The eighth and final member of the USA 2025 support team to introduce is Thomas. He will be joining the tour with the returning Deb on day 59 (28th June) in Walsenburg Colorado at the 1850 mile point. It's quite literally all uphill after that.
Thomas experience of running in the hills of Northumberland means he will be well placed to accompany me on some sections of the Rocky Mountains. We've already had a couple of successful trial attempts closer to home in recent months. Most notably was the climb from Elsdon in Northumberland up to Winter's Gibbet. We struck up a great partnership on the very long straight thereafter, taking it in turns to run from the front. This really does bode well for the running we'll be doing this summer.
Thomas's attire in his team photo reminded me of Harvey Keitel's character in the movie Pulp Fiction. "The Wolf" as he was called was called in to help out with a difficult situation. There are parallels to be drawn with Thomas's time on the team I'm sure.
Thomas says "When asked to write down in short why I had signed up as part of the support team for the USA 2025 run, I thought about it for 5 seconds and came to the following conclusion:
I Like Mark and Donna very much, I love Campervans, and I love running! It is pretty much that simple of a reason for me to agree to help Mark on his quest to conquer the mighty USA once more!
When Mark and I spoke and a place was available on the tour in the Rocky Mountains, I felt that this was a part that was written for me! I run in rural Northumberland over endless hills, so felt in good shape to not only do campervan duties on the tour, but provide Mark with daily running company.
In general, my attitude in life is that you should try to do good for others, help others, and achieve something small or large that might inspire another person to do good. With that in mind I can't wait to fly out and have a great time supporting Mark, taking in the vistas, and finally put my head down in a campervan!".
Thomas's time on the team presented some logistical challenges. His end point of Kayenta on day 72 is in the middle of nowhere with no links to any public transport. To get around that, Thomas will be picking a car up in Durango on day 66. That's what he'll be using to get back to Durango Airport when he eventually leaves the tour.
Thanks to Thomas for committing some much time and effort into this tour. What with Deb also picking up her running recently, I'm going to be well covered for some good company in the Rocky Mountains.
