HE’S run more than half way across the United States, but marathon runner Mark Allison is calling in the “Big Guns” for moral support.

North man Mark is currently more than half way through an epic journey which will see him run across the US from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast.

The County Durham athlete has already covered more than 1,600 miles – many of them running solo.

But the 39-year-old will be able to rely on some running buddies this week as a team of super fit supporters are jetting out to join him.

Fitness fanatics Dave Fairlamb, Steve Harrison and Mark Fleming have spent the weekend flying out to Indianapolis, the state capital of Indiana, to meet Mark and are expected to start running with him today.

Journal columnist and private trainer Dave, who runs a gym in North Shields, said: “I’m really looking forward to getting on the road with Mark and offering him some support. I’ve been following him on his blog, but it’ll be great to catch up and hear first hand about the adventures he has been through.”

Mark is trying to average around 31 miles each day to cover the distance between the two coast lines in 100 days.

Although Dave, who has to stay fit for a living, is going out to provide support he admits the running will also test him.

He said: “I’ve had an operation on both my Achilles tendons and haven’t been doing much running lately.

“I think anything over six miles will be the most I have run since the beginning of the year.”

Mark, from Shotley Bridge near Consett, is hoping to raise £50,000 for two North East charities, the Children’s Foundation and St Benedict’s Hospice in Sunderland.