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 journey from Kielder Forest this morning, embarking on a five-day challenge to carry a specially made Pudsey Bear backpack all the way to Pudsey in Leeds by 14 November. This trek marks the beginning of her Great Northern Marathon Challenge for BBC Children in Need.

Details of the Journey

The route covers 135 miles on foot across four counties: Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire. Sara’s challenge is the longest in duration ever attempted by any Radio 2 presenter. She will rely solely on walking or jogging, without the use of any vehicles, driven by determination and what she described as “a generous helping of great northern grit.”

Support at the Start

Locals gathered at Kielder Forest Park to cheer Sara on as she began. Stuart Todd from Morpeth Pipe Band played music for the occasion, while Andrea Foote from Morpeth Riding for the Disabled Association officially marked the start by blowing a horn.

Sara Cox’s Comments

“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.”

She also mentioned that the 270-gram Pudsey backpack was fitted with a rain mac to cope with the northern weather challenges. Later, speaking with Scott Mills on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, Sara said she felt “more relaxed than I have been for weeks” after setting off. “People have turned up with banners and their dogs – it’s absolutely gorgeous actually.”

Summary

Sara Cox’s determined walk from Kielder Forest to Pudsey is a heartfelt and physically demanding fundraiser celebrating community spirit and endurance for BBC Children in Need.

Would you prefer the summary to be more formal or more conversational?

OnTheRadio — 2025-11-10