A Birchwood dad who has been running 5k a day for a year for Cancer Research UK – is set to complete his epic challenge next weekend, on Saturday, April 25.
Chris Lee has run 5k every day since April 2019. That’s almost a marathon a week for a year.
The 38-year old has sprinted through extreme weather, injury and even the premature birth of his son to raise nearly £5k for Cancer Research UK.
The motivation for Chris’s year-long challenge came after losing his mum Karen, 51, to tracheal cancer in March 2011.
The dad-of-four said: “My mum was a huge part of my life and it was absolutely devastating to lose her so suddenly.
“She’d just nipped out to the local shop one day when she had a fall. She was taken to hospital for a check-up when doctors discovered a tumour on her wind pipe which could not be operated on. We lost her just six weeks later.”
Chris – who works as a furniture shop manager – was determined to channel his grief into something positive and decided to help others affected by cancer by embarking on the ‘5k a day’ challenge.
Despite having limited running experience, Chris has made his way through storms, gale force winds and five pairs of trainers in the past year – without taking a single day off.
Even when baby Arthur arrived prematurely in December last year, he was doing laps of the hospital car park to hit his daily target.
Chris – who is also dad to Ellie,18, Jessica, 12, and six-year-old Charlie – said: “The training has been really tough but it’s so motivating to know that the money I raise is helping Cancer Research UK to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.”
Over the last year, Chris has also invited others to join him on milestone runs including the 50th, 100th and 150th dashes at in local parks across the North West.
He said: “Some days I’ve had nearly a hundred people joining me on the runs. The support of others has been truly incredible and it definitely gives me the motivation to keep putting my trainers on each day. I know my mum would be proud of me for what I have achieved.”
Chris has been documenting his challenge on social media with regular updates on Twitter and Instagram @Chris82Lee. He had originally been planning to mark the final run by bringing friends, family and supporters to run 5k together on Saturday 25 April.
Instead, he is now inviting people across the country to join him virtually on Facebook where he will be live streaming his final run at 11am. He is also encouraging others to complete their own virtual 5k that day – in line with current government guidelines – by signing up here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/s/5k-everyday-for-a-year-virtual/602620643851736/
Anyone who joins the virtual run and donates £10 will also receive a medal and thank you pack from Cancer Research UK.
Chris said: “Obviously we’re in a situation where we can’t go out in big groups. But I was determined to press ahead with the big finale and encourage people to join me online instead. It’ll be a great way to bring people together and a really special moment.”
Although this will be Chris’ final run, on Saturday, April 25 he will be handing a ‘virtual baton’ over to Jennifer Seymour – a Cancer Research UK supporter originally from Lowton – who will start her own 5k a day challenge on the day he finishes.
Chris said: “Jennifer and I met at a Cancer Research UK event in Warrington last year and she too has lost loved ones to cancer. I’m absolutely honoured that she has agreed to take on the challenge for another year and keep this going.
“We both know first-hand just how devastating the disease can be and as the fight against cancer continues, I’m also committed to making sure this challenge continues.”
Anna Taylor, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for the North West said: “We are incredibly grateful to Chris for the determination that he has shown throughout the past year.
“As a charity we receive no government funding and we rely on the support of people like Chris to raise vital funds to support our lifesaving work.”
Anna added: “Cancer Research UK has made enormous progress in the fight against cancer. However, we have only been able to do this thanks to the dedication and commitment of our volunteers and supporters without whom we would not be able to fund our research.
“While the country is in a period of lockdown, we would like to encourage anyone interested to support Chris by joining his virtual run this weekend. Together, we will beat cancer.”
For further information about Cancer Research UK’s work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit cruk.org.
