Man Runs 100 Miles To Honor Dad, Raise Money For Orphanage

HOMER GLEN, IL — After his father, Mark Grennell, died unexpectedly in January, Matt Grennell knew he wanted to do something to honor his dad.

In an effort to honor his dad and also raise money for a cause his dad was passionate about, Matt decided he would create "Papa's Big Run" and run 100 miles on Sept. 28, his dad's birthday.

Before he died, Mark had created Let Them Come Ministries. According to a GoFundMe created by the family, Mark had visited Mexico in 2015 and went to Melody Orphanage. When he returned home, Mark led a campaign which raised over $50,000 for the orphanage.

Matt, who lives in Homer Glen but grew up in Tinley Park, said he started running during lockdown and it soon snowballed into longer distance runs.

"The run was something I was going to do, tell a few people who were to help crew me and then just do the run. After speaking with a few close individuals it was decided to raise money for the mission," Matt told Patch.

Originally, Matt was going to run 61 miles, as that was the age his dad would be this year, but the length of 100 miles was "too perfect."

The run began at South Suburban Chiropractic Clinic, where Mark worked for over 25 years, and it ended at Lake Thunderbird in Putnam County, where the Grennell family had a lake house.

"Papa's Big Run" has raised $27,479, according to the GoFundMe for the event.

Matt said he completed the run in about 21 hours and 35 minutes.

On the GoFundMe page, Matt called the run "ridiculously fun" and he told Patch he is already looking at next year.

The proceeds of the GoFundMe will go to Melody orphanage. The fundraiser goal of $36,000 would support the orphanage for an entire year, the GoFundMe states.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.