Sara Cox Begins Five-Day BBC Children in Need Challenge
Radio 2’s Sara Cox started a five-day journey this morning from Kielder Forest, carrying a specially made Pudsey Bear backpack to reach Pudsey in Leeds by 14 November. This trek kicks off her Great Northern Marathon Challenge for BBC Children in Need.
Challenge Details and Route
Sara will cover 135 miles on foot across Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire. This is the longest-duration challenge ever undertaken by a Radio 2 presenter. She plans to walk or jog the entire route without any vehicle support, motivated by determination and "a generous helping of great northern grit."
Support and Start of the Challenge
Locals gathered at Kielder Forest Park to cheer her on. Stuart Todd from Morpeth Pipe Band played as she began, while Andrea Foote from Morpeth Riding for the Disabled Association sounded the horn to officially start the challenge.
“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.”
Her 270-gram Pudsey backpack is even equipped with a raincoat to handle the unpredictable northern weather. Later, speaking to Scott Mills on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, Sara shared her positive mood:
“People have turned up with banners and their dogs – it’s absolutely gorgeous actually.”
She added feeling “more relaxed than I have been for weeks” as she set off on the marathon trek.
Summary
Sara Cox embarks on a 135-mile, five-day marathon challenge from Kielder Forest to Pudsey for BBC Children in Need, embracing northern grit and strong local support.