Carl Mowatt, 57, landlord of the Lakeside Inn, Jarrow, will start his mammoth trek in South Shields and before heading across the North East, taking in the Tyne & Wear Heritage Way, before finishing in Whitburn.
To be able to fund the training and cost of the guide dog puppy, Carl needs to raise £5,000 for the Guide Dogs charity, and is appealing for any sponsorship and encouragement local businesses and residents can provide.
The seasoned runner is taking on his own challenge after the pandemic saw events he had planned to complete for charity were hit by the pandemic.
He said: “I had a few different ultramarathons planned in September and October but they all got cancelled due to coronavirus, so I thought instead of sitting about doing nothing I’d try and make a difference to someone's life.”
The money raised will go to the Guide Dogs Newcastle Mobility Unit, which covers Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Durham, Teesside and Cumbria and has around 250 guide dog owners at any one time.
Guide Dogs breeds puppies, trains them and finds suitable homes for them where they can support people in need.
After raising the money, Carl will get to meet the puppy after its born, keep up to date with the dog’s progress and give it a name.
He has already decided the dog should be named Andy, after his late his friend Andy Briggs, who was blind.
In the past, Carl’s charity efforts have seen him run the length of the Roman Wall, completed challenges in the Swiss Alps, taken on the gruelling Cheviot Goat winter ultramarathon in Northumberland.
He has helped a number of charities, including other fundraisers for Guide Dogs, and raising money for Cancer Connections.
To sponsor Carl in his latest running challenge, visit his Just Giving page here at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mowza100miles
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1. Ready to Mow
Lakeside Inn landlord Carl Mowatt is preparing for his marathon charity run. Photo: JPIMedia