Georgia Weir

Georgia Weir, a Kuku Yalanji woman, is an inspiring figure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
She is the creator and founder of Deadly Runners, a grassroots community-led initiative using running to create long-term change in people and communities.

She is a 23/24 recipient of an Entrepreneurial Fellowship for Social Change through the Snow Foundation, was nominated ACT Sports Person of the Year 2014, awarded the ACT NAIDOC Person of the Year 2015, and the recipient of the Member for Monaro Award- for her contribution to the community. She is a marathon runner, most recently running the Chicago Marathon in 2023, a mother of 5 and grandmother of 1.

Running has had a profound impact on Georgia. She has battled with poor mental health and addiction her entire life, turning to running in 2012 as an alternative coping strategy. 

In 2013 she ran the New York Marathon, which she describes as a life changing experience. At this point, the positive impact that running had on her mental health inspired her to obtain the relevant qualifications and start the Deadly Runners in her hometown of Queanbeyan NSW. 

From the start her intention was simple, she wanted to give her people the opportunity to feel how running made her feel. She wanted to give them access to free professional coaching removing the financial barriers to good health. 

Aimed at mob with little to zero running experience, Georgia consistently delivered her 5k Beginner program 3 times a week. While holding down a full-time job, raising kids, and training for marathons she stayed committed to the early mornings and in their first year, 34 participants ran their first 5k. Many also completed 10k and half marathons. Collectively they lost 150kg.

The popularity of the group grew on social media, eventually capturing local and national media attention including a documentary that aired on NITV. With this popularity came increasing demands from the community. To meet these demands and ensure the future of Deadly Runners, Georgia decided to quit her full-time job to focus on securing funds that would enable her to keep the program going. Her dream was to turn Deadly Runners into a sustainable business model and support her family by doing something she loved. 

Her vision was validated in early 2016 when with support, she secured funding to start the Canberra Deadly Runners. This was the first time Georgia would be paid to coach. Her hard work was paying off. 

Sadly, Georgia’s world came crashing down when a non-Indigenous organisation that had originally been supporting her began rolling out Deadly Runners as their initiative. The impact this had on Georgia and her family was devastatingly traumatic and life changing. It resulted in two years of drug addiction and the loss of their family home. 

In her words:

‘’I experienced the loss of something I had spent years creating and putting lots of time, love, and passion into, I was heartbroken”. 

In 2018, with the loving support of her family and friends, Georgia got clean and began her journey of healing. Attempts were made to resolve the Deadly Runners issue amicably. In 2019 Georgia trademarked Deadly Runners, though the application was opposed. This time she stood her ground against the well-resourced organisation and the dispute finally ended in 2021 when the opposition to the Trademark was eventually withdrawn. The re-birth of Deadly Runners had begun. 

After experiencing the trauma of the previous 5 years, the loss of her possessions, battling drug addiction, living out of a backpack, and moving from one abandoned unit to another, in 2021 Georgia was finally back doing what she loved, volunteering in the community 3 days a week coaching the Byron Bay Deadly Runners. 

In 2023 Georgia took up an opportunity on the far South Coast of NSW starting groups in Batemans Bay, Narooma, and Wallaga Lake. 

Deadly Runners Achievements

• In the past 12 months, 58 runners have participated in the program. 
• Of those 58, 17 Deadly Runners have completed National Accredited Training in Mental Health First Aid and Level 1 Coaching Certificates. 
• Deadly Runners have employed 1 full-time worker and hired 4 casual coaches. 
• Two cultural camps have been held by Deadly Runners, one at Mutitjulu, and the other at Mystery Bay.
• Under Georgia’s leadership, 133 First Nations people have participated in the Deadly Runners program. 
• Approximately 25 runners have gone on to run 10km. 
• Approximately 18 runners have completed a Half Marathon.
• 12 Deadly Runners have Completed a Full Marathon. Auntie Annette completed her first Marathon at age 65.

Some notable races the Deadly Runners have participated in are New York Marathon, Maui Marathon, Melbourne Marathon, Canberra Marathon, Sydney Marathon, Chicago Marathon, Gold Coast Marathon, Cit2Surf, Mother’s Day Classic, Sydney 10k the list goes on.

Not bad for a grassroots movement that started in the local Queanbeyan Park. 

Participation in the Deadly Runners program improves physical, mental and emotional health, though the real magic comes from bringing our mob together in a culturally safe space that allows for positive social connection. A space to share without judgment. A place where mob push and support each other, not just through running but through life. A place of empowerment and healing. 

‘’I still get blown away by the impact that Deadly Runners has had and continues to have. Seeing individuals and communities embrace Deadly Runners and experience a change that happens on so many levels is one of the most rewarding things to witness”.

Deadly Runners is a prime example of community-led solutions, of self-determination. Delivered by the mob, for the mob, in control of decisions that impact our people.