This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-25612473

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Run Geordie Run Mark Allison completes Australia crossing Run Geordie Run Mark Allison lands back in Newcastle
(1 day later)
A man who temporarily gave up his bid to run 2,400 miles across Australia for charity has completed his challenge. Charity runner Mark Allison has arrived back in the North East after his 2,400-mile trek across Australia.
Mark Allison, known as Run Geordie Run, reached Shellharbour on the country's Pacific coast at 23:50 GMT on Saturday. Mr Allison, known as Run Geordie Run, landed at Newcastle International Airport earlier having raised almost £50,000 for good causes.
"I've done it - I can't go any further, because that's the Pacific Ocean," he said. The 42-year-old had reached Shellharbour on Australia's Pacific coast at 23:50 GMT on Saturday.
The 42-year-old from Blyth, Northumberland, set off from Perth in October and said he was "relieved" and "exhausted". He said: "It's been an incredibly difficult journey and it's great to be back in one piece."
He was just 180 miles from the finish in December when he decided it was too dangerous to continue because his route followed a busy motorway. Speaking in the arrivals hall of the airport, he described the run as a "rollercoaster" and said: "I have been to the brink physically and mentally.
His feet were also in an "awful condition". "I'm just so relieved to have got to the finish line in one piece, which is more than can be said of my luggage. Apparently it's in Dubai!"
'Mental battle' Thoughts of family
Mr Allison, from Blyth, Northumberland, set off from Perth in October.
He was just 180 miles from the finish last month when he decided it was too dangerous to continue because his route followed a busy motorway.
But within 24 hours he had changed his mind and decided to follow a more difficult, but safer, path.But within 24 hours he had changed his mind and decided to follow a more difficult, but safer, path.
So far, he has raised more than his £50,000 target for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and The Children's Foundation. However, even after completing his journey across Australia there were further struggles as the car he was using to get to the airport broke down - making him late to catch his flight to the UK.
He said he had managed running about 40 miles a day by thinking of his family. Both his parents died of cancer. The money he has raised will be donated to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and The Children's Foundation.
"My feet are in bits but this ocean feels fantastic," he said. "It was such a difficult run. Far more difficult than I could ever have imagined. He said he had managed to run about 40 miles a day by thinking of his family. Both his parents died of cancer.
"The physical battle I just about coped with. The mental battle, however, was considerable." In 21 years he has now raised more than £200,000 for good causes.
Mr Allison sometimes had to sleep in a "baking hot" motor home or car, go without showers and contend with weather so hot melted tarmac from the roads made gravel stick in his trainers.
"Would I do it all again? Of course I would," he said. "At the drop of a hat. No doubt about it. I'm not going to however."