Chief Pilot of Queensland Government Air (QGAir), Trevor Wilson has taken part in the Indigenous Marathon Foundation’s Virtual Run challenge.
In a statement, the Foundation, which was established in 2009, said challenge entrants could complete their run anywhere in Australia or the world throughout November and had the opportunity to share their photos and experiences on social media.
Mr Wilson (pictured) said he had always run for fitness and got into marathon running in his early 50s.
He chose to run his version of this year’s virtual marathon on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), home to the Quandamooka people.
“I try to run a marathon each week, so thought I may as well do it for a cause, paying tribute to the traditional land owners on Minjerribah where I spend a lot of time, and to promote resilience, movement and achievement in line with the Foundation’s goals,” Mr Wilson said.
Training for the event had also helped him with his role in the Queensland Police Service (QPS), by taking time out for his own mental health.
He said he preferred to run overnight to fit his runs in with his work as a full-time pilot.
Mr Wilson was supported by Superintendent at the QPS, Kerry Johnson and the QPS’s First Nations and Multicultural Affairs Unit.
Superintendent Johnson said the cultural significance of Mr Wilson’s route made it all the more meaningful.
“It’s been fantastic to see Trevor complete his run and support this wonderful initiative which aims to get more First Nations people into marathon running, encouraging resilience and movement,” he said.
QGAir delivers lifesaving, community safety and aviation services to Queenslanders and its fleet consists of six fixed-wing aircraft and five helicopters.
