Mini runner raising money for Haiti

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - It's not every day you find someone who wants to start the race in last place. But that's the case for Mark Wilkerson, founder of Run Mark Run.

For him, at the end of the day, it’s not about finishing first. It's about a journey, with no finish line. Running for him is about leaving a lasting mark.

You've seen it: People holding signs that say: "Will work for food." But not Wilkerson. A post on his Facebook page says: “If I had a sign, it would say ‘will run for money.’”

The money will lift people living in a place where dusty roads are common but food is scarce, a place where one in 10 children die before kindergarten because of malnutrition and other diseases. That place is the northwest region of Haiti.

On May 5, Wilkerson and 11 others will race in the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon to help support a clinic operated by the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission.

“Our goal is to keep (the mission) open year-round and be able to fund the budget as much as we can. And $50,000 makes a huge difference,” Wilkerson said.

On race day, he will start behind everyone, with hopes of passing as many runners as possible.This year, as in years past, supporters pledge a penny for every runner he
can pass. Over the years, they've donated thousands of dollars.

Weeks prior to race day, 24-Hour News 8 met Wilkerson in his office on the fourth floor of OneAmerica Financial to talk about the need in Haiti. Normally, he helps retirees plan their future. But these days, Mark is helping people in Haiti plan for a better future.

“All of the donations that we send over are to help keep people medical people, Haitians, employed,” he said.

With each mile, Wilkerson makes a difference.He first ran six years ago for his health, but now he races for the health of those in Haiti.