actions and to treat everyone equally and with respect,” Maher said. “I will carry that with me into this role: bringing people together, walking side by side with them. Rob changed my life—now it’s my turn to help build on his legacy at IMF.”
The “Rob” Maher refers to is Australian running legend Rob de Castella, who founded the IMF and remains its director. For de Castella, the appointment is both natural and long overdue. “Charlie embodies everything IMF stands for—resilience, leadership, humility, and a deep commitment to changing the health outcomes of First Nations peoples using running and walking as a vehicle for closing this gap,” he said.
Maher will now help set the cultural direction of the organisation, advising on programs such as RAW (Running and Walking groups) and I-CAN (Indigenous Communities, Activity and Nutrition), both of which aim to improve health outcomes in Indigenous communities across Australia. He will also oversee the formation of an advisory group comprising IMP graduates and RAW Run Leaders to provide lived experience input into program delivery.
IMF is increasingly seen not just as a health promotion charity, but as a movement. Its emphasis on walking, running, and structured community engagement is yielding change beyond the tracks. With Maher’s appointment, there’s a clear move to embed First Nations voices into all aspects of the organisation’s decisions—from policy to planning.
The foundation’s goal of a reconciled and healthy Australia now comes with a leadership framework that reflects that ambition. By placing Maher at the helm in a full-time executive role, the IMF sends a strong message about who should shape the future: the people at its heart.
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