Birchwood dad Chris Lee has completed his 5k a day for a year for Cancer Research UK in memory of his mum and after a day off tomorrow, is already planning his next challenge!
Chris aged 38, has been running 5k every day since April 2019, almost a marathon a week for a year, sprinting through extreme weather, injury and even the premature birth of his son to raise over £7,000 for Cancer Research UK, with more funds still coming in.
The motivation for his year-long challenge came after losing his mum Karen, 51, to tracheal cancer in March 2011.
Even lockdown and the coronavirus pandemic, something Chris said he didn’t mention much during his journey, because he didn’t want to be negative, didn’t stop him completing his challenge, as he was joined by over 100 “virtual runners” who completed their own 5ks on the same day.
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.
On completing his challenge near his Birchwood home, Chris – who is also dad to Ellie,18, Jessica, 12, and six-year-old Charlie said he was “sad to be finishing as it has become a big part of my life” but he is already starting to plan his next challenge!
He says it is comething he absolutely wants to carry on doing, to help save others going through the grief of cancer.
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.
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 – and this is something he is looking to still do once lockdown has ended.
Now after completing his own 5k a day Chris handed over a ‘virtual baton’ over to Jennifer Seymour – a Cancer Research UK supporter originally from Lowton but now in Jersey– who will start her own 5k a day challenge today.
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.”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.
You can see Chris complete his last 5k below.
Meanwhile donations can still be made via his facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/events/s/5k-everyday-for-a-year-virtual/602620643851736/
