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Meet The Man Running 100 Marathons In 100 Days For An Incredible Cause

Meet The Man Running 100 Marathons In 100 Days For An Incredible Cause

​Gary McKee isn't just your average 48-year-old bloke...

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Experts believe you should train for at least four months before running your first marathon, so how long would it take to prepare for 100 marathons in 100 days?

It sounds like an impossible feat, but with the help of Jaffa Cakes and tea, a 47-year-old man is on the brink of breaking records for an incredible cause.

Gary McKee is a man on a mission. He has walked over hot coals, climbed Kilimanjaro and cycled through Brazil on a 800-mile trek for charity.

Now, Gary, from Cleator Moor in Cumbria, has almost smashed his toughest challenge to date while raising thousands for Macmillan Cancer Support.

On January 14, 2017, McKee began his journey to complete an incredible 100 marathons in 100 days and has somehow covered 26.2 miles every day for three grueling months, while juggling work life and looking after his family of three.

"It is hard - but it's a bit of running, and I can do it. Every day someone somewhere loses someone they love to cancer - that's really hard, and my bit of running doesn't compare to someone going through that." Gary said.


Credit: Facebook


As part of his incredible achievement, Gary has smashed the world record for the most consecutive marathons run by a man - previously held by Australian runner Matthew Daniels, who completed an impressive 55 marathons in 55 days back in 2016.

He is hoping that the Guinness World Records will recognise his achievement when he completes his 100th and final run on April 23 at the famous London Marathon with 38,000 people of all ages.

"During the London Marathon there will be 65 world record attempts. They are aware of my attempt so It would be great to receive the acknowledgment, but the priority for me is the charity." Gary told SPORTbible.

"I'm close to raising 50,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support, which is incredible. On June 23, 1997, my life changed when my dad was diagnosed with cancer. He fought it and was a survivor. He passed away of an unrelated illness in 2003, so in his memory I started fundraising for Macmillan."


So, how does Gary prepare for a standard 26.2 mile run?

"My routine varies. I still work in between marathons, but I usually wake up early morning." Gary said.

"I'd typically eat two slices of toast with jam and a Banana, but I'm not a breakfast person. I literally force feed myself."

"After breakfast, I run on a treadmill for ten minutes to stretch because as you imagine, I've got some aches and pains in the morning.

"Then people start to turn up at my house because they want to support me during the 26.2 mile run, which is incredible. Around 150 people have tagged along so far."


Credit: Facebook


In terms of preparation before the marathon, Gary is insistent that he must keep active. Risks are high in marathon running, but the 47-year-old will continue to run and raise more money:

"I was doing up to 100 miles a week training before the record attempt, but i was also very aware of my weight. I started out heavy for a marathon runner. I was 15 stone 10. I was conscious of being light, because if you are slighter in weight, then you're more likely to sustain an injury.

"When you're bigger, it's easier. I've lost three and a half stone during the 93 days training and i'm on protein to reduce weight loss. I'm eating like a horse but I'm losing a lot of weight. I'm currently 12 stone five.

"I know the risks involved here. Medically, organ failure is a possibility and there's a greater risk for developing blood clots. I'm taking a lot of ibuprofen, but there's a frightening array of things that could go wrong. I'll be going to the doctor as soon as i'm finished for an assessment."

Mckee
Mckee

Credit: Elwyn Evans


Credit: Facebook

Gary's story is certainly an inspirational one.

If you want to help him reach his £50,000 target, then go over to his Just Giving page and donate to the incredibly worthy cause.

What a man!

Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Gary McKee