Cameron Manning hit the ground running when the proud Gomeroi man took his first steps into the painstaking sport of marathon running.

He began by getting a taste of building his legs for a half marathon in 2019.

Once that box was ticked Manning got serious, applying for one of the vacant spots for the 2020 Indigenous Marathon Foundation program and gradually doubling his training distances across six months to complete his introductory goal on Arrernte Country.

However his training occurred during a trying time when the pandemic limited travel and annual plans for his running mob to join the New York City Marathon were cancelled.

But after six completed marathons, including a promised first international run in Hawaii and another to come in Sydney, has solidified his convictions into a positive head space.

"Putting limits on your physical ability through your mind is something I had to overcome, which is what I've had to do over the last six years," Manning said.

"Overcoming those mental barriers, pushing through and then staying consistent with the course has been important.

"A lot of people run one marathon, and they see that as the finish line on their journey.

"Whereas for me, I ran my first one and I said that I wanted to continue doing this."

That momentum, sometimes with a kick of adrenalin, has inspired Manning to grow a small enterprise into a self-determined business in his label Fight Back Clothing.

"I just wanted to bring together a couple of my passions, areas that I have been involved in for a long time," he says.

"That is political activism and, of course, running.

"I've also been involved in both of those areas over a number of years, and I wanted to create a business based on those concepts, but while empowering Indigenous people, both with physical health and around education, and being politically active."

The 32-year-old has had plenty of time to think marching down the roads, whether it be pounding his feet for more than 42 kilometres to a finish line or protesting at a political rally.

Away from his competitive running, the calmly-spoken Manning is often spotted leading a march on the street with a megaphone in hand, wearing creative personalised clothing which promotes key Aboriginal causes.

"It's all an idea I have had for a few years but only decided to get it all started at the beginning of this year," he says.

"Basically, behind the clothing is creating mainly streetwear, but also some flat-running clothing as well that's focused on empowering Indigenous people and inspiring those people to be fit and healthy through some of the clothing as well as also having a political message."

Manning has been inspired by a mix of sporting heroes in his life and, at times, the moral stance they once famously took.

He calls out names such as Cathy Freeman, Nicky Winmar and Anthony Mundine, who fought against institutional racism and put forward a message about empowering Indigenous people to stand up against discrimination.

"I feel like I am building upon their legacy and using that platform to empower others," Manning said.

"You know that saying around that sport and politics don't mix, but to me I've always seen them going together and to hopefully unite people because sport is a known avenue to create social change."

Manning, who works full-time in Indigenous health, says the clothing trade is more than just about making profits.

"It's about the message behind it," he said.

"I never started it to make money or make a profit or anything like that.

"I wanted to send out that positive message, inspiring other Indigenous people, but also my brand is not exclusively for Indigenous people.

"All my clothing I say it's allied support – I want to encourage non-Indigenous people also to be involved and wear the clothing as well."

Starting out with caps, the apparel has been a way of spreading his own message.

The logo on the caps, designed by Gomeroi artist Shaun Duncan-Kinchela, sees a man running with an Aboriginal flag unfurling over his back, a representation integral for Manning to establish a distinct identity.

"To me it is about representing Indigenous wellbeing, Indigenous empowerment and it's a positive image of Indigenous people – that's kind of where it all stems from," he says.

"But it is also about being political.

"At the protests that I go to, I have always got that flag with me.

"It represents a political/social justice element."

Manning has also produced a range of t-shirts including other stern political slogans.

The next range of Fight back Clothing attire is unique Indigenous art, created by Manning's cousin Eric Brown.