This article was kindly provided by W.Bro Ian Richardson.
A Newcastle based runner has put his best foot forward and is gearing up to complete the 20 marathons he vowed to run last year, between 1st April 2019 and 31st March 2020, to raise much needed funds in aid of the Province of Northumberland’s 2020 Festival for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
Ian Richardson, a past master of St Nicholas Lodge No.1676, which meets in Newcastle Easy Masonic Building, from Gosforth organises marathons and is treasurer of the North East Marathon Club. He started running more than 20 years ago on a treadmill in the gym to help him lose weight and gain basic fitness. Since tackling his first marathon in Nottingham in 1997, he has now completed more than 200 distance events and run all over the world.
“I’ve seen the charitable work carried out by the freemasons at first hand and I decided that leading up to and including 2020, I would run 20 marathons to raise money for the 2020 Festival so that many others can benefit too,” said Ian.
To date Ian has completed 15 of his 20 marathons, running as far afield as Palma, Mallorca, with his next one taking place in wind and rain swept Durham on Sunday 16th February.
Brain Denton, Assistant Provincial Grand Master for Northumberland Freemasons said “The 2020 Festival is an appeal with fundraising events and activities taking place that make a significant charitable contribution. We are extremely grateful to everyone who supports us and Ian’s marathon efforts will enable us to help many charities and individuals across the UK.”
As well as attempting this monumental task Ian is visiting lodges throughout the province asking them to guess how long it will take him to run the 20 marathons in total, for the chance of winning a bottle of whiskey.
Show your support for Ian by sponsoring him at:
As an aside the photograph, included with this article, of Ian weaving the blue jacket and stick on ‘tache was his 200th marathon and was raising £1000 for the Movember Foundation.
The Provincial Communication Team wishes Ian all the best with his marathon effort.
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