Eddie Izzard Does 27 Marathons, Holding SA Flag All the Way

Comedian and actor Eddie Izzard on Sunday completed his last marathon of 27 across South Africa in 27 days – running two marathons on the last day to achieve his goal, and carrying a South African flag all the way – all for the sake of charity.

The Izzard marathon began on February 24 in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, and ended beneath a statue of Nelson Mandela at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. It was all in aid of the charity Sport Relief. (See video at end of story for the finish of his first marathon of the day.)

Watch this tribute to Izzard and the people he met along the way:

The 27 marathons were meant to reflect each year that Nelson Mandela was in prison. Standing in front of the Mandela statue, Izzard said, “I’m pleased I’ve done it. I’m extraordinarily tired.”

He praised his team, saying they were a “mixture of South Africans and Europeans…a mixed-up rainbow nation just like Nelson Mandela would have liked it.”

He said his days, his run and his route were inspired by Mandela.

“I ran through places where he lived his life…and ended up on the steps here, where he was made president…”

He said the things that got him through the 27 days were “determination and grit…which he (Mandela) used…”

Coinciding with Izzard’s marathon of marathons, Sport Relief was holding numerous other events in a fund-raising campaign around the world, and this weekend raised £55 million in one night.

Izzard said it was definitely more a mental challenge than a physical one, although at that point he then told one interviewer that while normally it was them that had to end the interview he needed to end the interview because he was just too tired and couldn’t stand anymore…”Gotta go sit down now”.

Watch Video: Eddie Izzard completing the first of two marathons on Day 27