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Brit Stand-Up Runs 43 Marathons in 52 Days

Eddie Izzard 'beyond exhaustion' after 1,100 mile charity challenge

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 15, 2009 7:09 AM CDT

(Newser) – Eddie Izzard had never run more than 5 miles in his life before this summer but he'll be aiming for the finish line in his 43rd marathon today, the Guardian reports. The stand-up comedian, 47 years old and better known for wearing high heels and make-up than for running, took up the challenge of running nearly a marathon a day for the Sport Relief charity seven weeks ago and will have run more than 1,000 miles by the time he gets to London's Trafalgar Square today.

Izzard—who now calls himself an "action transvestite"—says it's been a great adventure, but he's now "beyond exhaustion." "If you imagine you drive in a tiny Mini across a wasteland where there is no petrol station and the petrol gauge is always on empty, that is me," he says. "I put a little in every night and the needle moves and then the next day I'm below empty again. I am falling asleep when I'm talking to people." Izzard plans to follow up his 43-marathon feat with a 44-concert tour.

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

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British actor and comedian Eddie Izzard arrives at the National Film awards in London last fall. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Eddie Izzard arrives at the 13th Annual Critic's Choice Awards in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/ Matt Sayles, File)

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A video diary from Izzard's 43-marathon mega-marathon. (BBC)

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When we were hunters we used to hunt this way, so everybody should be able to do this. But at the end I just spear a Twix and have a Diet Coke. - Eddie Izzard

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Brit Stand-Up Runs 43 Marathons in 52 Days