An emotional Olly Murs broke down on Thursday as he completed day three of a gruelling five day endurance challenge to celebrate the 20th anniversary of UNICEF and Soccer Aid.
The singer has already raised an astonishing £260,000 after electing to run, row, and ride his bike from Manchester United’s Old Trafford to London Stadium with no clue what obstacles the route will throw his way each day.
But his emotions got the better of him as he crossed the finish line in Northamptonshire shortly before midnight and the advent of his 41st birthday on May 14.
Murs, whose efforts have resulted in him needing a toenail removed, was overwhelmed after fans gathered in the darkness to sing happy birthday as he completed his third day.
‘I put a brave face on it today. I felt like I needed to really,’ he said. ‘I needed to kind of hit it, I needed to kind of tackle it full on and there were times that I was really struggling but, you know, all the people that have come along today, I really appreciate it. It means a lot.
‘I feel bad I didn’t get a chance to see everyone and thank them personally but it really means a lot. I’m putting my body out there on the line and the donations really help so thank you.’
An emotional Olly Murs was broke down on Thursday as he completed day three of a gruelling five day endurance challenge to celebrate the 20th anniversary of UNICEF and Soccer Aid
With his route for day one revealed live on Heart Radio, Murs needed a toenail removed before he set off on foot from the wild heathland of Cannock Chase.
He then tackled the biggest ride of the challenge – over 100km through the centre of Lichfield, along an ancient Roman road and via a tough climb through Nuneaton.
Just past Warwickshire town Rugby, Murs ran in the dark to Nether Heyford to a crowd of supporters singing him an early ‘happy birthday’ in what was his latest finish.
The day was full of torrential rain and even an unexpected reroute to avoid a local fire but fellow Heart presenter, Emma Bunton, shared a good luck message to spur him on.
Last year’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF Challenger, Sam Thompson, also called to share some moral support.
‘I just want you to know how much I flipping respect you,’ he said. ‘I mean that from the bottom of my soul. I know what it’s like to put yourself – at 41 – in a position where you’ve had knee operations and you’re doing it all, I am in awe.’
Murs is tackling some of the UK’s toughest terrain as he runs, rows and rides his way from Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium, where Soccer Aid first kicked-off 20 years ago, to London Stadium, home of this year’s landmark match.
Jake Quickenden, who recently joined Murs for a run live on This Morning, said: ‘That was actually very tough. My legs are burning. It was all uphill. The weather was absolutely horrendous.
‘What Olly likes to do, I think, is he puts a smile on and pretends he’s alright but deep down he’s in the trenches. His shins are hurting him. His knees are hurting him. Hats off. The guy’s doing amazing.
‘What he’s doing for children all over the world. It’s going to help so many people. You can see he just wants to get as many donations in for these kids. It means the world to him.
The singer has already raised an astonishing £260,000 after electing to run, row, and ride his bike from Manchester United’s Old Trafford to London Stadium
But his emotions got the better of him as he crossed the finish line in Northamptonshire shortly before midnight and the advent of his 41st birthday on May 14
Murs, whose efforts have resulted in him needing a toenail removed, was overwhelmed after fans gathered to sing happy birthday as he completed his third day
‘I needed to kind of hit it, I needed to kind of tackle it full on and there were times that I was really struggling but, you know, all the people that have come along today, I really appreciate it. It means a lot’, Murs said
‘You can really feel that when you’re talking to him. Please donate – even a quid – it goes a long way so please get your donations in because this is no small feat.
He added: ‘It’s 400km. He’s not even halfway through it yet! His body’s breaking down and he’s struggling so those donations and finding out how much he’s raised is really going to drive him on.’
The singer, who first played at Soccer Aid for UNICEF in 2010, recently told the Daily Mail about how he has been juggling fatherhood on top of his work commitments and intense training plan.
He and his wife Amelia, who wed in 2023, share a son Albert, seven months, and daughter Madison, two.
The fitness fanatic said: ‘I’ve been doing a lot of training, but I love keeping fit anyway. I’ve just kind of enjoyed going out and running and cycling and getting out in the open and just keeping myself fit
Murs is tackling some of the UK’s toughest terrain as he runs, rows and rides his way from Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium, where Soccer Aid first kicked-off 20 years ago
With his route for day one revealed live on Heart Radio, Murs needed a toenail removed before he set off on foot from the wild heathland of Cannock Chase
Jake Quickenden, who recently joined Murs for a run live on This Morning, said: ‘That was actually very tough. My legs are burning. It was all uphill. The weather was horrendous’
‘I’ve definitely had to change it slightly because this is all about endurance and before I loved doing my weight training. I like doing boxing and a bit of CrossFit training.
‘I’m a morning person, so everything that I do, I try and arrange it around the kids. I try and help Amelia with getting the kids out of bed, getting them downstairs, getting their nappy changed and getting their breakfast ready.
‘And then around probably seven or eight o’clock, I’ll make sure that I eat something.
‘I’ve got a nutritionist in, a guy called Greg Marriott, who’s been helping me out. He is someone that I trust and someone who works with sports stars and and people in that field. He’s been helping me eat well and fuel my body right.
‘Then I’ll just go out and run and I don’t know how long for, I just kind of go out and see how I feel.’
Sharing an example of what his day to day looks like, Murs explained: ‘Today’s a heavy day for me. I’ve been up since six, working all morning and all day.
‘And then I’m still working tonight. Once the film crew finish around 6pm, I’ve got to put my kids to bed, and then I’ve got to cycle for an hour and then get on the treadmill and do 5K straight after.
‘So, you know, it’s no rest for the wicked at the moment. It’s quite a lot of work.’