In recent hours, a Briton has achieved the insane goal he set for 2022, which is to raise one million pounds ($1.2 million) to fight cancer, by running 365 marathons in 365 days.
The experience of 53-year-old Briton Gary Mackey received wide interaction on social media, as its pioneers shared pictures and videos of Mackey's participation in the races.
On the last day of 2022, the British runner completed his experience by running during all days of the year, as he insisted that Saturday complete his 365th marathon in the rain, meaning that he completed a total distance of 15,330 kilometers, and was received by a small crowd of supporters near his home.
He's done it!
An incredible 365 marathons in 365 consecutive days.
Gary McKee's run over 9,500 miles and gone through 20+ pairs of trainers to raise an unbelievable £1m - and counting - for @macmillancancer & @HospiceatHomeWC
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
https://t.co/bJL4JsrkAf pic.twitter.com/Z6UAl84orZ
— Macmillan North West (@MacmillanNW) December 31, 2022
But this father of three, who lives in Cleator Moor, northwest England, did not achieve his financial goal until a few hours after New Year's Eve, which is one million pounds for the Macmillan Cancer Support Association.
I've #justsponsored the inspirational Gary McKee, who has run a marathon every day in 2022 to raise £1m for Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home West Cumbria on @JustGiving.
He is on £750,000 - please help him over the line.
https://t.co/Go2VPdlDJo
— JennyBoothEditorial (@JennyDotBooth) December 31, 2022
And the French Press Agency indicated that this challenge is not the first that Gary Mackie is taking on for the benefit of charities, as he has previously roamed Brazil by air, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, rowed distances equivalent to the distance of the English Channel, and ran 100 marathons in 100 days in 2017, and then completed 110 Marathons in 110 days in 2021.
And last year, Mackey rose to the challenge. His task required 22 pairs of sneakers.
He was often joined by unknown people or even athletes such as England rugby coach Yvonne Seinfeld, when he was jogging in the morning before his afternoon work at a nuclear waste treatment site.
In 2022, Gary McKee ran 365 marathons in 365 days to raise funds for MacMillan Cancer Support.
He has raised over £1million.
Legend.
Happy new year one and all!
pic.twitter.com/AjwHTiuKQC
— Maiden Erlegh School PE Department (@MES_PE_Dept) December 31, 2022
He told the specialized "Runners World" website that he did not care if his achievement could be recorded as a record, and said, "What matters is not records, but helping people."
On social media, activists shared pictures and clips of McKee's challenges, and British news site accounts confirmed that the effort he made was "amazing and incredible."
Happy New Year!
🎉
If you're feeling generous today, please donate to @Marathon_Man365's amazing cause!
Gary just finished running 365 marathons in 365 days to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support!
What an absolute legend 🫡https://t.co/OcNRltuWZp@macmillancancer
— Daniel Cranney 🇬🇧 (@danielcranney) January 1, 2023
In a video clip, Mackie appears with a group of runners in the last marathon of 2022, where a number of participants ran behind him carrying balloons in the form of 365, which is the number of days in the year and the number of marathons in which the English athlete participated.
In 2022, Gary McKee ran 365 marathons in 365 days to raise funds for MacMillan Cancer Support.
He has raised over £1million.
Legend.
Happy new year one and all!
pic.twitter.com/AjwHTiuKQC
— Maiden Erlegh School PE Department (@MES_PE_Dept) December 31, 2022
Macmillan Cancer Support's account said, in a tweet celebrating Mackey's accomplishments: Gary Mackey has crossed the finish line!
Great way to end the year!
Congratulations on completing 365 marathons in 2022, that's a total of 9,563 miles, and raising over £1m, an extraordinary feat of sheer grit and determination.