Runner hopes to raise funds, hope for drug treatment

Published 9:03 am Friday, August 17, 2012

Running a marathon seems daunting enough. Running five marathons in a row would be almost impossible for the majority of folks.

But on Saturday, Aug. 31, Greg Ellis will try to run for 24 straight hours on a treadmill at The Rush Fitness Center at the Walnut Square Mall, and he hopes to complete 131 miles, the equivalent of five marathons. That’s the equivalent of five marathons. Organizers hope that Ellis won’t be alone since his run is a fundraiser for Dalton’s Carter Hope Center.

Those who wish to take part in the “24 Hours of Hope” are asked to run, cycle or exercise along with Ellis for at least 30 minutes for a contribution of $1 a minute.

“If there is anyone who wants to participate and doesn’t have the money, we have companies in town who will support them if they show up,” Carter Hope Center Director Chuck Smith said.

The Carter Hope Center is a residential drug and alcohol recovery program, and Ellis is a former client of the facility.

Smith said he hopes the “24 Hours of Hope” raises awareness of the program as well as money.

“We are extremely reasonably priced at $150 a week. That includes the patient’s treatment, their rent, groceries, everything down to their laundry detergent,” he said.

The “24 Hours of Hope” begins at 5 p.m.

In July 2011, Ellis ran for 24 straight hours on a treadmill at Bradley Wellness Center to raise money for The Carter Hope Center.

Ellis is a Dalton native and a 1989 graduate of Dalton High School. He played football at Georgia Tech but left because of poor grades. His life later spiraled into drug and alcohol abuse. He has been clean for about three and a half years, he said.