- Comedian Eddie Izzard has completed her latest marathon challenge: running 32 marathons in 31 days, as part of her ‘Make Humanity Great Again’ campaign.
- Actor George Clooney joined Izzard for the final miles of her 32nd marathon.
- Last Sunday, her 24th marathon had a dramatic ending when people tried to enter the Covid-secure room in the last few seconds of the treadmill marathon.
Actor George Clooney joined Eddie Izzard for the final minutes of her 32nd marathon on Sunday. The comedian has raised more than £280,000 for charity over the past month.
As he supported Izzard across the line, Clooney urged everyone to ' hang tight! Wear a mask, stay distanced, we're almost there.'
Speaking from her treadmill after the double marathon, Izzard thanked everyone for their support. 'I'm very honoured for you guys to have backed me, thank you so much, anyone who has come on, we've been speaking to some wonderful people, but above all to the people who have donated,' she said.
Gatecrasher interruption
Eddie Izzard's 24th consecutive daily marathon had an added element of drama last Sunday as people tried to enter the Covid-secure room in the final seconds of her run.
In the footage, shared on Twitter, Izzard can be heard saying 'No, no, no; you can't come in, you can't come in, sorry! You can't come in, you can't come in, it's Covid safe', while still continuing to finish her marathon.
She went on to say 'Please, please you have to go I am sorry. Do not, do not, do not, it is Covid-safe go out, please go out, it is Covid-safe, please stay out.'
Eddie, who had been speaking to radio host Chris Moyles during her run explained that two people tried to enter the room as the door was open to let some air in as she ran.
Izzard’s ‘Make Humanity Great Again’ campaign raises money for charities supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable people.
Each of the marathons took the ‘theme’ of a different city – a nod to Izzard’s past challenges, which have seen her run marathons in various international locations. Last February, Izzard ran 29 marathons in 29 days, one in each European capital, plus a final extra one back in London. She raised £140,000.
She also ran 27 marathons in 27 days across South Africa in 2016 and 43 marathons in 51 days in 2009.
On the campaign’s crowdfunding page, Izzard wrote: ‘Make Humanity Great Again stands for unity, the sharing of beliefs and the power of human beings uniting across the continents and around the world.
‘As a campaign, it seeks to promote a fair chance in life for all, particularly those who experience disadvantage and discrimination.’
And speaking after the challenge had launched she said: 'There is too much talk of division in the world. Too much talk designed to pull us apart. In my life I try to look for the opposite - to look for what brings us together, which helps make us all stronger.
'Working together feeds the spirit that can restore the greatness to humanity. Make Humanity Great Again speaks to people who believe there is more goodwill than ill-will in the world, who believe in the positive qualities of humanity and in the Golden Rule - to treat other people the way you would like to be treated yourself.'
Running brand Mizuno is kit sponsor for Eddie's challenge (she's wearing the Wave Rider 24 shoes in case you're wondering) and has created kit for her which features a special Make Humanity Great Again logo.
Mizuno UK Marketing Manager Graham Johnson said:
'The partnership with Eddie provides an ideal platform for Mizuno to demonstrate its global corporate philosophy of "Contributing to society through the advancement of sporting goods and the promotion of sports." In taking on the challenge of running 31 marathons in 31 days on a treadmill, Eddie is committing to an extraordinary feat which will test Eddie’s physical and psychological powers to the maximum.'
View the the ‘Make Humanity Great Again’ trailer here:
Donate to Izzard’s campaign here.
