The $10 million run (From Western Telegraph)

The $10 million run

A SIBERIAN Husky will be joining her master for an incredible 20,000-mile run around America in tribute to those killed in the September 11th attacks.

Hope, the two-year-old pet of ex-army commando Mark Llewhellin will be taking on the mammoth task in order to raise $10 million for charity.

The run, which starts on September 11th this year in New York, will take a route which follows the pattern of the US flag - taking in 48 states and six Canadian provinces.

The only states we wont do are Hawaii and Alaska because they are both in the extremes, said 28-year-old Mark, who served with Seven Commando Battery in the Royal Artillery.

The pair will run the equivalent of five marathons every week in order to complete the task, dubbed the Run of Hope, over an incredible two and a half years.

Hope is one of the fittest animals I have ever seen and I know that she will relish this challenge as much as I do, said Mark from Haverfordwest.

Huskies run the Iditarod sled race in Alaska every year - covering over 1,000 miles in l0 days pulling a sled.

Hope is one of the best training companions I have ever had - she outruns me every time and is always hungry for more.

Mark is even having customised shoes made for Hope to protect her paws.

I will probably go through 40 pairs of trainers over the course of this run and I want to make sure that Hopes feet stay in top condition.

So I will be looking for sponsorship to get Hope some booties which fit over her feet and give a bit of extra padding for her paws.

Mark has decided to dedicate the run to the victims of the terrorist attacks. I had already planned to do the run before the September 11th attacks, said Mark.

But after seeing the images on the television in the moments after the planes hit the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, I knew I also had to do something for the people affected.

I am going to try and raise $10 million or more and the people who will benefit will include children who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses and children who have lost relatives in the September 11th attacks.

I am in the middle of building up a team of people who will be able to help raise the cash. We will fly to the States before the run to acclimatise ourselves. I have already cleared it that Hope wont have to go into quarantine and the only thing left to sort out now is the visa.

Mark has already broken the 100 km treadmill world record, has completed the notorious Sahara Run, and has also ran 1,600 miles in 60 days, from Colorado to California.

CAPTION

Pictured is ex-Army commando Mark Llewhellin with his Siberian Husky, Hope. Together they are planning to run a total of 20,000 miles across America to raise money for charity. Hope will have special booties made for her to protect her pads during the gruelling task. Picture: Western Telegraph