A TABULAM woman is verging on completing a dream after she was selected to run in one of the world’s premier marathons.
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An advertisement in the Koori Mail that said ‘once in a lifetime opportunity to run the New York Marathon’ came at an opportune time for Bundjalung woman Eileen Beyers.
The 30-year-old mother of four said she’d reached a crossroads in her life.
“I've been so overweight,” Eileen told ABC North Coast radio last week.
“I'd been drinking and smoking all the time. I hadn't worked. I struggled with talking and opening up.
“I really needed something to push me out of my comfort zone.”
Eileen called the number on the ad and travelled to Coffs Harbour in March to try out for Commonwealth Games legend Robert de Castella's Indigenous marathon squad.
In an effort to prove herself, Eileen also signed up for races in Canberra and Alice Springs.
“I had no running experience and did not know anything about running,” she said.
“I was cramped up and in so much pain. I came last, but I did it.”
Eileen has been training every day since and this week found out she had made the squad to compete in the New York Marathon on November 1.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd have the opportunity to run the biggest marathon in the world,” Eileen posted on her Facebook page after receiving the news.
“I am a proud Aboriginal Bundjalung woman and I will not only run it for myself but for my kids, my family, my community and my home town Tabulam.”
Eileen said she hoped to inspire other Tabulam residents who felt stuck.
“My goal is to show my family and friends there is so much more to life than drugs and alcohol, and if they want to live a healthy, active life I'll be there to mentor them.”