Eddie Izzard finishes 700-mile Sport Relief challenge of 27 marathons in 27 days – Daily Mail

Comedian Eddie Izzard has today completed his amazing 700-mile Sport Relief challenge and described running 27 marathons in 27 days as the ‘hardest thing he’s ever done’.

The 54-year-old finished his gruelling challenge under a giant statue of Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa, this afternoon after completing a whopping two marathons in one day.

After crossing the line to cheers, applause and chants of ‘Eddie, Eddie, Eddie’, the comic swigged champagne from the bottle in celebration at completing the 707-mile challenge in blistering heat.

Scroll down for video 

Comedian Eddie Izzard, 54, finished his gruelling 27 marathon challenge under a giant statue of Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa, today and described it as the ‘hardest thing he’s ever done’

After crossing the line to cheers, applause and chants of ‘Eddie, Eddie, Eddie’, the 54-year-old comedian swigged champagne from the bottle in celebration at completing the 707-mile challenge in blistering heat

At the finish line, he said: ‘It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I’m very tired.

‘Thank you to everyone who has donated. This was tough so don’t do this at home.’

Over the last 27 days, he has completed a staggering 27 marathons and battled dehydration, heat exhaustion and sunstroke.

He 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.

Following medical advice, he took breaks between the peak heat of 11.30am and 3.30pm and had a hydration strategy in place while he was running.

The actor attempted the same feat in 2012 but was forced to stop due to health issues after marathon number four.

Speaking today outside the Union Buildings in Pretoria where Mandela gave his inaugural speech as the first democratically elected president of South Africa in 1994, Izzard said: ‘This has been a long project but with the help of ‘Team 27’ I did it. Thank you so much to everyone who donated.

‘I always knew I’d be back. When I didn’t make it in 2012 I knew I’d be back. I can’t stand upright, I have a huge blister and I’m exhausted. But I’m delighted.’

He also thanked everyone for their support after raising more than £1million for Sport Relief – which helps support disadvantaged people in the UK and across the world.

The latest trek follows his 2009 challenge when he completed 43 marathons in 51 days across the UK to raise more than £1.8 million for the same cause.

Izzard is pictured beneath a statue of former president Nelson Mandela at the government’s Union Buildings in Pretoria after completing the gruelling challenge. He has so far raised more than £1million for Sport Relief

Izzard grips a bottle of water as he addresses media reporters beneath a statue of Nelson Mandela in Pretoria

Kevin Cahill, Comic Relief’s chief executive, said: ‘Eddie is undoubtedly one of our Sport Relief legends, and we are absolutely thrilled that he is going to push himself to the physical limit once again.

‘What he did for Sport Relief last time was truly astonishing and raised a staggering amount of money that has really helped to transform lives at home and across the world.

‘We are beyond grateful for his continued support and will be with him every step of the way.’

Izzard chose 27 marathons to reflect the 27 years that Nelson Mandela spent in prison.

Izzard is seen taking part in his 25th marathon in Cape Town. Following medical advice, he took breaks between the peak heat of 11.30am and 3.30pm and had a hydration strategy in place while he was running

His route traced the story of Mandela’s life, starting on February 23 at Mbashe Bridge near Mandela’s birth town of Mvezo and finishing today at the Union Building in Pretoria, where Mandela was sworn in and gave his first speech as President.

Throughout his journey, he explored the history of South Africa and Mandela; and visited communities, organisations and families that have all been helped by the work of Comic Relief.

To sponsor his achievement, visit sportrelief.com/SponsorEddie

Izzard holds a South African flag at the foot of Table mountain in Cape Town after completing his 24th marathon

Throughout his journey, Izzard explored the history of South Africa and Mandela and visited communities, organisations and families that have all been helped by the work of Comic Relief. He is pictured on Day 25