Cleator Moor 'marathon man' Gary McKee to finish 365th marathon today

53-year-old Gary, from the town of Cleator Moor in west Cumbria, has run a marathon every single day in 2022 in aid of his two chosen charities - Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice At Home West Cumbria - and has raised over £430,000 so far.

With one marathon to go, Gary said: “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved over the last year.

"I’ve seen people believe in themselves and run full marathon distances with me, something they thought they’d never do - and that’s simply fantastic.

“Watching the JustGiving page go up each and every day has been incredible and seeing the amount of people supporting me has been incredible.

"I’m thankful to everyone for all their support.”

Gary has gone through 22 pairs of trainers and, by the end of the year, will have run 9,563 miles in rain, snow and sunshine.

He often ran his 26.2 mile route in the morning before starting a shift as group leader at Sellafield.

Whatever the weather Gary has ran a marathon every single day this year (Image: Supplied)

Gary, who earlier this year won a Newsquest Pride of Cumbria special award for his efforts in this and in previous challenges, has throughout this year run on the London Community Track at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and around MediaCity in Salford, as well as many runs in his hometown.

READ MORE: Gary Lineker salutes 'amazing' Cumbrian marathon man Gary McKee

Gary was also chosen to appear at the Rugby League World Cup Final in November, carrying the trophy out onto the pitch at Old Trafford in Manchester.

The father of three, who has supported Macmillan for over 18 years, 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.

Gary has said he is looking forward to a full english breakfast and bottle of beer when he finishes his challenge (Image: Supplied)

“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.

“I am looking forward to a beer on New Year’s Eve and I’m looking forward to a cooked breakfast.”

Director of funding and communications for Hospice At Home West Cumbria, Hayley McKay, said: "It's difficult to put into words how grateful we are to Gary for taking on this unbelievable challenge.

"The physical and mental strength he has shown is incomprehensible."

Macmillan Cancer Support executive director of fundraising, Claire Rowney, added: "Gary's achievement and selflessness is off the scale.

"Every single day this year, this extraordinary man has put his body through a marathon to raise money for Macmillan and our friends at Hospice At Home West Cumbria.

"I can only imagine the self-discipline and determination required to achieve this and there aren't enough words to express our heartfelt gratitude for everything that he has done to help Macmillan support people living with cancer at a time when they need us more than ever."

Throughout his time running, Gary has at points been joined by a few famous faces such as super league stars Kyle Amor and Kevin Sinfield - as well as garnering support from celebrities such as Cumbrian TV personality Helen Skelton.

Chris Young, 29, who ran 90 marathons with Gary, said: "Gary ignited a fire in my belly this year when I began running frequently with him and has given me both physical and mental resilience that I don't know if I would have ever discovered in myself in a million years.

"I know I don't just speak for myself on that front as he has inspired not just me or the few, but the entire local community and beyond."

To sponsor Gary, visit his JustGiving page.

READ MORE: Leeds Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield joins marathon man Gary McKee