Mark Allison left his home Tuesday morning with mixed feelings and a suitcase bulging under the strain of several pairs of running shoes.
The next time he sees it, and his family, it will be mid-August and he’ll be requiring a rest.
Mark’s road is long, but we’re glad to share it with him.
Mark – aka Run Geordie Run – is travelling to Los Angeles to make the final preparations for his astonishing expedition, a 3100-mile run across the United States in just 100 days.
He’ll leave Huntington Beach in California on Sunday, on foot, and run 32 miles a day, until reaching his final destination, Coney Island, New York, on August 8.
Here in Saunderstown, we’re delighted to support Mark as he strives to raise funds for St Benedict’s Hospice and The Children’s Foundation, good causes in the UK close to his heart.
It goes without saying that we’re thrilled that Mark has chosen Chara – one of our OMs, made right here in Rhode Island – to be his official mascot and good luck charm.
Prior to Mark’s departure from the UK, we sent him Chara, who he chose to help remind him of his wife Katy and son Jack, during his long and difficult challenge.
Mark agreed to take Chara on the road with him as he passes through 13 states on his incredible coast-to-coast route. We also sent Jack an OM to help remind him of his dad’s remarkable endeavour.
Here at OM HQ, we’re proud to support Mark, who is hoping to raise just over $81,000 for his good causes.
He is over halfway to reaching that target.
We will be charting Mark and Chara’s progress across the United States here on our blog, our website and our Facebook page so check back often for the latest news on Mark.
In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Mark, please visit www.rungeordierun.com or fan Mark on his Facebook page .
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun1 or www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun2
And if you would like to leave Mark a message of support, please be sure to give us a mention!