Newcastle Runner Sets Sight On Europe

Mark "Run Geordie Run" Allison is setting off on the next leg of his around the world charity run in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and The Children's Foundation.

Published 25th Apr 2016

A Newcastle man is setting off on the next leg of his charity run around the world.

Mark “Run Geordie Run” Allison is aiming to cover a distance of 20,000 miles in total - all in aid of two charities very close to his heart - the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and The Children’s Foundation.

Back in 1994 Mark sadly lost his mum to cancer – and ever since has made it his mission to fundraise for charities in the hope that someday in the future a cure might be found.

Mark told us why he chose to support those charities:

“The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation really attacks the disease through research and treatment and that appeals to me. I think one-day cancer will be eradicated – many generations down the line perhaps. The charity funds world class equipment right here in the North East.

I also chose the Children’s foundation because I’ve got a young son myself, so feel it’s appropriate to raise funds for a children’s charity. They fund such a broad range of projects such as ‘The Clown Doctors’ at the Great North Children’s Hospital.”

“The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation really attacks the disease through research and treatment and that appeals to me. I think one-day cancer will be eradicated – many generations down the line perhaps. The charity funds world class equipment and research right here in the North East.

I also chose the Children’s foundation because I’ve got a young son myself, so feel it’s appropriate to raise funds for a children’s charity. They fund such a broad range of projects such as ‘The Clown Doctors’ at the Great North Children’s Hospital.”

But this isn’t the first long distance challenge Mark has done for charity, he’s already run the length of the UK, jogged across America and covered the span of Australia.

The next stage of the “Run Geordie Run” 20,000-mile mission will see him tackle a punishing 3,400 mile run through Europe. Along the way he’ll visit 14 countries and take on 15 brutal Tour De France Climbs.

The route passes through Portugal, Spain, Andorra, France, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece before coming to an end in Turkey.

In order to cover the full 3,400 miles in 100 days, Mark will have to run between 35 and 38 miles every day.

The latest leg of the challenge will start in Lisbon and all being well, finish in Istanbul on 8th August.

Mark says:

“My main aim is to do the two charities justice and repay the faith people have put in me when they’ve donated”

For more information about Mark’s Run Geordie Run mission, click here to visit the website.

To donate visit his Virgin Money link here - www.virginmoneygiving.com/rungeordierun.