The fourth member of the USA 2025 support team that I'd like to introduce is Carlton. This won't be the first time he has been on the support team. Regular readers may remember that Carlton supported the first run across the USA in 2011. He followed that up with Australia in 2013, Europe in 2016 and provided some logistical support at the start of the run from Belgrade to Kiev in 2018.
Carlton will be travelling to the USA with me on the 27th April. Having that good company before the run starts is very comforting. His official duties will be with Deb from day one at Coney Island on May 1st. The route in those early days will see him support me through New York and New Jersey before hitting the Appalachians in Pennsylvania around the 250 mile mark. He'll be on the team for a further 200 miles as I run up and over that hilly range before his duties end on day 14 in Wheeling West Virginia. That's the point that John will replace Carlton.
I'm sure that this route will feel surreal for Carlton. It's the reverse of what he supported back in 2011.
Carlton says "Hi, I'm Carlton, and back again to support Mark on the latest leg of his incredible journey.
If you don't already know, I was on Mark's support team when he first cracked the USA, helping him over the line for the past 2 weeks.
This trip is a fitting book-end for me, as I am on the first 2 weeks of this run - so the same route but in reverse.
In between that 2011 run, I've been on the support team for Australia and a couple of stints in Europe. And of course, I've ran many hundreds of miles back home with Mark, mainly on long Sunday jaunts.
So why am I back again? I've told Mark on many an occasion he can't shake me off that easily. True it's hard work, stressful and a huge responsibility. And I have to admit, being 14 years older than when I started this support, I am not looking forward to the 5:30 early mornings. But I have to say it's a challenge and an adventure; I get to see places I'd never otherwise visit, and it is great to spend some time with, and help a good friend.
But above all, it is me doing a tiny little bit for a great cause.
Mark could run for a big name charity and probably get way more publicity and support. But the smaller charities like St Benedict's Hospice really do depend on brilliant people like Mark, and what he does for them is truly inspiring.
Supporting Run Geordie Run really is a privilege."
Thanks once again to Carlton for being the Spot* to my Hong Kong Phooey or the Passepartout to my Phileas Fogg. His contribution to the cause really is beyond measure.
* Hong Kong Phooey's faithful sidekick, Spot is in reality the brains of the outfit. Bored to distraction, his quick thinking and resourcefulness ultimately saves the day every time!
