Sara Cox is met with alpacas and a bagpiper ahead of 135-mile marathon

Sara Cox Begins 135-Mile Great Northern Marathon Challenge

Sara Cox started the demanding 135-mile Great Northern Marathon Challenge on Monday morning from Kielder Forest. This event is Radio 2's longest-ever BBC Children In Need Challenge, planned to last five days.

Unique Support at the Start and Along the Route

The 50-year-old star was cheered on by locals and some unusual supporters. At the starting line, a local bagpiper encouraged her, and upon reaching Northumberland, she was greeted by alpacas.

Sara Cox’s Thoughts Before the Challenge

"I'm feeling good. I'm feeling more relaxed than I have been for weeks because I've been so nervous in the buildup but now we are actually here and we're going to do it, I feel good thanks... I mean the rain is not great. There's a lot of heavy drizzle, it has paused momentarily but my toes are already soggy."

The Mission and Equipment

After months of intense training, Sara left carrying a lightweight Pudsey Bear backpack weighing just 270 grams. Her goal is to bring Pudsey, BBC Children In Need’s iconic mascot, from the border to Pudsey in Leeds by Friday, making a symbolic journey from the north to the heartland.

Author's summary: Sara Cox kicks off a challenging 135-mile marathon supporting BBC Children In Need, symbolically carrying the Pudsey mascot across northern England amid unique local encouragement and tough weather.

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Daily Mail Daily Mail — 2025-11-10

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