Speir now biking for charity
Mark Speir, Appalachian State’s defensive line coach and resident marathon conqueror, is riding more than running these days.
Riding, as in motorcycle.
“I got the itch,” Speir said. “I had never ridden a motorcycle in my life but some of my buddies had been talking about how much they enjoyed their motorcycle trips on Blue Ridge Parkway. So I went and did it.”
Speir borrowed a Kawasaki 550, got his license in May and took off.
“I don’t go fast, but I love it,” he said.
Two years ago, Speir, now 42, had never run so much as a 5K race.
But he jumped into it for a cause, gathering pledges and running marathons to raise money through Samaritan’s Purse to help equip Memorial Children’s Hospital in Bangladesh.
He has participated in four marathons to date, raising $65,000. His latest effort was in May, running the 26.2-mile Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati with Jason Blalock, an ASU assistant, and a several other Boone residents.
Speir will continue the fund-raising effort later this month, but will change gears in the method.
He is putting together a motorcycle charity ride and poker run from Boone to Asheville scheduled for July 31.
“If you want a scenic ride, come and do it,” Speir said.
The entry fee is $30, which includes a Chik-Fil-A lunch and plenty of Blue Ridge Parkway scenery. For more information, contact Speir at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)