DIARY: Beyond Radio's Phil McGrath passes the 40 mark on his 60 Before 60 Challenge

Beyond Radio presenter Phil McGrath has now completed more than 40 challenges as he bids to mark 60 things off his 'bucket list' before his 60th birthday.

Phil McGrath has launched his '60 Before 60 Challenge' aiming to do all the things he's always wanted to, but never got round to before.

Phil, who presents The Quick Draw Radio Show on Monday nights on Beyond Radio, turns 60 in April 2025. 

He also works for Citizens' Advice in Lancaster, helping families who have been affected by cancer to claim benefits they are entitled to.

Phil was recently diagnosed with non-curative lung cancer, after twice beating cancer before.

He has begun a course of chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment, and says that beating cancer again has been added to his list of challenges.

So far during his challenge, he has taken a selfie with a Harlem Globetrotter basketball player, met Elbow star Guy Garvey, eaten a Kurdish meal, which he'd never done before, ran the Tolkien Trail, experienced his first ever 70s Weekender at Butlin's, taken on a game of 'electric shock' laser tag in Morecambe and completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.

Here's his latest diary extract:

Week 17

A quiet week this week in terms of activity. Foot issues – gout giving jip in response to chemo!

On Sunday did manage to get out for a walk around Sedgwick and Low Park Wood with Ruby and Ruth – three miles completed.

Begun to read 'On this Holy Island' by Oliver Smith. I really enjoyed the book and it raised lots of questions.

Week 18

More scans this week. CT Scan on Monday but new chemo had to be abandoned on Tuesday as I hadn’t been given steroids! Back to chemo on Wednesday though. On the positive though it meant that I was able to do the Train the Trainer course that had been planned at work!

Wednesday's chemo included tests at Urology too. A packed day, followed on Friday with another scan – this time an ultra sound, which showed no change! A bit of a relief.

Sunday I was out with Trailblazers again. A walk this time though but 5.5 miles at Jenny Brown’s Point.

Week 19

Beginning to get back into training again, still aiming for the Great North Run, turned down the opportunity to postpone but need to start getting some miles in the legs!

Out with Heron Flyers Tuesday and Thursday. Going my own way but getting a 3.5 mile speed walk and a 3.5 mile jog under my belt.

Saturday saw Challenge 25 of 60, watching The Lancashire Hot Pot’s at the Lancaster Grand. A brilliantly funny and entertaining show from Lancashire’s ambassadors of the famed Chippy Tea! Loved their new songs and, of course the classics – if you’ve never seen them – they’re well recommended for a great night out – great to see mates there too! 

 The week finished with a walk with Nigel as the Trailblazers went off on their run – completed 4.5miles around Whitbarrow.

Week 20

Another consultant check up confirms that the new chemo seems to be more tolerated.

A last minute decision to attempt 26/60 The 20 Barriers Race - a 5.5mile race over 20 Barriers across rural Carnforth. Loved the event, even though it was a slow one, probably due to it being the first back after a few weeks off!

Saturday’s trip to the Lytham Festival 27/60 was a great surprise, and early start due to the football match, England v Switzerland at the Euros, was preceded by Kid Kapichi (who were great!) the Lightning Seeds and thousands of audience members singing Three Lions.

We were even on the official videos at about 1.55 minutes in!

The football, which we won ON PENALTIES, was followed by Rick Astley and then top of the bill Madness! A brilliant day’s entertainment with an England win.

The week finished with my first Trailblazer run back – Silverdale 6.5miles beautiful!

Week 21

Well, a packed week coming! Setting up camp on Monday, a visit to Chorley on Tuesday and back to Lancaster for the Heron Flyers for a five miler through Halton. The funeral of a dear friend on Wednesday followed by Chemo #2 and on Thursday challenge 28/60 the Velocity Zip Wire – 1.5km at 120mph followed by challenge 29/60 Quarry Carts with Yzzy!

30/60 Astley Hall, Chorley was visited on Friday. It was really interesting visit learning a bit more about Lancashire’s history. Even got to see Cromwell’s wellies!

A beautiful, unspoilt building with many bits dating from the 1600s. While we were there a chainsaw artist was completing a sculpture of the Green Man out of a dead tree in the grounds.

31/60 Ormskirk Parkrun was completed on Saturday. Areally friendly crowd of volunteers on a 2.5 lap run based at Edge Hill University sport grounds. 

In the afternoon we visited Parbold Village Fayre which was an unexpected pleasure, and we followed that by moving on to Cosby Beach to see the Gormley Statues 32/60 Another Place by Anthony Gormley.

Sunday was a challenging day completing the 4 Lancashire Panopticons:

33/60 The Atom 

34/60 The Singing Ringing Tree 

35/60 The Halo 

and 36/60 Colourfields 

My favourite was probably the Singing Ringing Tree, especially as it was singing whilst we were there, although not constantly – but we definitely heard it!

Must aim to visit the Halo again, probably when it’s lit up.

The Atom was inspiring too, a lovely walk around – we spent most time at Colourfields at Corporation Park – although it has to be said that we spent most of the time exploring the park!

The park had lots of features that would be fantastic with a bit of investment, particularly to the pavilions. The colours at the panopticon could do with a bit of a lift too.

Week 22

This week started with a trip to Blackpool to complete challenges 37/60 Blackpool Circus, 38/60 Showtown Museum and 39/60 £10 at Coral Island Amusements.

The circus never fails to impress, some excellent performances from the cast, Mookie never fails to raise a laugh and the suspense of the high wire and wheel adds to the thrills of the circus. Well worth a visit!

Show Town is an excellent museum, which could easily be replicated in Morecambe. The museum chronicles the development of Blackpool as a tourist town, particularly focussing on the entertainers, magicians and lights. We had a really enjoyable couple of hours exploring the exhibits. A great exhibition of photos by Andy Hollingworth too.

Tuesday was spent exploring Southport and a rescue mission to replace our burst air mattress!

We were treated to tickets to 40/60 Tatton Garden Festival on Wednesday. Loved the exhibitions and displays and had an entertaining day. All things gardening, could have spent a fortune, quite happily, if we’d a garden that would take all of the stuff we liked!!

On Saturday night we saw 41/60 Hairspray at the Manchester Palace. What a brilliant show, with lots of debutantes including the main character Tracy Turnblad played by Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby – certainly one to watch!

Neil Hurst did a great job as Edna Turnblad and the whole cast were outstanding. A great night – You Can’t Stop the Music!

On Sunday we completed 42/60 Warton Stock Cars with Anna and Jules. Carnage as expected but a great day out and a fantastic family atmosphere. Not much money for a day's entertainment.

Week 23

A quiet week in terms of challenges but back to running on Tuesday with Heron Flyers 5miles on Tuesday with an additional four miles on Thursday.

Saturday was a fundraising coffee morning at Halton Institute and Sunday I was Blazing Solo on a nine mile run through Galgate and Lancaster along the canal and past the University, avoiding the cycling Grand Prix!

Completed reading 'The Lost Bookshop' by Evie Woods.   

Read Part 1 of Phil's 60 Before 60 Diary HERE

Part 2 can be found HERE.

Part 3 is HERE.