Marathon Man Gary McKee on importance of family support

Gary McKee, Marathon Man 365, started week four at the weekend, with some great support. Picture: Elwyn Evans

Marathon Man Gary McKee has spoken of the importance of family support as he enters his fourth week of completing a marathon every day for a year.

Today Gary will run the 24th of 365 marathons – one a day throughout 2022 – to raise more money for Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

He’s set his sights on raising £1 million for the two charities in a challenge that will see him rack up over 9,500 miles.

He had raised more than £30,000 before he even started his Three Six Five Challenge.

Last year he raised over £200,000 for the charities by running 100 consecutive marathons.

“You still have your life tasks, you’ve still got washing, making meals and cooking for the kids and so on. My wife takes on the large bulk of that,” said Gary, of Cleator Moor.

“I wouldn’t be able to do something like this without the support of my wife.”

There are always family considerations to weigh up before embarking on a new challenge.

“I have to factor how that is going to impact her (his wife). For example, I won’t be going on a family holiday this year,” he said.

However, Gary insists he won’t be stopping the rest of the family from going without him if they like.

“My 14-year-old has said he doesn’t want to go and wants to support me and before school, he does 10 miles on an exercise bike or 3-4 miles on a treadmill.

“The kids are my first support mechanism; I look up to them and they look up to me.”

Anyone wishing to run or cycle (one mile, 10 or even 26, any distance is welcome) with Gary can contact him on his Facebook page Marathon Man 365.

To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/threesixfive