Real Radio supports runner in Australia

Real Radio North East is supporting a local man who is attempting to run across Australia from Perth to Sydney, and linked up with a Perth radio station for the launch.

Breakfast presenter Gary & Lisa linked live to the studios of 720ABC Perth as Mark Allison, also known as Run Geordie Run, set off on his 2,500 mile journey.

They’ll be following Mark’s progress with regular calls into the breakfast show from his satellite phone, as he runs through the Australian outback and broadcasts live from several radio stations in major cities along the epic route. The run starts in Perth, now home to former Real Radio North East presenter and ITV Tyne Tees news presenter Jonathan Morrell, who joined Gary & Lisa alongside Run Geordie Run, from the studios of 720ABC in Perth where he now works.

Listeners heard from Australian residents warning Run Geordie Run of not just the searing heat of Summer, but also snakes, scorpions, Kangaroos and even wombats which he is likely to encounter along the desolate 1,000 stretch of the Eyre Highway between Perth and Adelaide.

Gary & Lisa relayed a good luck message from his ten year old son Jack, reflecting on how tough it was going to be to miss both Jack’s birthday and Christmas with his son.

The run is scheduled to be completed when Run Geordie Run reaches Bondai Beach in Sydney on Christmas Eve at 7.30am live on Real Radio Breakfast with Gary & Lisa.

Real Radio Breakfasts’ Lisa Shaw said, “Run Geordie Run is an inspiration to us all; he is by no means an elite athlete, but just a normal regular everyman with incredible determination to raise much needed cash for two great North East charities, (The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and The Children’s Foundation).

“We supported his first epic run two years ago when he ran across the USA, that was tough, but Australia takes is to another level. 41 miles a day is insane in that heat, but if anyone can do it, he can. We’ll be supporting him every step of the way on Real Radio Breakfast with Gary & Lisa.”