A fundraiser has finished its project of working a marathon on a daily basis of 2022, and surpassed its goal of elevating £1m for charity.
Gary McKee, 53, from Cleator Moor in Cumbria, raised his hands in victory and was once cheered by means of a crowd of supporters as he finished his 365th marathon of the 12 months on New Year’s Eve.
He has raised greater than £1m for the charities Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
The father of 3 has long past thru 22 pairs of running shoes and has run 9,563 miles in rain, snow and sunshine to boost cash for the charities.
He ceaselessly ran his 26.2-mile direction within the morning earlier than beginning a shift as team chief on the Sellafield nuclear web site.
As he crossed the end line, he thanked the group for the “fantastic” reception.
He informed the BBC: “The streets were lined. It was raining, but everybody was out clapping and shouting. It was fantastic seeing everybody there. It’s something I’ll always remember.”
McKee has a historical past of peculiar bodily feats having climbed Kilimanjaro, trekked thru New Zealand, run from Land’s End to John o’Groats, finished the Three Peaks Challenge in not up to 24 hours, jumped out of planes and walked throughout scorching coals.
He has in the past run 100 marathons in 100 days and 110 marathons in 110 days. When McKee took section in his first London marathon, he ran to the capital from his house in Cleator Moor.
At the beginning line of his 365th marathon in Cleator Moor on Saturday morning, he informed BBC One’s Breakfast programme: “The support has been phenomenal and it always is and the West Cumbrians get behind us, but cancer affects everybody so it isn’t just a West Cumbrian thing, it’s a national thing.
“I just hope that people do get behind us and we do raise that million pounds. If we don’t, it won’t be because I haven’t run 365 marathons. We’ll celebrate the day, have a good laugh on the route and I’m looking forward to finishing.”
McKee has been raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support for two decades, a mission he traces back to his father Victor’s cancer diagnosis in 1997. His father died in 2005 from an unrelated illness.
Macmillan Cancer Support tweeted: “Gary McKee has crossed the finish line! A brilliant way to end the year!
“Congratulations for completing 365 marathons in 2022, that’s a total of 9,563 miles and raising more than £1,000,000 – a phenomenal feat of grit and sheer determination.”
The director of investment and communications for Hospice At Home West Cumbria, Hayley McKay, stated: “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.
“Gary has not only raised money for two fantastic charities, he has sprinkled magic on the local community and brought people together supporting him with the challenge.”
The runner has also inspired others to join him.
Chris Young, 29 – who ran 90 marathons with Mr McKee – 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.
“This challenge has raised a phenomenal amount of money for two fantastic charities, but the impact Gary has provided to the community and people around him is immeasurable.
“There’s going to be a lot of people’s lives a lot better off thanks to Gary’s efforts, myself included.”
England rugby coach Kevin Sinfield joined McKee for a run and described his challenge as “mind-blowing”.
He stated: “He’s a brilliant man and it was an honor to be with him in Cumbria to support what he’s doing.
“He supported me in my last challenge and it was really nice to get together and run and chat and laugh with him.”
To donate, move to McKee’s JustGiving web page.
