'Exhausted' Izzard completes 43-marathon challenge

Comedian Eddie Izzard was celebrating today after finishing his 43rd marathon in 51 days.

The 47-year-old looked exhausted but exhilarated as he completed his mega-marathon in aid of Sports Relief.

In a Rocky-esque moment, he climbed the steps in front of the National Gallery, lifted his hands in the air, and said: "I... feel... exhausted."

Izzard, who is better known for his surrealist sense of humour than his athletic prowess, covered more than 1,100 miles, completing a marathon almost every day in just over seven weeks.

He has already raised more than £200,000 for his efforts.

Drenched in rain and sweat, Izzard was cheered to the finish by hundreds of supporters.

He said: "I feel dead."

The comedian was aiming to finish on a sub-five-hour marathon but missed his target by just 30 seconds.

It was nevertheless a personal best, achieved despite blisters and toenails which had fallen off.

"Being here is very nice," he said. "When I left here seven and a half weeks ago there was nobody here, it was just a cold morning.

"The worst part of the whole experience was the last three minutes sprinting down The Mall, that was really tough."

Asked about his physical condition he said: "Everyone says my legs look very good but I thought they looked quite good beforehand.

"The small toes have lost their nails and they look like alien monsters but I'm told they will grow back.

"I'm going to have a party somewhere that's dry and then I'm going to sleep for a week."

He said his mind was okay but "a bit fuddled".

Asked how his achievements ranked, Izzard, a double Emmy award-winning comedian who has toured all over the world, said: "It's got to be right up there. This wasn't supposed to be on my list of things to do."

He said one of the highlights was being joined by other runners, who have included Denise Van Outen, Frank Skinner, Steve Cram and Allison Curbishley.

He added: "I don't think what I did is that amazing, anyone can do it."

Izzard did just five weeks' training for the event, which saw him run across the UK.

* Anyone wishing to sponsor Izzard for his run can log on to www.comicrelief.com/donate/eddie