RUN Geordie Run hero Mark Allison is aiming to blast through the £100,000 fundraising barrier with a major charity ball in Newcastle followed by a marathon in Northumberland.
The 40-year-old from Shotley Bridge, who ran 3,100 miles across America in 100 days, has so far been pledged £87,300 to be shared between St Benedict’s Hospice in Sunderland, where his late mother battled cancer, and The Children’s Foundation.
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Mark arrives at Newcastle airport
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Mark hugging his son Jack
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Mark's son Jack
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Crowds of well-wishers greet Mark at Newcastle Airport
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Mark arrives at Newcastle Airport
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Mark is reunited with his wife and son
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Mark in training for the run
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Running in sweltering heat across the US
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Run Geordie Run cartoon by Gary Hogg
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Mark with ex-Newcastle United Star Paul Bracewell
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Mark on day 71 of his challenge
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Fitness trainers Mark Fleming and David Fairlamb join Mark on his journey
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Run Geordie Run cartoon by Gary Hogg
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Mark with Kansas state trooper Bryan Clark
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Mark in training
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Mark in Kansas
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Mark gets new Brooks trainers from Northern Runner's Gavin Bannister
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Mark in front of the Illinois Bridge
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Taking a dip in a lake at the end of day 71
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Alan Shearer shows his support for Mark
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Mark in Las Vegas
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Mark meets Newcastle manager Alan Pardew and defender Fabricio Coloccini
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Mark at the end of his mamoth run
And if the sell-out 300-place ball at the Gosforth Park Marriott Hotel tomorrow doesn’t break the six-figure barrier, then the Salomon Kielder Marathon on October 9 surely will.
Super-fit Mark said: “It’s overwhelming, it really is. You can’t put it into words or get a grasp of the reception I’ve had since coming back. It’s been fantastic.
“Once the ball is over on Saturday and the dust settles, I will step back and take it all in – and then start preparing for the Great North Run and the Kielder Marathon!”
Cramlington Paralympian Stephen Miller is among the guests for tomorrow’s bash and Mark insists his own achievements pale alongside those of Stephen, who has won gold medals and numerous other awards from his wheelchair.
“I have every admiration for Stephen and to have him there tomorrow is a thrill for me,” Mark said.
“Stephen has also done work for The Children’s Foundation and it is an honour to have him at the ball.”
As well as lectures and talks, Mark is entered for the Great North Run half-marathon – 13 miles – from Newcastle to South Shields on September 18 before the Kielder Marathon three weeks later.
He is eager to get his running shoes on again once his worn-out feet have recovered.
