Anybody taking on this weekend's Marathon March in aid of the Palace for Life Foundation is, of course, a Crystal Palace legend.
But some faces making the 26.2 mile walk around the sites and scenes of south London might be more recognisable to the Eagles' supporter base than others.
And you’re not taking one of the over-200 participants making the Marathon March this year, you can still support our Marchers with a donation, helping the Foundation to reach thousands more south Londoners in need.
For now, let's find out which big names are marching the March...
Having captained his side at the 'Palace Aid' charity match in August, making the Marathon March for a fourth time will be legendary former Palace striker – and England international and part-time imaginary burger-eater – Andrew Johnson!
The forward’s clever running and predatory finishing saw him bag 32 times in the 2003/04 season as Palace gained promotion from the Championship, before a further 22 goals in his debut Premier League campaign led to the first of eight caps for the Three Lions.
A two-time Player of the Season, Johnson is a Palace ambassador and a fervent supporter of the Palace for Life Foundation.
On taking part this year, Johnson said: "The Marathon March is such a good day out and helps the Foundation reach even more people who need their help.
"I’d highly recommend anyone thinking about doing it to give it a go – it’s definitely a tough challenge, but it’s also a great chance to make new friends, chat about Palace, and do something really positive for south London.”
When Andrew Johnson is involved, expect entertainment.
One of Palace’s best ever strikers, Bright enjoyed a prolific six years in south London, his goals firing the Eagles to the top-flight in 1989, an FA Cup final in 1990 and the Full Members' Cup triumph at Wembley in 1991. He won Palace Player of the Year in 1990.
Upon retirement he moved into broadcasting, most notably with the BBC, and then joined Palace’s Academy where he coached young talents before moving into his current role overseeing the club’s loanees in the Football League.
Bright has been a long-standing supporter of Palace for Life Foundation. Not only has he walked the Marathon March on all six previous occasions, in 2020 he also took on the 2.6 challenge and, in 2021, captained one of their Race Europe squads which raised over £6,000.
Bright said: "I’m buzzing to be back for my seventh Marathon March! I’ve already walked more than 150 miles in support of the Foundation, and it’s been brilliant meeting so many Palace fans along the way. It’s always such an inspiration hearing about their love for the club and the local community.
"It’ll be a proud day for any Palace fan, as we come together to raise vital money for Palace for Life.”
Actor, comedian, Palace for Life Patron and long-time Eagles supporter Eddie Izzard will once again be taking on the Marathon March this year – this time from right across the world in the City of Angels, Los Angeles!
Izzard has been a Palace supporter since seeing her first game with her brother back in 1969, stepping across the road from her auntie’s house on Whitehorse Lane.
She has been supporting Palace for Life for many years now and will be taking on her fifth Marathon March this weekend.
In 2021 Eddie completed the March all the way over in Toronto, Canada and in 2022 she completed it slightly closer to home – 150 miles away in Sheffield.
This year, despite work commitments, she’s taking the Palace spirit global again by accepting the challenge 4,500 miles away in Los Angeles, and in an impressive spirit of solidarity, Eddie will be starting the March at midnight to account for the eight-hour time difference between LA and south London.
On taking part in her fifth March, Eddie said: “I am very happy to be able to do a marathon each year, to be able do my bit to help kids in South London. I think it would make my auntie Bea very happy as well. She lived at 177 Whitehorse Lane, was my mum’s older sister and was often like a surrogate mother to my mum.
"Mum died when me and my brother were very young, so auntie Bea and Whitehorse Lane meant a lot to us.”
Growing up in south London has never been tougher, but the Palace for Life Foundation are in a unique position to drive positive change.
The Foundation use the power of sport to change the lives of young people within our community, particularly the most hard-to-reach and hard-to-help. They work in schools and the community, with extra focus on those not in education, training or employment, those caught up in the criminal justice system and those with disabilities, physical and mental health challenges.
South London is a diverse community with hundreds of thousands of talented young people who, given the right opportunities, will contribute so much to the future of our city. Your donations will directly support our work and make a real impact, for real people.
You can read about some the impact we’ve had in the last year in Palace for Life's brand new annual brochure.
Thank you.
