The series of looking back at the run across the USA continues today with the letter 'G'. There were a number of candidates such as generosity, grit, Great Plains, gas stations, grinding (miles), giving back and "geet lang rerds". In the end, this particular entry had to be 'G' for Geordie.
No matter how many miles away I am from home, being a Geordie is always at the heart of my running journey. From the streets of Tyneside to the highways of the USA, that identity travels every step with me. It’s in the way I speak to strangers who quickly ask, “Where’s that accent from?” and in the pride I feel when I explain what I’m running for.
Being a Geordie means carrying a bit of Newcastle spirit across deserts, mountains, and endless plains. It means resilience, humour in the face of hardship and a willingness to graft when the going gets tough. Most importantly, it means never forgetting where I came from and why I’m out here: repaying a debt of gratitude and raising funds for St. Benedict’s Hospice.
The run may have taken place thousands of miles away in America, but make no mistake, every mile was powered by the heart of a Geordie.
No matter where I found myself in the USA. Whether it was a dusty back road in Missouri, a wide Kansas plain or a bustling town centre, one word always seems to find its way into conversation: Geordie. It usually starts with a curious look, followed by the familiar question: “Where’s that accent from?” What begins as a quick roadside chat often turns into a full explanation about Newcastle, about the North East, and about what it means to be a Geordie on a journey like this.
Being a Geordie isn’t just about geography. It’s about resilience, humour, and graft. Out there on the road, when my legs ache and the blisters scream louder than the traffic, I think of home. I think of the people who taught me to keep going no matter what, who showed me that hardship can be met with humour, and who made generosity and community second nature.
So while this was an 1,843 mile run across America, make no mistake, it was powered by the heart of a Geordie.
If you're enjoying this A to Z look back on the run across the USA then donations to St. Benedict's Hospice can still be made at www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun2025.
