West Cumbria’s marathon man is currently more than halfway through a challenge to support the hospitality sector.
Gary McKee is running from John O’ Groats to Land’s End in aid of the Licensed Trade Charity over 30 days and is expected to finish on August 11.
Mr McKee first completed the route in the opposite direction 15 years ago. He said he had always wanted to do it again, but the logistics of sorting a team, time off work and costs had previously been a barrier.
He spoke to Cumbria Crack’s John Walsh about the challenge, his extensive fundraising history, which has generated over £2.5m for causes since 2003.
The conversation also highlights his family’s involvement and the honour of receiving an MBE from Prince William in recognition of 25 years of fundraising. The prince light-heartedly questioned his sanity.
Gary began fundraising after his father died in 2003.
His son, Beau, also ran the London Marathon with him this year despite being diagnosed with a heart condition around Christmas.
Gary said his family remained very supportive of his current run.
Hear their chat below:
Talking about his most recent challenge, Gary said: “A charity asked me if I would be interested in doing a few days and I looked at the route and I spoke it through with my wife.
“We decided that I would do it all. It’s been supported by a lot of the breweries.
“The Licensed Trade Charity support people in the hospitality sector. So, anybody who’s fallen on hard times, anybody who’s going through drug alcohol abuse, anybody who just, you know, there’s lots and lots of things happening around.
“If they contact the Licensed Trade Charity, they will direct them to the help and the support that they need and last year they supported over 45,000 people.”
The challenge involves 28 days of running and two family days.
Gary is averaging 33 to 34 miles a day and said the longest distance covered in a single day was 38 miles.
The halfway points of his daily runs are usually at pubs, which have supported the team with food and drink.
The runner tries to start his daily route at 9am and usually finishes at 4pm. Over 50,000 people have signed up on Strava to do their own version of the route and support the charity.
