By Rachael Grealish

Cumbria’s Marathon Man is just days away from taking on one of his biggest challenges yet, the Grand To Grand Ultra – 171 miles across six days.

Gary McKee is currently on his way to the US where he’ll take on the enormous challenge of making it from the Grand Canyon, in Arizona on September 24, and finishing at the Grand Staircase, in Utah, on September 30 – all in order to raise money for Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

The Grand To Grand Ultria is a self-supported footrace, meaning participants must run the duration carrying all of their supplies, equipment and food.

The ultra run is recognised as one of the toughest footraces in the world and one of North America’s top six stunning ultra trail runs. It takes you through a high desert at an average altitude of over 6,070 ft so Gary will need to be there at least three days before to acclimatise to the altitude.

The course will be split into six stages ranging from approximately 8 miles (12 km) to 53 miles (85 km) with all stages having a cut-off time of when they must be complete. 

Each night Gary will rest in a tent, which fits up to eight competitors and thankfully he is promised clean toilets, water, hot and cold showers and medical facilities.

As this is the desert, he will be expected to experience a range of temperatures each day from a high of 30C (86F) during the day to lows overnight of 8C(46F) or lower.

Gary Mckee said “I was contacted by the organisers of the Grand to Grand to see if I’d be interested in taking part in this year’s race. It was a race I’d never heard about but when I looked into it, I was amazed.

“I will be self-supported for the duration of the run carrying all of my supplies, equipment and food so I will have to carefully weigh everything out before I go. It’s a huge challenge, but I’m looking forward to taking it on! It’s a fantastic opportunity and supporting a good cause which is very close to my heart”.

The 52-year-old is no novice when it comes to gruelling physical challenges as in the past Gary has completed 100 marathons in 100 days, 110 marathons in 110 days, cycled through Brazil, climbed Kilimanjaro, trekked through New Zealand, jumped out of aeroplanes, walked across hot coals and rowed the equivalent distance of the English Channel (and then back), ran from Lands End to John ‘O’ Groats, ran, walked and cycled the C2C, and ran the three peaks.

Gemma Bell, Marketing & Income Generation Team Leader for Hospice at Home West Cumbria said “Gary never ceases to amaze us with the challenges he takes on.

“The resilience and strength he showed during his 365 Marathon challenge in 2022, there is no doubt in my mind he will go out and smash this challenge too.

“We are so grateful for Gary’s continued support, as not only has he helped lots of families going through the most difficult of times, but he has helped to raise awareness of the services that Hospice at Home West Cumbria deliver. We can’t wait to follow Gary’s journey through the Grand to Grand Ultra challenge and look forward to celebrating with him on his return”. 

For anyone wanting to show their support and sponsor Gary please visit his JustGiving page https://bit.ly/3KvCdoK