USA 2025 - Meet the support team (Deb)

The third member of the USA 2025 support team that I'd like to introduce is Deb. Amazingly, she is actually doing two separate stints on the tour. The first of which is from the start line at Coney Island on day one with Carlton. 

The route in those early days will see her support through New York and New Jersey before hitting the Appalachians in Pennsylvania around the 250 mile mark. The next 474 miles pass through Columbus, Ohio then on to Indianapolis, Indiana where Deb sill finish the first part of her duties. That's 23 days in total. In the middle of that section, Deb will say goodbye to Carlton who will be replaced by John. 

Deb rejoins the team on day 59 with Thomas in Walsenburg, Colorado. They will be taking over from Alan. I will have ran over 1100 miles since she last left the team with approximately 1850 miles in the bag. 

I'm calling Walsenburg (at an elevation of 6300ft) the foot of the Rocky Mountains. It will take 10 days to get up and over them with two major summits to run up. It'll be a tough place to drive a motorhome never mind support me as a runner.

Once out of the Rocky Mountains Deb will say goodbye to Thomas. She will only be solo on the team for a couple of days before Steve joins the team in Page, Arizona. By this point, we are into desert mid July where temperatures are expected to be uncomfortably high. At the time of writing (9th April 2025) that region of the USA is already seeing highs in the mid 30s Celsius. 

Steve leaves the team in Mesquite. Deb will then spend only 1 day on her own. But that day is a tricky off road desert section for me. It's not accessible by the motorhome. This part is going to require safe planning and good comms between the two of us to ensure our safety. If all goes well we'll meet at the other end of the desert in the Valley of Fire State Park. 

Graeme and Phil will join Deb for her final two days on the team. That will take us to the hilly eastern outskirts of Las Vegas on day 84 (miles 2680).

Deb says "I got to know Mark at David Fairlamb Fitness where we have trained together for a number of years. I have followed Marks impressive fundraising achievements around the world, and I am delighted to be able to support his latest challenge across America. 

Having retired at the end of 2023 and knowing that Mark was planning USA 2025, I decided to join the team after many discussions with Mark and close examination of a very large map of America! 

Mark said he was looking for people who were fit , healthy, held a driving license, had a positive attitude and good problem solving skills. I have a driving license so I decided to apply. 

I am excited to be part of the Run Geordie Run support team, I will be visiting parts of the USA that I have never been to and while it will be tough and personally challenging, being on the team will be nothing in comparison to what Mark has to do every day. 

In a moment of madness or weakness at the end of a double training session at David Fairlamb’s gym, I also signed up for two stints on the team so I will be spending a fair bit of May and July on the team, enjoying some of the most scenic parts of Marks route. 

Marks commitment and drive is phenomenal and he has inspired me to start running again too which I am loving even if my knees aren’t ! 

It’s a privilege to be contributing in a small way to the huge team effort which will support Mark across America, and hopefully raise thousands for charity along the way."

Just like the rest of the support team, Deb is making a game changing difference to the run across the USA.

I don't agree when Deb says she is "contributing in a small way". Her total support amounts to an incredible 49 days. I know from experience that it's not going to be easy. I think former support team members would agree. It's a huge sacrifice to make. See you at the start line Deb.

USA 2025 - Meet the support team (Alan)

This is second in a series of articles which will introduce the kind bunch of volunteers who make up the Run Geordie Run USA 2025 Support Team. Next up is Alan who will be joining the team on day 33 in St. Louis, Missouri. That's the day John leaves the team. 

Alan is on his own on the team for 26 days. That's the longest individual stint that any of the team are doing. The 845 mile route that he is supporting is one of the most complex to navigate. There are many twists, turns and trails on the route through Missouri, Kansas and Colorado. When I say "trails" that means that I'll be on sections of the route inaccessible by the motorhome. Good communication and a robust plan is important as ever during times like that. 

One Alan's first day, there is a steady climb from 400ft in St. Louis to 6,500ft through to his last in Walsenburg, Colorado. There's a whopping 14,000ft of ascent during that time. Add to that, the ever increasing temperatures we'll be facing where 30+ Celsius is expected every day by that point. It promises to be quite a challenging adventure through the American Midwest for Alan.

Alan says "Having retired a few years ago, I have enjoyed doing a range of activities I didn't have time for when working, travelling, golf, tennis, etc. 

My route to supporting Mark and joining his support team began over a year ago. My wife sits close to Mark and Donna at St James Park on match days. After chats about Mark's mission and meticulous planning, I discovered, unknown to me, that she had suggested that I could be a fair candidate for support driving on the run! 

Mark and I spoke, and he explained the tasks and expectations. It is an amazing challenge to undertake, and I'm looking forward to supporting Mark to reach his goal. 

So here we are almost ready for the Run Across America. 

Just saying, I'm not a runner and definitely not an omelette maker ....yet!"

As is the case with the rest of the team, a huge amount of gratitude goes to Alan for the amazing sacrifice and contribution he is making. Without which, this run would simply not be possible. 

I'll meet you in St. Louis Alan.

USA 2025 - Meet the support team (John)

Welcome to the first in a series of articles which will introduce the kind bunch of volunteers who make up the Run Geordie Run USA 2025 Support Team.

First up is John who will be joining the team on day 14 in Wheeling, West Virginia. That's the day Carlton leaves the team. John starts his official duties the following day with Deb who is on the team from day 1. They'll have 9 days together before Deb leaves the team. 

John then has 9 days on his own through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois before finishing his tour of duty in St. Louis, Missouri. 

I asked John how he became involved in the team - "I first came across Mark at his beloved St James Park and through NUFC.COM around the time he ran the length of the UK, I was an avid runner and was amazed by how he could cover such distances day after day. Not long after that I bumped into him on the start line of a local 10 mile race, since then I have followed his many exploits. 

I retired from my job in December 23 and over Christmas the subject of what I was going to do with myself was fairly topical, my wife reminded me that I said during Marks run across Australia that if he ever did another one I would like to be involved. So by chance I went on the Run Geordie Run website and low and behold plans being made for this USA trip, one email and subsequent telephone call later I find myself on the team and learning to make omelettes ! 

Sincerely it will be a privilege to be involved my only hope is that I can reach the porridge and omelette standard required to keep the fire burning."

In total, John will be supporting me for 18 days and 560 miles. That's a huge undertaking which I'm extremely grateful for.