Runners in London will have a unique opportunity to jog alongside the legendary ‘Marathon Man’ Gary McKee, who will be coming to the capital, as a one off, to complete his 324th marathon.
Gary, 53, committed to running a marathon every single day this year for his Three Six Five Challenge in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home in West Cumbria.
On Sunday 20 November, from 1:00pm onwards Gary will run a marathon at an easy pace in the form of 105 laps of the London Community Track at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford and he’s asking Londoners to come and join him for as much or as little of the duration as they like.
The London event came about after Shree Laturia, 43, from Poplar, turned to running to help him come to terms with the tragic loss of his wife and child in a car accident. Shree and his friends from East End Road Runners group took note of Gary’s running on the Strava Leaderboard. They found Gary’s ThreeSixFive charity giving page and got in touch. Since then, the runners have had the privilege to run a few marathons with Gary by travelling up to Cumbria to join him. Next they invited Gary to run a marathon in London and he kindly agreed.
Shree said:
“Anybody who runs a marathon knows the toll it takes and running 26 miles each morning is perhaps beyond human capability for most. This is once-a-lifetime chance to be part of this gigantic effort in London – nobody wants to miss this opportunity! Both of the charities Gary is supporting, Macmillan and Hospice at Home, deserve our support. Come and join in and be part of history, your donations will give spring to Gary’s steps!”
Runners of all abilities are welcome, this is a celebration of Gary’s running, not a race! There will also be a chance to speak with Gary and meet the team who have supported him throughout this year.
Gary is no stranger to tough challenges and over the years, his fundraising feats have included jumping from aeroplanes, climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Brazil. In 2017, Gary was the recipient of Fundraiser of the Year for the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain awards, after running 100 marathons in 100 days to raise £100k for Macmillan and only last year, he completed 110 marathons in 110 days, raising an incredible £200k.
Gary admits this will be his toughest physical challenge yet (when completed, he will have run more than 9,500 miles) not to mention his most ambitious fundraising challenge – he is hoping to raise £1m!
Gary, who has supported Macmillan for over 19 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.
“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.”
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. He turned to running as a positive way of keeping his father’s memory alive while helping millions of people suffering from cancer. He has been hugely inspirational to those who follow him.
Lucy Hill, Macmillan Cancer Support’s Fundraising Manager for London, said:
“We’d like to thank Gary for his amazing commitment to raise funds for two causes close to his heart. His efforts last year were extraordinary enough, but the scale and ambition of this 365 Challenge are almost incomprehensible. We know Gary is inspired by the three million people who are living with cancer in the UK. He says that if they can undergo the rigours of treatment and the many challenges that cancer brings, then he can put himself through this. Nearly all (98%) of Macmillan’s funding comes directly from donations. It’s only through our fantastic fundraisers like Gary that Macmillan can continue to deliver the services that people living with cancer desperately need, now and in the future.”
Stella Walsh, Hospice at Home West Cumbria’s Marketing and Income Generation Team Leader, said:
“We are honoured that Gary is supporting Hospice at Home West Cumbria by undertaking this incredible challenge, as a small local charity the difference Gary is making is immeasurable. The support from people both locally and nationally for Gary’s endeavour has been beyond amazing.
“We are completely in awe of Gary’s phenomenal achievement and so grateful for his support. Since the beginning of the challenge, our specialist home nursing team have cared for 181 patients, allowing them to be in a place they chose at the end of their life, whilst our Family and Bereavement team have supported 162 patients and their families, delivering emotional wellbeing and bereavement support when they need it most.
“We are looking forward to supporting Gary and his team through the last couple of months of this epic challenge and appeal to everyone to follow his journey and support where they can.”
Gary is appealing for everyone to once again get behind him and help him reach his phenomenal target.
To register to run alongside him on the 20th November, visit: Gary’s 365: Run-a-Long Celebration Tickets, Sun 20 Nov 2022 at 13:00 | Eventbrite and check out Sir Mo Farah’s video wishing Gary “good luck”.
Or to sponsor Gary, visit https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/garys-365
To share Gary’s journey, follow him on the ‘365 Marathon Man’ Facebook page. The page will give daily updates and information about how you can sponsor one of his running vests.
