Daddy Pig has found time in his London Marathon training schedule to pose for a magazine cover shoot.
Peppa Pig’s dad has followed in the footsteps of Harry Styles and Sir Mo Farah and posed for the Runner’s World magazine.
Next month, the cartoon character will run the 26.2 mile course at the London Marathon to raise awareness and funds for the National Deaf Children’s Society, after his son George’s recent hearing loss diagnosis.
In a first for the beloved children’s show, Daddy Pig won’t just be running the marathon on screen in an upcoming episode; he’ll be doing it in real life too in a specially designed running costume.
Speaking to Runner’s World Daddy Pig explained how he’s balancing training with work and being a dad to Peppa, four, George, two and baby Evie.
‘Jumping in muddy puddles is actually fantastic cardio – no one realises that!’ Daddy Pig pointed out.
Daddy Pig has found time in his London Marathon training schedule to pose for a Runner’s World magazine cover
‘People focus on the mud that gets, well, everywhere… But yes, the balance takes teamwork.’
‘Luckily, Mummy Pig and I are a solid team. We’ve had to find some clever workarounds (I like a morning jog to the office now, and Peppa and George love simultaneous piggy backs), but where there’s a will (or an enthusiastic little pig called Peppa) there’s a way!’
Peppa has also helped her dad out with a running soundtrack, as he explained how they have ‘made a playlist called Daddy Pig’s Motivation Mix, which always does the job.’
‘Peppa even made her own song for it called Coach Peppa’s Exercise. That’ll get you moving, let me tell you! Otherwise, it’s bangers all the way: Pig Pony Club, Uptown Oink, No Piggity and Bitter Sweet Symph-oinky are always winners.’
And of course the whole family will be there on the day to cheer Daddy Pig on.
‘They’ve been mapping out where they’re going to watch from, so they can wave and cheer me and the other runners on’ Daddy Pig gushed. ‘It’s going to be great.’
‘They’ve also had some creative ideas to help me fundraise. At one point, Peppa was sure she was going to do a ‘sponsored loudness’ – which is exactly what it sounds like, the opposite of a sponsored silence. Thankfully we found other ways to fundraise together.’
As well as inspiring his children, Daddy Pig is also hoping to raise funds and awareness for the National Deaf Children’s Society, running alongside 50 other runners as part of a team.
Peppa Pig’s dad has followed in the footsteps of Harry Styles and Sir Mo Farah and posed for the Runner’s World magazine
Next month the cartoon character will run the 26.2 mile course at the London Marathon to raise awareness and funds for the National Deaf Children’s Society
The NDCS has ‘provided so much wonderful advice and support since we found out that George is moderately deaf in one ear,’ Daddy Pig gushed, adding that ‘this felt like the perfect way to give back and show our appreciation!’
It was announced last month that a powerful upcoming storyline in the beloved kids’ show will see Peppa’s little brother diagnosed as moderately deaf.
A new episode sees George attend an audiology appointment during a routine doctor’s visit, where his family learns he has moderate hearing loss in one ear.
He is then fitted with a hearing aid, allowing him to experience sounds in a new way, with the marathon episode continuing to promote the message of inclusive storytelling.
The full interview with Daddy Pig can be read in the May issue of Runner’s World UK, on sale from 1 April. The new Peppa Pig episode featuring Daddy Pig’s marathon efforts will air on Milkshake from April 18.
