Running News Daily

Brazilian runner breaks Guinness World Record with 366 consecutive marathons

A Brazilian ultrarunner has set a new Guinness World Record for the most consecutive marathon-distance runs in 366 days. On August 28, Hugo Farias of São Paulo completed his 366 consecutive 42.2-kilometer runs to finish his Projeto Propósito in front of a crowd of 2,000 people.

Farias, 44, started his journey on Aug. 28, 2022, after quitting his job at IBM. He set out on this challenge with the goal of completing 365 marathons in 365 days to show people that anything is possible. He did not decide to do a 366th until recently, as he wanted to eclipse the Guinness World Record and surpass the accomplishments of Belgium’s Stefan Engels and England’s Gary McKee, both of whom completed the full calendar year.

Farias tracked the entire project on Strava, where he wore daily bib numbers according to the marathon number he was on. After completing his 366th run, Farias joked, “I think I will start reducing volume now.”

The father of one covered an astonishing 15,443 km, which is equivalent to a flight from New York to Singapore, and 123,000 metres of elevation gain, or roughly 14 times the height of Mount Everest. According to his Strava, Farias went through 27 pairs of running shoes during the challenge and had 10 shoes on rotation (over 10 days) for the first five months.

His Projeto Propósito required extensive planning, and Farias had support from a team of health professionals which included running coaches, a physical trainer, a physiotherapist, a psychologist, a nutritionist, an orthopedist, a dermatologist (his wife), plus cardiologists and physiologists. Farias also dedicated three months to physical and mental preparation before undertaking his marathon journey.

His Projeto Propósito required extensive planning, and Farias had support from a team of health professionals which included running coaches, a physical trainer, a physiotherapist, a psychologist, a nutritionist, an orthopedist, a dermatologist (his wife), plus cardiologists and physiologists. Farias also dedicated three months to physical and mental preparation before undertaking his marathon journey.

British man completes 365 straight marathons, earning a well-deserved beer

On Saturday, Gary McKee completed his 365-day run streak of a marathon every day in his hometown of Cleator Moor, U.K. Thousands of supporters and media were on hand to help him celebrate his accomplishment of covering more than 9,500 miles (15,289 kilometers) while raising more than $2,000,000 for charity. 

McKee’s marathon streak was not the only streak that ended. McKee went one year without drinking, and celebrated his huge run with a well-deserved cold one. The beer was a personalized craft IPA from Ennerdale Brewery in Cumbria, U.K., called “The Marathon Man 365 IPA”.  

McKee ran the final stretch with his friends and family and immediately thanked everyone who came out for all their support during his challenge: “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.”

McKee ran for Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice in West Cumbria, which supported his father through a cancer diagnosis in 1997. His father recovered from cancer, but died from an unrelated illness in 2005.

McKee, who is himself a father of three, routinely woke up at 5 a.m. and headed out on his marathon before starting his work shift at 2 p.m.

Although McKee is considered to be the first British runner to run 365 consecutive marathons, Spanish ultrarunner Ricardo Abad Martinez holds the world record, with 607 marathons in 607 days between October 2010 and February 2012. 

McKee told local news he will take a break from marathoning over the next couple of weeks to spend time with his family before planning his next challenge.

British man Gary McKee to make history for most marathons in one year

Some people’s New Year’s resolution is to quit drinking. For others, it’s to run a marathon. But for Gary McKee of Cleator Moor, in northwestern England, his resolution was to quit drinking and run a marathon–every single day for a year. McKee is two days away from completing his unbelievable challenge of running 365 consecutive marathons.

McKee, who has gained the nickname The Marathon Man, has covered more than 9,500 miles (15,289 kilometers) in 363 days while raising more than $2,000,000 for charity. His distance covered is equivalent to running across Canada three and half times. McKee’s challenge will come to an end on New Year’s Eve.

McKee, 53, told The Guardian, that he intends to have one celebratory beer to celebrate his efforts and year-long drought.

The father of three routinely wakes up at 5 a.m. and heads out on his marathon before starting his work shift at a nearby power plant at 2 p.m.

McKee has completed most of his marathons between three and a half and four hours. In 2021, McKee completed 110 marathons in a row.

McKee is running for Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice in West Cumbria, which supported his father through a cancer diagnosis in 1997. His father fully recovered from cancer but died from an unrelated illness in 2005.

You can follow McKee’s 365 challenge on his Strava or Twitter page.

Marathon man Gary McKee prepares for 365 marathons in 365 days

Marathon man Gary McKee has shaken off concerns that his latest challenge of completing 365 marathons in 365 days is one step too far.

The 52-year-old raised £200,000 by completing 110 marathons in 110 days only a few months ago, with the dad of three now aiming even higher this time around.

From January 1 to December 31, Gary will complete his biggest challenge to date in an effort to raise £1 million for two charities close to his heart: Hospice at Home West Cumbria and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Cleator Moor man 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.

Despite being his toughest challenge to date, Gary is confident he’s got what it take to succeed.

“Some people think you are crazy and I understand why people think that because they think of themselves and think ‘I could never do that’, but they don’t know me,” he said.

“People ask me ‘how are you going to do 365 marathons in 365 days?’ but I’ve done 110 and I know what it is about and I know how to do it.

“I know how to prepare myself, I know how to sort myself out the next day and I know how to do things in a certain way. I am in charge too so if I want to go slow at certain points I will go slow.

“It’s just four hours running and then you prepare yourself for the next day.”

Stella Walsh, fundraising and communications team leader for the hospice, said: “We are so excited to begin this journey again with Gary. Everyone here at Hospice at Home West Cumbria wants to wish him lots of luck and thank him once again for his incredible support.

The dedication and commitment he has shown to support both charities is astounding. The support he received from our local communities during the 110 challenge was amazing, and I’m sure this time it will be even bigger and better!”

Balancing work, running and family

Gary will start his first marathon from his home on New Year’s Day and will do so every day as well as working full-time, and being a busy family man with his three children.

Sue McDonald, Macmillan Cancer Support’s fundraising manager for Cumbria, 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 this 365 Challenge is almost incomprehensible in the scale of its ambition.

“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 rigors 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, and it’s only through our fantastic fundraisers like Gary who help ensure Macmillan can continue to deliver the services that people living with cancer desperately need, now and in the future.”

Macmillan Cancer Support’s chief executive, Lynda Thomas, added: “Gary McKee has been a prolific fundraiser for Macmillan for almost 20 years; for which we can’t thank him enough.

“Gary is genuinely inspiring – and at some point in 2022 I hope to make it up to Cleator Moor and run part of this with him to show our support for him.”

Brendon Cook, chair of Hospice at Home West Cumbria, said: “As a small local charity, the support that Gary has given us and the people in our local community that have got behind him really does make a difference. The effort Gary makes to not only raising our income but also raising our profile, is immeasurable. Our Board of Trustees are delighted to have been able to personally sponsor his first running vest and we all look forward to showing our support throughout the year.

Gary is appealing for everyone to once again get behind him and help him reach his target.

Marathon runner completes epic 110-day challenge running the same marathon course since February 1

A runner has finished an epic challenge of completing 110 marathons in 110 consecutive days.

Gary McKee ran the same 26.2 mile (42km) circuit around his home in Cleator Moor, Cumbria, UK every day since 1 February, in memory of his father.

The 51-year-old has raised more than £110,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home West Cumbria, smashing his initial target of £10,000.

Cheering crowds welcomed him home as he crossed the finish line.

He said he was pleased the town had turned out to greet him.

"I enjoyed the moment. I did look up at the sky and think of the people who you have been running for and the people you run in memory of, and there have been lots of them. I thought about my dad," he said.

"It's a wonderful feeling because everyone had a smile on their face. It has captured the imagination of the town of Cleator Moor and further afield."

Initially after completing the challenge he was holding a cup of tea to keep warm, but he said he was "looking forward to a beer".

Mr McKee is no stranger to challenges - he has previously climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, trekked through New Zealand and ran from Land's End to John O'Groats.

He was inspired to fundraise for Macmillan after his father was diagnosed with cancer in 1997. He died from an unrelated illness in 2003.

His 16-year-old son Alfie and nephew Stuart McKee have also been taking part by cycling 110 marathons in 110 days, and a younger son, Beau, and daughter Minnie have done their own running challenges.

He has also been accompanied by friends Kevin Hetherington, who took part in 55 marathons, and Michael Watson, who joined him for 44.

Mr McKee, who would often complete a marathon before starting his shift at Sellafield, said he would not necessarily be sorry to end the challenge.

Speaking before his final run he described it as an "emotional day".

"I know that it's coming to an end and people tend to think you can't wait to get finished and have a rest," he said.

"But the way I see it is that when you finish donations stop coming in and that's a little bit of a sad part of it."

Sue McDonald, Macmillan fundraising manager for Cumbria, said: "To smash out 110 consecutive marathons is an incredible feat.

"The support from Gary's children and the community has been phenomenal - and to get messages of support from Mo Farah, Sally Gunnell and yesterday from Kevin Sinfield has given everyone such a boost over the many long days.

"There's quite a few tears of joy and pride today - and with good reason."