Eddie Izzard completes marathon challenge

Eddie Izzard starts his attempt to run 27 Marathons in 27 Days in South Africa for sport relief.

The 54-year-old, from Bexhill, needed to run a double marathon on Sunday in order to complete his challenge beneath a statue of Nelson Mandela, in Pretoria.

The 27 marathons were intended to reflect the 27 years Mr Mandela had spent in prison before becoming South Africa’s first black president.

Eddie’s feat of superhuman endurance raised more than £1.35m for the Sport Relief charity.

Over the 707-mile route, he battled through dehydration, heat exhaustion and sunstroke and was forced to take an unscheduled rest day on the fifth day of the challenge, which meant he had to complete two marathons on the final day.

Bexhill mayor Maurice Watson has congratulated Eddie on his ‘fantastic run’, adding: “You are a true spirit, Nelson Mandela would have been truly proud of you, your determination and motivation shone through, throughout your 27 days on the move.”

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