On Monday morning, Sara Cox started the demanding 135-mile Great Northern Marathon Challenge from Kielder Forest. This is Radio 2's longest-ever BBC Children In Need Challenge, designed to take approximately five days.
At the starting line, Sara, aged 50, received encouragement from a local bagpiper. Later, upon reaching Northumberland, she was greeted by a group of alpacas, offering a distinctive and heartwarming welcome.
"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."
After months of rigorous training, Sara set off carrying a Pudsey Bear backpack weighing just 270 grams. The goal is to carry BBC Children In Need's mascot from the border at Kielder Forest to Pudsey in Leeds by Friday, symbolizing a meaningful journey from edge to heartland.
This challenge marks a significant effort by Sara and highlights her dedication to BBC Children In Need, combining physical endurance with charitable spirit.
Would you like the summary to be more formal or casual?