A five kilometre run is set to take place in New York’s Riverside Park, on 14th November, to raise funds for The Mark Pollock Trust.

Mark Pollock is a truly inspirational person. Despite losing his sight at the age of 22, he went on to become one of the world's most respected adventure athletes. He completed amazing journeys including running six marathons in seven days across the Gobi Desert and racing hundreds of miles to the South Pole in freezing temperatures. In fact, he was the first blind person to trek to the South Pole. Pollock has also won two medals for Northern Ireland, in rowing, at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

In 2010, Pollock suffered a terrible accident which has left him paralyzed. After 18 months in hospital he is determined to take back control of his life and he is working with researchers in California to create a functional form of robotic legs for people with paralysis.

You can help fuel his rehabilitation and this groundbreaking research by signing up for the 5km run next month and raising funds for The Mark Pollock Trust - thousands took part last year in night races around the world for Mark, and this is the first time that the event comes to New York. 

The race starts at 7.30pm at Riverside Park, at 108th Street. To sign up for the race visit the Run in the Dark site. There will also be an after party following the race as Five Lamps Tavern.

Here’s a video about Pollock which was shown at the Irish people of the year awards: