A father who completed 365 marathons in one year has been left “surprised” after meeting Prince William on Wednesday.
Gary McKee, from Cleator Moor, near Whitehaven in Cumbria, achieved the astonishing athletic feat in 2022 while working a full-time job.
The father-of-three raised more than £1.3million for charity that year.
This remarkable accomplishment was then followed up by a further 100 marathons in 100 days in 2026, culminating in the London Marathon on April 26, where he was joined by his son, Beau.
The nuclear plant worker was honoured as a Member of the Order of the British Empire by Prince William on Wednesday, a testament to his charitable achievements.
Taking to social media, Mr McKee detailed his shock at the award: “It was a real surprise and a huge honour to be recognised with an MBE and today was incredibly special.
“To receive the award from Prince William at Windsor Castle is something I never imagined would happen. Fundraising has always been about trying to make a difference and support causes that mean a lot to me and so many others, so to be recognised in this way is very humbling.
“What made the day even more special was being able to share it with my family.”
Gary McKee, who completed 365 marathons in one year, has been left ‘surprised’ after meeting Prince William on Wednesday
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He added that he is “proud to have represented West Cumbria” and hopes the prestigious award can “shine a light on the incredible generosity, community spirit and kindness that exists back home.”
Mr McKee was joined by his wife, Sue, and three children, Alfie, Beau, and Minnie, at Windsor Castle on Thursday, as he received the award from the Prince of Wales.
For more than two decades, Mr McKee has dedicated himself to fundraising for charities, including Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
‘To receive the award from Prince William at Windsor Castle is something I never imagined would happen,’ Gary McKee said on social media
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PA
Mr McKee ran the 874-mile journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats in 2011, and also the Coast to Coast challenge of 116 miles in under 24 hours.
He has now completed more than 650 marathons throughout his life, clocking over 33,000 miles on the popular exercise app Strava.
However, he admitted he hadn’t been “using it for that many years”.
“You could probably double that for the things I’ve done, so it’s a long way,” he said back in April.
Gary McKee and his son, Beau, completed the London Marathon together in April, marking the conclusion of his latest 100 marathons in 100 days challenge
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INSTAGRAM: MARATHONMANGARY
For comparison, the Earth’s circumference stands at 24,900 miles.
“I’m on my second lap of running around the Earth,” he added.
Running is in the McKee’s blood. In 2018, Mr McKee’s son, Beau, who turns 18 in September, ran for 501 consecutive days, raising more than £40,000 for charity.
In total, Mr McKee has now raised more than £2million for his chosen charities.