Beyond Radio presenter achieves his '60 Before 60 Challenge'...and keeps going!

Beyond Radio presenter Phil McGrath has achieved his '60 Before 60 Challenge' but he's not stopping there!

The popular host of The Quick Draw Radio Show aimed to do 60 of the things he's always wanted to, but never got round to before, prior to his 60th birthday in April 2025.

And we are delighted to announce that after seven months of challenges around the UK, Phil has achieved his goal!

But he's decided to carry on and continue the challenges right the way up until the big day.

Phil, who also works for Citizens' Advice in Lancaster, has been diagnosed with non-curative lung cancer, after twice beating the disease. 

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

Here is his latest diary.

Week 31

Really looked forward to seeing Tim Peake: Astronauts – The Quest to Explore Space 50/60 in Liverpool this weekend.

It was a really interesting look at the Space Race and the scientific, political and historical reasons for space exploration.

Really impressive audio visual presentation although it raised questions for me about the current space race with those billionaire 'boys with toys' and whether their money and egos will be required to continue space exploration.

Also raised fears about the 'ownership' of space and seeing celestial objects as commodities for business exploitation.

Wednesday was an attempt at this year's Lancaster Royal Grammar School Supper Run 51/60.

Another great event by the LRGS team, a steady slow run at just over 40 minutes – loved the downhill stretch at the end!

The weekend saw us in Blackpool for the David Essex Concert 52/60 whilst across town at the Tower Ballroom, the Pride of Lancashire Awards were taking place.

Always the entertainer, David sang all of his hits with some great banter between the songs – what a performer!

Oh What a Circus!, Gonna Make You a Star, Rock On, Lamplight, A Winter's Tale, Silver Dream Machine – hit after hit – a brilliant show!

Week 32

A quieter week this week but another challenge completed – standing in for Beyond Bear 53/60 at the Morecambe v Notts County match, dancing with the cheerleaders and duelling and dueting with Christie Cat.

A great day – even if the Shrimps couldn’t come away with the points – an early goal cancelled out by a last minute equaliser and a Shrimp sent off!

Completed Philip K Dick – Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.

Week 33

Back at the Mazouma this week for hospitality at the Morecambe v Bradford City game 54/60 with the Beyond team.

A great night out – sadly another 1-1 draw and more late drama with an equaliser in the 88th minute!

On Thursday we went to the Lancaster Grand to see Jason Manford’s – A Manford All Seasons Work in Progress show 55/60.

A brilliant set which focussed on Dad jokes!

Some real belly laughs and a great night's entertainment. If you can get tickets for the show – it should be fantastic.

Week 34

Back to the Parkrun challenge (completing all of the Lancashire Parkruns). We visited a lovely woodland run Hyndburn Parkrun 56/60 this weekend.

Then we had a trip to Blackburn to see the fantastic Rhod Gilbert’s show Rhod and the Giant Grapefruit 57/60.

A really poignant and moving show that’s full of laughs whilst exploring his journey through cancer treatment and the challenges he faced on that journey.

The show was moving as well as hilarious and should be essential for anyone working with cancer patients as it explored the feelings, treatments, fears and challenges faced by many people facing cancer.

Some really funny moments – Michael Douglas gets a mention and there’s lots of really dark humour in the mix – can’t really expect anything else when head and throat cancer is the theme.

Rhod is now 'all clear' – looking forward to joining that club!!

Week 35

This week began with another visit to the oncology consultant who seems to think that everything is going in the right direction for me. Luvverly jubbly!

The body seems to be tolerating the chemotherapy well and I’m feeling quite well.

Friday night was a visit to Liverpool Empire for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 58/60 with Adam Garcia playing Caractacus Potts brilliantly and Liam Fox as Grandpa and The Vivienne as the Child Catcher.

A brilliant show – I really appreciated the humour of Boris and Goran, the Vulgarian spies and the daring Baron and Baroness played by Martin Callaghan and Jenny Gayner. A great show with some fantastic effects – and Chitty really did fly!

Morecambe Parkrun 59/60 continued the attempt to complete the Lancashire Parkruns. Another ticked off the list – a run up and down the prom – great for a PB!

Completed Philip K Dick – Electric Dreams

Week 36

This weekend we headed up to the North East to begin some leave. On the way we dropped in to see some old friends from Stockton Joe and Helen 60/60. It’s always great to catch up with good friends and so easy to forget how re-charging it is for the heart.

A lovely visit – long overdue!

The Glittering North at Raby Castle was the destination for 61/60. The event was a great spectacle of light displays, puppetry, music and tales of the Vikings.

The weather tried to dampen our spirits but the light displays in the Castle Gardens were amazing and the storytelling was too!

We also got to see some fire dancing and I had the opportunity to play kazoo with the Raby Quartet – an excellent band who mixed the vaudeville, Bonzo Dog sound with traditional Geordie and Mackem folk songs.

Week 37

A visit to Mum’s and a lovely Indian meal at Dhamaka on our way to task 62/60 which was a night on the beautiful Lindisfarne setting off early morning to catch the tide.

We spent the first day visiting the Priory, the church of St Mary the Virgin and having a wander around the island.

We finished off the day with a beautiful run in the sunset and a visit to the Crown and Anchor for fish and chips.

We stayed at the Lindisfarne Hotel for the night and, in the morning another beautiful run in the sunrise – what a beautiful place to run!

Before setting off from the Island we had Craster kippers for breakfast at the Manor House.

On the way home we called in to Kielder Forest 63/60 to explore one of the forest trails and have our first look at Kielder Water.

We had a good six mile walk on one of the Kielder trails before heading back to Lancaster.

Thursday saw the final day of RED October 64/60 where my challenge was to run every day in October.

Ninety miles and 31 days later – ALL DONE!

Really chuffed with that but knackered!

Saturday’s treat was a visit to Lancaster Castle to see the Music with the Mayor event with The Patterers 65/60 (Eleanor, Oliver and Sean)  a great night of folk music, storytelling and fun all presented in the old prison A wing.

The show told the story of the prisoners through original ballads and songs about execution, witch trails and local history.

Week 38

Task 66/60 was a vist to see Preston North End v Sunderland at Deepdale. A major crash on the motorway made the journey really difficult, a three hour journey from Lancaster – and the match wasn’t the best either – a 0-0 bore draw – good to be back at a Sunderland match though!

Thoughts go out to those involved in the accident – the football was far less important.

Week 39

Week 39 began with another scan – results due in a couple of weeks!

Read all the previous entries from Phil's '60 Before 60 Challenge' Diary

Positive news for Beyond Radio presenter in cancer battle as he continues 60 Before 60 Challenge - Beyond Radio

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

DIARY: Beyond Radio presenter Phil McGrath meets Elbow star Guy Garvey on his '60 Before 60 Challenge' - Beyond Radio

DIARY: Beyond Radio presenter fighting cancer continues his '60 Before 60' challenge - Beyond Radio

INTERVIEW: Beyond Radio presenter fighting cancer for third time takes on '60 before 60' challenge - Beyond Radio