A dad has completed his 365th marathon in 365 days - raising a staggering £843k for cancer charities. Gary McKee, 53, started his marathon challenge in January 2022 and ran the same 26.2-mile route every day snow, rain or shine from Cleator Moor, Cumbria, to Whitehaven.
He was spurred on by a community of cheerleaders who joined him at different points of the track. And despite running a total of 9566.65 miles in one year, Gary kept up his day job at a nuclear power station - going straight from his runs to work eight-hour shifts.
Gary, who will donate the money to Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home West Cumbria said: "It's just running, you just get on with it and do it. I've never ever thought about quitting- it's the commitment I've made to other people and the thought I'm helping other people.
"I've ran in the hottest weather when it was 32 degrees in summer and when it was minus 12 last week. I've never had a bad day. You can't compare your day with someone who is undergoing cancer treatment."
Gary is no stranger to fundraising in extraordinary ways and previously cycled across Brazil, ran 100 marathons in 100 days and climbed Kilimanjaro. He was inspired by his late father, Victor, who survived lung cancer but died in 2003 at the age of 66 to an unrelated illness.
Gary woke up each morning at 5am and leave his house at 7.30am to start his shift at 2pm. He added: "It's the last piece of the 365 jigsaw puzzle- it is emotional. Thousands of people have joined me every day. I ran with children from a special educational needs school and that was a stand-out day. Two of them held my hands and smiled as we ran - it was quite emotional."
Gary's wife Susan, 47, and three children Alfie, 17, Beau, 15, and Minnie, 10, have been his biggest supporters. Beau joined his dad on his bike cycling over 5000 miles and youngest Millie has ran with her dad too.
Gary added: "Beau didn't go on the family holiday to Turkey this year because he said no one would be at home to make me a cup of tea." The dad-of-three had to ensure he had enough energy to run off thousands of calories a a day so local business Hungry Caterpillar provided all of his meals.
"Someone came round twice a week to deliver all my prepared food. It was all high-carb and high-protein meals- I ate lots of vegetables and rice."
Now, Gary will go back to the drawing board and decided what his next challenge will be to raise money in 2023. He added: "Cancer affects everyone and doesn't discriminate. I remember how hard it was when my dad went through it and that's why I want to help others." You can still donate to for Gary's unbelievable effort here to bring him closer to his £1 million target.
