John's great feat shows solidarity with poor

Sep 21 2009 By The Journal

A COUNCIL worker ran the final stretch of the Bupa Great North Run with no socks and shoes – carrying his trainers in his hands.

John McBride, a project assistant for Newcastle City Council was running for Cafod charity, when he braved the indentations of the road and took his socks and shoes off with one mile to go.

Mr McBride, 46 from Consett decided to run barefoot in order to experience what life was like in third world countries.

Cafod charity works in more than 60 countries worldwide, tackling poverty and injustice.

A member of Derwentside running club, Mr McBride said: "The idea came to me when I was lying in bed one night. I felt that I needed to focus on the charity that I was running for and what better way to do it than to experience the poverty first hand?"

After speaking to an aid worker in Kenya, it became clear to Mr McBride that poverty affected everyone in different ways. Shoes are a necessity that some people don’t have.

Having run the race three times before, the hardest mile for Mr McBride was not the last lap barefoot but the 11th mile on Reid Road, South Shields – scene of many a runner’s personal crisis.

He will continue to keep this tradition going next year, unless he can think of something more original.

Cafod’s regional organiser Ged Naughton said: "John is an inspiration to us all, he is the star of the charity. It is amazing to see such a shy and timid man do this kind of thing and help create awareness."

Mr McBride said: "My wife and family think I’m crazy."

His family were not there to great him at the finish line as his eldest daughter is due to start university in York St John’s.

Mr McBride will enjoy a well-deserved day off from work today.