Chester Hill High School teacher David Criniti has been announced as the recipient of the esteemed 2023 Peter Norman Humanitarian Award, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the community through his not-for-profit organisation, The Run Beyond Project.

Presented each year on Peter Norman Day by Athletics Australia, the Award honours the famed Australian sprinter, widely known for his legacy as an athlete and advocate for human rights. 

 

 

 

 

The Award celebrates individuals within the Australian athletics community who exemplify the spirit of the late great athlete and encourages exceptional work in human rights, equality or humanitarian causes. 

 

“I’ve always loved running and I love teaching and the ability to empower students so that they can reach their potential. To be able to use running – something that has given me so much and means so much to me – to empower kids, that means a lot to me,” Criniti said.

“I always had a drive to help the kids in front of me, it’s why I do what I do, but it’s because of the running community and other teachers wanting to implement something similar in their classrooms that it has grown from a project at one high school to now 30-odd schools far and wide from here in Sydney all the way to Darwin.”

Inspired by his work as an English as a Second Language teacher at South West Sydney’s Chester Hill High School for disadvantaged students, Criniti founded The Run Beyond Project in 2015 when he encouraged five of his students, all from refugee backgrounds, to go beyond what they thought was possible and train for a half marathon.

His passion for seeing his students overcoming challenges quickly developed into a program and then a registered charity.  From 2015 until today, his work has seen 300 students achieve their goal, with each of them graduating from The Run Beyond Project with a strong sense of worth and a positive life experience through social inclusion and participation.

“Run Beyond is a community. It’s not just me, one individual. It needs to be said that there are so many people that have contributed to grow us to where we are at. Teachers from the 30-odd schools that have given up their time week after week, people from running clubs who have contributed volunteer hours to get our kids to start lines and finish lines have made this happen,” Criniti said.

“It’s the people behind the scenes who have made this happen, to evolve from a project at one school into a registered charity. That’s the wonderful thing about the running community. They give their time and their effort and support to make this community grow and that’s what Run Beyond is doing. This Award also belongs to them.”

 

 

 

Criniti discovered his love of running in primary school and has been a proud member of the Sydney Striders running group since 2003.

“That’s the thing about running. For me it’s not about fast times or PBs, it’s about the community and empowering those people who are in our community who need our support the most. I’m so glad that The Run Beyond Project is bringing people from the margins into our community and more of a diverse range to our start lines,” Criniti said.

Chair of Athletics Australia’s Special Awards Committee Jane Flemming said she was proud to see an individual from the Australian athletics community make a real difference in the lives of others through the power of athletics. 

“David’s dedication to empowering young people through The Run Beyond Project is truly inspiring. His innovative approach, using running and mentoring, has had a transformative impact on the lives of so many and we are delighted to present him with the 2023 Peter Norman Humanitarian Award, in recognition of his commitment to creating positive change,” Flemming said.

“David is also proof that you don’t have to be an elite athlete or in the spotlight to be a source of inspiration or make a difference in a community, and we hope that David’s story and this Award encourages more people to stand up for what they believe in for social change, just as Peter Norman did so many years ago.”

In supporting Criniti’s philanthropic efforts, Athletics Australia will make a donation to The Run Beyond Project.  

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia

Athletics Australia is the national governing body for the sport of athletics in Australia and is the only organisation recognised as such by World Athletics, Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia, Commonwealth Games Australia and the Australian Sports Commission.

Together with our State and Territory-based Member Associations, we are charged with ensuring the encouragement, pathway and promotion of athletics in Australia and acting in the best interests of the sport of athletics across the full spectrum of ages and levels – from children through to masters athletes and from participation through to high performance.