Local Freemason completes 200-mile Charity Challenge !

Brother Guy Smith, Worshipful Master of Oriental Lodge No. 9371, which meets at Byker Masonic Hall, has completed an extraordinary 207-mile charity run across Northumberland in memory of his late mother, while raising more than £11,000 for Alzheimer’s charity support.

Guy’s “Temple Run Challenge” saw him visit every Masonic Temple in Northumberland, travelling day and night through towns, villages, coastal routes, and rural countryside before reaching the finish line in Haltwhistle.

The challenge was deeply personal for Guy, who lost his mother to Alzheimer’s earlier this year.

He said:
"Mum touched so many lives, and losing her so quickly to Alzheimer’s was devastating. Anyone who has witnessed the disease knows how cruel it can be. I wanted to do something meaningful in her memory while helping others affected by it."

Guy originally estimated the route at around 197 miles, but with navigation changes, fatigue, and unavoidable detours, the total distance rose to an incredible 207 miles.

He set off from Berwick Masonic Hall on the evening of Monday 2nd September, immediately after attending a Lodge meeting, and continued almost non-stop until reaching the finish in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Just four hours later, demonstrating remarkable determination, he then took part in his 25th Great North Run.

Over the five-day challenge, Guy managed only around eight hours of sleep in total, grabbing short power naps in the front seat of a car between stages. Throughout the run, he was supported by his wife, who accompanied him for the entire journey, ensuring he had food, supplies, fresh clothing, and constant encouragement.

Guy described her as the “unsung hero” of the event.

He said:
"She had the hardest job of all. Very little sleep, endless driving, worrying about me, keeping me fuelled, and always being there without complaint. None of this would have been possible without her."

The challenge also brought tremendous support from Freemasons across the Province of Northumberland and beyond, with members turning out at various Masonic halls to cheer him on, offer refreshments, provide route guidance, and keep morale high.

One of the most emotional moments came at Cramlington Masonic Hall, where Guy was greeted by family members, close friends, his sons and their partners, and his two-year-old granddaughter.

He said:
"I really didn’t want to leave."

Despite suffering exhaustion, sleep deprivation, navigational problems, and a punishing final section through dense forest, swamps, nettles, brambles, and ditches, Guy refused to give in.

He said:
"It was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done, but I always knew why I was doing it."

An experienced endurance runner, Guy’s fundraising journey began more than 20 years ago when he first completed the Great North Run in memory of a friend, raising money for the Children’s Heart Unit Fund. Since then, he has completed numerous marathons and ultramarathons, including the demanding 100-mile Castle to Castle race from Bamburgh to Edinburgh.

Reflecting on the latest challenge, Guy said:

"Running has given me purpose, better health, and a way to give back. This was about honouring Mum, raising awareness, and hopefully inspiring others to challenge themselves for a cause they care about."

Guy’s sponsorship total currently stands at more than £11,000 and continues to rise, making the event not only a personal triumph, but a tremendous charitable success for the whole Province.

He added:

"This became bigger than I ever imagined. Together we have made a real difference."