Olly Murs has admitted he “can’t fathom” his achievement after completing his 400km challenge for Soccer Aid for Unicef. To mark the 20th anniversary of the charity event, the singer undertook a gruelling five-day challenge, running, rowing, and riding from Manchester’s Old Trafford to London Stadium. Along the way, he faced emotional moments, pushed himself through tough terrain, and tested his endurance to the limit.
Exclusive Interview
Having raised more than £800,000, Olly opened up about his experience in an exclusive interview ahead of Sunday’s Soccer Aid match. He told The Daily Mirror: “I’m feeling good, I think I’m still in a bit of a bubble. I didn’t quite fathom what I’ve done, still. I’m just really proud that I did it.”
Ahead of an ITV documentary airing on Friday night, Olly continued: “That will be a chance for me to see it and go, bloody hell that was epic. I’m just really proud I’ve done it.”
Post-Challenge Indulgence
He went on to share that the first thing he did after finishing the challenge and seeing his children was having a McDonald’s, adding: “It tasted so good. I think people were shocked that I was in the queue to get it but it tasted great. It’s all I kept thinking about all week.”
Most Emotional Moment
Recalling the most emotional part of his challenge, he shared: “When my wife turned up, it’s weird, when you’re pushing your body to the absolute limit and really fighting through it everyday, any bit of positive, or anything lovely, you’re thinking of your wife and kids. So when they turned up out the blue like that, I wasn’t expecting it. She was at the forefront of my mind the whole time I was doing the challenge, and my kids, so when I saw her, I was [in tears], it was beautiful.”
Olly burst into tears at the end of his challenge on May 15, telling ITV’s This Morning: “I am in bits. That run from central London to here was so painful, but I just kept thinking, I gotta get to the end. Thank you to everyone. The donations have been amazing, and it surpassed my expectations how amazing this has been. To be given the opportunity from Soccer Aid, who have been an amazing part of my life, so to be able to do this and to raise that sort of money, I'm just really proud of myself and proud of the fact that Soccer Aid, still to this day, is such a huge charity that does so much with Unicef to help kids around the world, it's amazing.”
One-Time Challenge
When asked by The Daily Mirror if there was anything he could now do to beat this achievement, Olly replied: “No, that’s my only challenge I’m ever doing. I’ve done it for Soccer Aid and I’m proud of that.” He added: “Whoever gets the opportunity to do it next year and gets a chance to do this kind of challenge, it’s hard work but it’s a once in a lifetime thing to do and I’m really proud that I’ve done it.”
Olly Murs: Steps into the Unknown for Soccer Aid airs Friday at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Soccer Aid for Unicef takes place on Sunday, May 31.
