Durham man on track for American charity run

Dec 9 2010 by Alastair Craig, The Journal

MARATHON man Mark Allison is back pounding the roads in a renewed bid to run the breadth of America.

Mark’s dream of conquering one of the world’s great running feats suffered a blow in May when he broke an ankle during a bike ride.

The 38-year-old was halfway through a two-year training regime to run the 3,100 miles across the US in 100 days.

But the dad-of-one’s progress was hit with a setback after an accident left him in hospital for two days needing surgery to his ankle.

His bone snapped during a coast-to-coast trip after a puncture sent him flying from his bike near his home in Shotley Bridge, County Durham.

Six months after having metal pins inserted into his shattered joint, Mark has fought his way back to fitness and managed to complete a 107.1-mile run from Edinburgh Castle to the Keep in Newcastle.

“There have only been 14 people from the UK who have ran across America since the first in 1928,” he said.

“Not one of them came from Geordieland – it’s time to draw a black and white line across that map.” Mark, an IT contractor for Northern Rock, aims to become the first Geordie to run from California to New York next year, to raise £50,000 for the Children’s Foundation and St Benedict’s Hospice in Sunderland.

Libby Nolan, fundraising manager for the Children’s Foundation, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Mark has chosen to support The Children’s Foundation as part of his Run Geordie Run USA challenge.

“The money raised will make a huge difference, helping us enable research and create partnership programmes designed to improve the health and wellbeing of children across the North East.”

Sponsorship for his latest run pushed the current fundraising total to over £19,000 – with £16,575 of that already awarded to the two charities.

Mark’s mother spent her final days in St Benedict’s Hospice, as her brave battle against cancer came to an end in 1995.

“The caring and professional hospice staff ensured my mum was as comfortable as possible and gave her a dignified end to her life,” he said.

“The hospice is currently launching an appeal to extend its Hospice at Home service to allow its palliative care team to care for patients across Sunderland and South Tyneside at home. I hope to contribute to that fundraising as much as possible”

Mark will be running in memory of his mother Margery, as well as his father Terry who died of cancer in 1988 and his brother David who died from a brain haemorrhage in 1998.

For a £2 donation, members of the public can ask Mark to run a “mile in memory” of their lost loved one.

:: For more information or to make a donation visit: www.rungeordierun.com