Sara Cox begins five-day BBC Children in Need marathon challenge

Sara Cox Begins Five-Day BBC Children in Need Marathon Challenge

Radio 2’s Sara Cox started her Great Northern Marathon Challenge this morning at Kielder Forest. She will carry a specially designed Pudsey Bear backpack on foot all the way to Pudsey in Leeds by 14 November.

The journey covers 135 miles across four counties: Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire. Sara’s trek is the longest in duration ever undertaken for a Radio 2 challenge. She will rely solely on her own two feet, walking or jogging the route without any vehicle support, driven by determination and “a generous helping of great northern grit.”

Community Support and Start Ceremony

Locals gathered at Kielder Forest Park to cheer Sara on. Stuart Todd from Morpeth Pipe Band played as she began, while Andrea Foote from Morpeth Riding for the Disabled Association sounded the official horn to mark the start.

Speaking live on BBC Breakfast, Sara said: “I am going to be running when I can and then striding along. I may be occasionally stumbling, limping and weeping, but I’ll get my sorry self to Pudsey in Leeds on Friday.”

The 270-gram Pudsey backpack even features a rain mac to withstand the northern weather challenges.

Reflections During the Start

Later on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show with Scott Mills, Sara shared her feelings at the commencement:

“I feel more relaxed than I have been for weeks. People have turned up with banners and their dogs – it’s absolutely gorgeous actually.”

The five-day challenge highlights Sara’s endurance and spirit in support of BBC Children in Need.

Author’s summary: Sara Cox embarks on a 135-mile, five-day Marathon Challenge across northern England to raise funds for BBC Children in Need, inspiring many with her grit and community support.

OnTheRadio — 2025-11-10