Progress in the USA

Despite being on vacation for a few weeks watching Newcastle play in the USA, that hasn’t stopped the planning for the 3100 mile run across the USA in 2025. 

The main point of progress has been the early stages of recruiting a support team. I’m pleased to report that there are some excellent candidates showing an interest already. There’ll be a proper form on www.rungeordierun.com in August for those people who wish to apply to join the USA 2025 Support Team. 

I’ve now got the first 50 days of the run planned in detail. That route takes me through New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and half of Kansas. The rest of Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California will be completed in August. It’s a painstaking task but an enjoyable one all the same. 

I’ve began the search for a reasonably priced motorhome. Prices for 2025 are not yet available but I’m getting a good idea of what is available and at what price for 2024. Failing to secure such accommodation for myself and the support team will prevent the run going ahead. 

Still to do when I return to the UK, is to step up the search for additional commercial sponsors as well as people to contribute to the “Promise Fund” in aid of St. Benedict's Hospice. That support is also a must if the run is to go ahead. I’m hugely grateful to Chapman Ventilation who have already filled the role of main sponsor. 

There’s also the small matter of getting fit for the run. That’s is something that I’m rlooking forward to immensely. The volume, intensity, type and frequency of training will have to be similar to what I achieved in 2008-2010 before the last USA run. I’ll try not to break my ankle 11 months before the event this time!  

That’s some brief thoughts for now. I’m writing this at 37,000 ft on a flight from Atlanta to New Jersey. Don’t forget, if you’d like to find out more about the run or even support it through commercial sponsorship or the “Promise Fund” then the prospectus can be viewed here.

USA 2025 - A brilliant response

There has been a brilliant response to the announcement of the run across the USA to be undertaken in 2025. 

Given previous campaigns, it’s incredible to think that I already have a very kind main sponsor in place. That represents 50% of the total commercial backing needed for the run to take place. Once again, I’m incredibly grateful for the kind folk at Chapman Ventilation for their support which is now in its 12 year!

I’ll step up the search for the remaining commercial sponsors over the coming weeks and months. If you’d like to know further details then please read the sponsorship prospectus here:

Without adequate commercial backing, then the run across the USA won’t be possible. 

Details on how to contribute to the “Promise Fund” are also in the prospectus. This has been setup to attract a significant sum in aid of St. Benedict's Hospice. I’m looking for 25 businesses, workplaces or individuals to promise to donate £1000 to the hospice prior to the event going ahead. I’m very pleased to report that there are three such people who have come forward so far. Firstly, thank you to David Gateshill who took the first slot and the first individual to step forward. Secondly, thank you to Doors and Floors Direct based in North Tyne Industrial Estate who are the first business to sign up. Last but by no means least, thank you to Lesley Lynch who is heading up the first workplace to contribute to the Promise Fund. Let the bake sales, tombolas and sweepstakes commence. Without a full Promise Fund, then the run across the USA won’t be possible. 

With their promised £3000 and the £3075.88 already raised for St. Benedict’s Hospice this year, it’s safe to say that the USA 2025 fundraising campaign has got off to a terrific start. 

Again, if you’d like to help with fundraising / commercial sponsorship then please have a good look at the sponsorship prospectus and get in touch with a message or via sponsorship@rungeordierun.com. 

One aspect that I’m not progressing too much myself just yet, is finding a good quality set of people for the support team. However, I’ve been contacted by some fantastic people for this role already. That is really encouraging at this stage with 648 days to go before the start at Coney Island. Without a good support team, then the run across the USA won’t be possible. That's Stobbsy and Carlton below who were part of the Australia and Europe team. Carlton was also on the team in the USA in 2011.

One other thing to talk about is the route across the USA. I’m currently 30 days into the detailed route planning. The high level route has been settled for a few months now but each one of the 100 days need to be planned out in great detail. I’ll talk more about this in August as the detailed route planning comes to an end. Without a robust route plan and strategy, then the run across the USA won’t be possible. 

Finally, I’m currently trying to find the best and most cost effective option for mobile accommodation. The ideal scenario is that some kind individual in the USA comes forward with an offer to loan us an RV. Second to that, an affordable option would be most welcome. Without a viable and affordable option for a motorhome, then the run across the USA won’t be possible. The RV below is the one we had in the USA in 2011.

As you can see, there is a lot to think about and a lot of support required to make the run across the USA a success. I haven’t even mentioned training yet either. That begins in August where, if I don’t reach an unprecedented level of effort and discipline, then running 3100 miles across the USA via Death Valley in 100 days won’t be possible. 

What a task! But as my Dad used to say, you have got to work hard for anything that is worth having. That really will set the tone for the journey that lies ahead.

Run Geordie Run Across the USA 2025

My Dad Terry (pictured below) used to say that you should always have a plan B just in case plan A doesn't work out. That has generally been the case on any major run I've ever done with deviations to routes here and tweaks to plans there. That is certainly true right now. He was a very wise man was my Dad and his various proverbs, stories (not all true but valued nevertheless) and general philosophy on life are with me every day in many things that I do. It's fair to say, that despite his sad passing in 1988, he remains a huge influence on me and I believe Run Geordie Run and all it stands for is rooted in that. Anyway, more on that another time.

Continuing the run around the world in light of the pandemic and then subsequently the war in Ukraine means that my plan A of running the next stage from Kiev to Astana via Russia is just not possible right now. I've not given up on doing that when it's safe to do so however!

I've had my current plan B in my mind for just over a year now. It's such a tough challenge that it's going to take the best part of 22 months to plan, prepare and fundraise for it. 

I'm very happy to reveal to you exactly what my plans are. At the time of this blog post going live, I will have just finished talking about it live on BBC Radio Newcastle's breakfast show. Below is an extract from the press release that was sent out today that explains it all.

‘Run Geordie Run’ is the nickname given to Mark Allison, a volunteer fundraiser from Bedlington in the North East of England. He has a huge heart for raising money for good causes and a good pair of running shoes! 

So far, he has ran 10,000 miles in various places around the world. This includes running 874 miles from John O’Groats to Lands End, 3100 miles across the USA, 2384 miles across Australia and 3661 miles across Europe. 

Thanks to some amazing generosity, £350,000 has been raised so far for St. Benedict's Hospice, The Children's Foundation, The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Useful Vision. 

Next up is “ACROSS THE USA 2025” which is a 3100 mile Atlantic to Pacific, trans continental run across the United States of America from Coney Island, New York to Huntington Beach, California to be ran during the summer of 2025. 

In theory it’s a simple plan - Run from the east coast to the west coast of the USA in 100 days. This will require Mark to run an average of 31 miles every day giving a total of 3100 miles (4988 km). The route runs from east to west across the USA through 14 states. The start line will be at the Pat Auletta Steeplechase Pier at Coney Island, New York with a finish line at the pier in Huntington Beach, California.  

In between, will be miles of relentless climbing over the Appalachian, Rocky, San Juan and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, the seemingly never ending highways of the Great Plains as well as the solitude of Monument Valley. If that wasn’t difficult enough, the 130 mile stretch through Death Valley adds an even greater challenge both physically and logistically. 

Mark has already secured a main sponsor for the run across the USA 2025. Chapman Ventilation, a long term supporter of Mark’s events, will be contributing towards the cost of the tour. They said “Chapman Ventilation are delighted to continue supporting Mark for the 12th year now. Mark has raised a phenomenal amount of money for charities close to his heart and we are very excited to see him take on his next challenge, running across America. We all wish Mark the best of luck with his training and will be following his progress very closely.” 

Mark will seek additional commercial sponsors over the coming months. Mark is also seeking the support of 25 individuals, companies or workplaces who will “promise to donate” £1000 to St. Benedict's Hospice. This will be known collectively as the “Promise Fund”. The Promise Fund will only become payable to St. Benedict's Hospice when all commercial sponsors have been found. The Promise Fund has been created to raise a considerable sum for St. Benedict's Hospice prior to the event. 

Award winning personal trainer, David Fairlamb, will be helping Mark prepare physically for the challenge. David said “The knowledge and experience gained from Mark’s previous epic runs will be crucial to the success of USA 2025. I’m really proud to play a part in his preparation.”.

So there we go! Now that the secret is out, there'll be plenty more info to come in the coming days. That includes:

• How to apply to join the USA 2025 support team
• A detailed look at the route across the USA
• What it will take just to get to the start line
• Thoughts on training and preparation

If you can't wait until then and you're interested in becoming a sponsor or can offer support then please click on the image below to view the sponsorship prospectus.

If you have any question regarding sponsorship or the Promise Fund then please get in touch at sponsorship@rungeordierun.com.

In the meantime, you can watch more coverage on USA 2025 on local news bulletins on BBC One with a main feature on Look North at 1830 (BST).