Olly Murs has admitted he nearly quit on day two of his 400km endurance challenge for Soccer Aid, marking its 20th anniversary.
The singer and presenter is participating in the five-day Into The Unknown challenge. He aims to raise money for the children’s charity Unicef by running, cycling and rowing between Manchester and London.
Peak District Challenge
Murs took on 100km of the Peak District in Derbyshire. His route included pedalling through the Hope Valley, followed by a climb from Wye Dale over to the Tissington Trail.
He then walked off-road into Ashbourne and finished by rowing along the Trent and Mersey Canal.
Murs’s Reaction at the Finish Line
Murs described himself as “exhausted” after completing the day’s challenge. He said that earlier in the day, he considered quitting and returning to his hotel.
“Part of me wanted to quit earlier and say ‘I’m not doing it, I’m going back to the hotel’, but this is what it’s all about.”
He continued: “I’m going into the unknown. I’m doing it for Unicef. For the kids that are in difficult places and difficult situations. This money, I’ve seen, does amazing things.”
Murs added, “Every stroke in that canal I was thinking of those families, thinking of those kids. I was thinking of my own kids, my wife.”
Despite the difficulties, Murs affirmed his commitment: “I may be exhausted. It may be the most relentless day. But I will still get up tomorrow and do it all again.”
Fundraising Success
The challenge has already raised more than £152,000.
Murs’s Background
Murs, who is from Essex, gained fame on The X Factor. He later presented the show. He went on to have hits with songs like Troublemaker, Dance With Me Tonight and Up.
The singer-songwriter-turned-TV personality has also been a judge on The Voice and a player at Soccer Aid.
The challenge continues, with Murs set to “get up tomorrow and do it all again.”