Appalachian State University football coach Mark Speir knew a little about the loneliness of the long distance runner during his first three marathons.

Speir, the defensive ends coach and recruiting coordinator for the Mountaineers, ran the Country Music Marathon in Nashville in 2008, the San Diego Rock and Roll marathon a month later, and the Boston Marathon last April.

He ran as part of Team Samaritan’s Purse to raise money for Memorial Christian Hospital in Mulamghat, Bangladesh. He had the support of the ministry and prayers of people from the hospital, but as a charter member of Team SP, he ran by himself.

This time, it will be different.

“This year, I am not doing it alone,” he said.

Team Samaritan's Purse is growing as more people are competing in athletic events to raise funds to help needy people across the world. Speir is one of 30 Team SP runners set to line up Sunday at the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon and Half Marathon.

The runners have collected about $20,000 in pledges for Memorial Christian Hospital, which serves some of the poorest people in the world who have no other access to health care. The money will be used to upgrade medical equipment at the facility.

The team includes Marcy Majors, a nurse who will be running her first marathon.

“The great thing about this run is that I will be raising money for medical supplies,” she said on her fund-raising page. “Being an RN, I know how important it is to have the right supplies when you need them! The decision to participate was an easy one. I am blessed with great health, I love to run and I am giving to those in need.”

This is the second major event for Team Samaritan's Purse this year. On March 21, 43 runners gathered at the ING Georgia Marathon to raise money and awareness for Samaritan's Purse clean water projects around the world.

Click here for more information about Team Samaritan's Purse.

Watch a video about Memorial Christian Hospital below.

Samaritan's Purse , Bangladesh , Team SP , Ways to Help , Teaming Up for Bangladesh

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