This truly is a lunatic adventure. The story of an everyday, wise-cracking transvestite comedian, rising to one of the most incredible challenges in Sport Relief’s history, and in doing so attempting something truly extraordinary.
Eddie rose to the challenge and ran an astonishing 43 marathons for Sport Relief. Covering 1166 brutal miles around the United Kingdom. A marathon a day, 6 days a week, for 8 weeks.
Professional athletes would seriously struggle with this task, but for Eddie it seemed impossible. An unconditioned 47 year old, he had never run a timed marathon before and gave himself just 5 weeks to train. Ignoring the sceptics he set off from London followed by a small support team and a film crew on a motorised rickshaw – every moment of his challenge was recorded.
He was determined to run and would do it his way.
Trailed by his own bespoke ice cream van, and encouraging the nation to donate and run with him, on the way he met the weird and wonderful British public in the most unlikely of places. He performed an impromptu stand-up gig in the Lake District and dropped in on Sport Relief projects around Britain. We see intimate, personal moments of reflection as he visited places from his past that helped to shape the man we know today. From the old house in Wales, where his mother spent her last days, to Bangor where he had happy childhood memories of living in Northern Ireland.
Eddie’s body began crumbling just days into his challenge. Riddled with blisters and injuries, only stubborn determination carried him on. He suffered the loneliness of the long distance runner and struggled with severe weather conditions, dangerous roads and unforgiving terrain.
A heroic feat for Sport Relief, or the deranged scheme of a madcap comedian?
Executive Producer: Clive Tulloh
Series Producer / Director: Rob Farquhar
Main Talent: Eddie Izzard
Transmission Channel: BBC
Production Date: 09, February 2009
Transmission Date: 04, March 2010
Episodes: 4
Episode Length: 60
Series: 1
