CUMBRIAN marathon man Gary McKee has reached the £100,000 milestone as part of his year-long charity challenge... and shares the numbers that have got him to day 167.
Gary, from Cleator Moor, started his epic challenge of running a marathon every single day on January 1, 2022, and is aiming to raise £1million pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
When the challenge is successful, Gary will have run more than 9,500 miles.
Gary said: “The reason I’m doing this is that I’m lucky enough to be able to take on a physical challenge of this scale, and every day I think about all the people going through cancer treatment who face their own physical and emotional challenges.
“If I can support people going through cancer and other life-limiting illnesses while inspiring people to get out there and fundraise themselves, then every marathon I do every day is worth the effort.
“The support so far on the challenge has been fantastic, from our cake bakers, fellow runners, and fundraising team everyone is coming together for the cause.
"Halfway is in sight and everything is going well.”
The 53-year-old, who has supported Macmillan for over 18 years, completed a gruelling 110 consecutive marathons for his two chosen charities, raising an incredible £200,000 last year.
Last year support came in from across the world, with notable stars including Sir Mo Farah, Eamon Holmes and the St Helens rugby league team all getting behind Gary’s efforts and inspiring work, Gary is hoping he can get some familiar faces up to Cumbria to join in with him.
READ MORE: Marathon man Gary McKee has now less than 200 marathons to complete
Gary was inspired to start fundraising for Macmillan after his father was diagnosed with cancer in 1997. His father died from an unrelated illness in 2003.
Back in 2017, Gary was the recipient of ITV Border's Fundraiser of the Year for the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain awards, after running 100 marathons in 100 days to raise £100,000 for Macmillan.
Stella Walsh Fundraising and Communications Team Leader from Hospice at Home West Cumbria said: “The grit and determination from Gary throughout this challenge is extraordinary.
"There are no words to convey how grateful we are for his commitment to supporting our charity."
Sue McDonald, Macmillan Cancer Support Fundraising Manager said: “Gary truly is beyond incredible. It’s not just the physical feat of running a marathon ever single day that makes him extraordinary – it’s the people and support that he inspires through this selfless challenge."
You can support Gary’s challenge by visiting https://justgiving.com/fundraising/threesixfive
He has provided an updated fact file, with the stats that the challenge has amassed.
SO FAR THIS YEAR:
-4,400 miles ran so far
-20 pairs of running shoes
-Over 780k calories burnt
-330+ massage gun sessions
-10 full-body massages
-350 charity tops sold
-Over £100,000 raised by 1,100 supporters
-Over 100 'Facebook Lives'
-Over 150 support runners and cyclists from all around the UK
-10,000+ social media supporters
-Over 500 brews at ‘Bills Brews’
READ MORE: Marathon Man Gary McKee smashes own record as he runs 111 marathons
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here