Eighteen months after the talented Tarrawanna triathlete was hospitalised with a serious brain injury, hundreds of runners joined the Scotts to show that they too still think about Mark, and hold hope he will lace up his joggers again one day.

About 1000 runners and walkers did a 5-kilometre course in the Move for Mark fun run, with Mark’s parents Bob and Sue Scott signalling the start at Stuart Park in North Wollongong.

‘‘We’re here for Marky and he’s heading in the right direction as far as we’re concerned,’’ Bob Scott told the runners.

‘‘We’re looking forward to getting him home as soon as we can. 

‘‘We hope in the future [the event] becomes the Move With Mark, raising money for other people and other things.’’ 

Bob Scott was cycling with Mark in Primbee  in June last year and saw his son fly into the air after a car collided with his bike. 

Mark has spent his 29th and 30th birthdays in Liverpool Hospital’s Brain Injury Unit, where he remains in a minimally conscious state – a status for patients who show evidence of self or environmental awareness.

Yesterday’s run raised money for Mark and his family, who are working towards bringing him home. Such a move would require a new van and home modifications.

Mr Scott’s good friend Russell Dessaix-Chin was first across the finish line, though no times were recorded and no medals presented. ‘‘We’ve got hope... that’s why everyone’s here,’’ Mr Dessaix-Chin said.