LEGENDARY Cumbrian Marathon Man Gary Mckee has set out on his biggest challenge yet - as he attempts to run 365 consecutive marathons in 365 days.

The Cleator Moor father of three is no stranger to these crazy challenged previously running 100 marathons in 100 days and is most recently completing 110 marathons in 110 days last spring.

Gary is hoping to raise £1 million for Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home West Cumbria in his current challenge.

Speaking to his followers ahead of the first run on Saturday, Gary said: "I hope you follow me on my journey of running 365 marathons in 365 days.

"Today we will set off on what will be a difficult challenge, but nothing is more difficult than facing cancer and we can get through this together.

"I have got a good team behind me,lots of support, lots of people wanting to help out and to me it's just a case of one day at a time, that's how I'm going to take it."

The Marathon Man also tok time to send his best wishes and support to another well-known West Cumbrian Danny Hodgson- the ex-Carlisle United star who was brutally attacked and seriously injured earlier this year in Perth, Australia.

Gary said: "I just want to say that throughout this year I will run nine and a half thousand miles.... nine and a half thousand miles takes you to Perth in Australia where young Danny Hodgson is recovering after a serious assault last year.

"So I just want to wish you the best mate, you're on the road to recovery, everybody is thinking about you and we will continue to do that, we want you to get stronger and get better, I want to be able to run with you."

Gary was joined on his first marathon of the year by a number of support runners, as well as his three children who all completed the course on their bikes.

The 52-year-old, who has supported Macmillan for more than 18 years,

Mr McKee was inspired to start fundraising for Macmillan after his father was diagnosed with cancer in 1997. Sadly his father died from an unrelated illness in 2003.

His previous endeavour's include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, trekking through New Zealand and running from Land’s End to John O’Groats.