FLIPPIN’ TREK
War hero will run 200 miles in 4 days in open-toed sandals
I promised Tommy I would run my next race for all the Tommies out there MARK ELLISON
AN ULTRAFIT war hero will help old comrades by running 200 miles in four days – while wearing flip flops.
Vegan Mark Ellison will carry out the incredible feat while only eating plants. The former King’s Own Scottish Borderer soldier – who trains in special running sandals – aims to raise cash for traumatised soldiers and first responders.
He was inspired to help after an ex-soldier pal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder gave him his last £50 to support him for an ultra-run in Iceland.
Mark, 43, said: “In a few months, I will start my 200-mile run to Hornsea in Yorkshire over the Trans Pennine Way. It definitely is not a holiday.
“I have 100 hours to get from point to point. I will be tired, I will be sleep-deprived, my body will ache and at some point I will want to quit – it sounds like great fun.
“I run in Luna open-toed sandals. I base my philosophy on a Mexican tribe who live in the canyons.
“The Tarahumara tribe’s plantbased diet, minimal footwear and natural running form can transform runners’ health and fitness.”
Mark – who served in the Army between 1993 and 1999 – completed several tours of Northern Ireland.
He has already completed several
gruelling ultra-marathons. He has run in races across Europe and covered the 97-mile West Highland Way in less than a day-and-a-half.
When Mark left the forces, he went into the fitness sector and he is now a care worker. The dad of one added: “When I was setting out this year to run 155 miles across Iceland carrying 10 kg of kit, I connected on Facebook with a pal called Tommy, who I served with.
“He told me that he was unemployed, his marriage had broken down and he was suffering from PTSD.
“Tommy donated his last £50 to the charity I was running for, even though I said his moral support was more than enough. I promised Tommy I would run my next race for all the Tommies out there.” Mark, from Kirkcaldy, is running to raise cash for Who Dares Cares – a charity who support people from all walks of life with PTSD.
Scots ex-soldiers Calum MacLeod and Colin MacLachlan launched the organisation earlier this year.
Calum was a nominee for the Record’s Our Heroes Award and Colin starred in the Channel 4 series Who Dares Wins.
For more, go to www.totalgiving. co.uk/mypage/mountaingoat864