You may remember Michael Watson or ‘Marathon Mike’ from last year, when he completed an incredible 48 marathons with Gary McKee to support Gary’s 110 marathon challenge.

This year, Michael has pledged his support to Gary once again, and plans to help raise awareness of Gary’s 365 challenge by setting his own remarkable challenge and completing 500 Wainwright Fells!

Michael, 51, from Whitehaven, began his 500 Wainwright challenge on the 1st of this month, and plans to have completed two full rounds of the Wainwrights, plus an extra 72- to total 500 fells before the end of the year. He is already off to a fantastic start, with 37 already in the bag in the first two weeks!

Michael is a life-long Leeds United fan who loves spending his spare time on the fells, he and his wife Marjorie have already completed all 214 of the Wainwrights back in 2020 – and are looking forward to revisiting them all again this year.

Michael said, “I feel fortunate to once again have the opportunity to support Gary, Hospice at Home West Cumbria and Macmillan Cancer Support. I can see that what I am doing may be seen as challenging and time consuming but it’s nothing compared to the daily struggle for those we are supporting”

In 2021, Gary Mckee ran 110 marathons in 110 days raising funds for Hospice at Home West Cumbria and Macmillan Cancer Support. Michael was a part of this very special challenge and ran an incredible 48 marathons alongside Gary. Michael unfortunately picked up an injury during last year, leaving him unable to run a long distance, but as his walking boots substitute his running shoes, he is looking forward to tackling this challenge and raising awareness of the two chosen charities throughout his time on the fells.

Ellie Mcmillan, Communications Coordinator for hospice said “We are privileged that Mike is once again supporting Gary McKee and helping him to raise awareness and funds for two very important charities. On behalf of everyone at Hospice at Home West Cumbria we would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Michael and want to wish him lots of luck for the year ahead.”

To follow Michaels Journey, please follow the social media pages below:

Twitter – @mountainmike500

Facebook – @214- Walking the Wainwrights