Sara Cox begins Great Northern Marathon Challenge
After months of preparation, BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox from Little Lever, Bolton, has officially begun her ambitious Children in Need challenge. Over the next five days, she aims to complete the equivalent of five marathons, running a total of 135 miles across four counties.
A monumental effort for charity
The presenter announced her start on Instagram to her 545,000 followers, expressing excitement and a touch of nervousness before setting off from Kielder Forest toward Pudsey in Leeds. The run marks the beginning of what she calls her Great Northern Marathon Challenge.
“Welcome to the calm before the storm. I’m watching Countryfile, in Northumberland, having a lovely time. Tomorrow (Monday), I’ll start my epic Great Northern Marathon Challenge – 135 miles – from Kielder Forest all the way to Pudsey in Leeds.”
She thanked fans for their messages of encouragement, saying they gave her a real lift before the start.
Joining Radio 2 colleagues on air
Sara was scheduled to appear on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show alongside Scott Mills as the challenge kicked off at 8:15 a.m. She showed determination to push through despite battling a minor illness.
“I’ll be up super early, my knees will be a-knocking but I am going to give it as much welly as I can despite having a slight lurgy. Let’s do this and raise loads of money for Children in Need.”
Following in familiar footsteps
Cox joins fellow Boltonians and Radio 2 hosts Paddy McGuinness and Vernon Kay, who successfully completed similar challenges in recent years, raising millions for the same cause.
Author’s summary
Sara Cox has embarked on an extraordinary 135-mile, five-day running challenge across northern England to support Children in Need, showing grit and humor in equal measure.