Sara Cox is set to take on Radio 2’s longest-ever challenge this November for BBC Children in Need.
The Teatime Show host will complete five marathons in five days, covering 135 miles on foot from Kielder Forest on the Scottish border to Pudsey in Leeds, carrying a Pudsey Bear backpack along the way.
The Great Northern Marathon Challenge will run from Monday 10 November to Friday 14 November, taking Sara through Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. She will rely entirely on her own efforts, either running, jogging or walking across moorland, ridges and hills, before finishing in Pudsey on the Friday afternoon.
Sara said: “When they picked me to get Pudsey to Pudsey, I was honoured and horrified in equal measure – we’re talking 135 miles of hills, moors and blisters – but I am ready for the challenge, and I will absolutely be giving it everything I’ve got. Just like with Vernon and Paddy, I know the brilliant Radio 2 listeners will be with me every step of the way.”
Her fellow presenters will keep listeners updated live on air throughout the challenge, sharing support and encouragement. A BBC TV crew will also follow the journey for a behind-the-scenes documentary to air later in November.
Paddy McGuinness, who last year raised £10.3m with his cycling challenge, said: “I know exactly what Sara will be going through so I and the rest of the Radio 2 family will be supporting her every step of the way, especially up all those hills.”
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, said: “This is an extraordinarily tough five-day challenge that will test her endurance as she crosses stunning but demanding terrain to get Pudsey Bear to his home county of Yorkshire. I would like to thank Sara for taking on this mammoth journey.”
As part of the fundraising, Radio 2 will also host a Gala Performance of ABBA Voyage at the ABBA Arena in London on Sunday 9 November, presented by Scott Mills. The concert will include digital performances by ABBA alongside a live ten-piece band, with Scott warming up the crowd with a DJ set before the show begins at 1pm.
BBC Children in Need is encouraging the public to get involved by setting their own walking or running challenges, whether it is a mile at school or a weekend hike, to raise money for children and young people across the UK.
Sara’s challenge continues a long line of Radio 2 fundraisers for the appeal, including Paddy McGuinness’ Ultra Endurance Cycle in 2024, Vernon Kay’s Ultra Ultra Marathon in 2023, Scott Mills’ TreadMills Challenge in 2022 and Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Danceathon in 2021.