Marathon man finishes 365th run of the year to raise money for charity

A fundraiser has run a marathon every day of 2022.

Gary McKee, 53, completed his 365th marathon of the year in Cleator Moor, Cumbria, on New Year’s Eve.

The father-of-three has run 9,563 miles through rain, snow and sunshine to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice At Home West Cumbria.

Campaigners said he had raised £1m for the two charities.

He has gone through 22 pairs of trainers – which he has been auctioning off for charity.

Mr McKee often ran his 26.2-mile route in the morning before he began a shift as group leader at nuclear site Sellafield.

The 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.

“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.”

Runner’s achievement ‘off the scale’

Macmillan Cancer Support executive director of fundraising, Claire Rowney, said: “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.”