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 five-day journey from Kielder Forest this morning, carrying a specially designed Pudsey Bear backpack on a trek to Pudsey in Leeds. The challenge is part of the Great Northern Marathon for BBC Children in Need and will end on 14 November.

Covering 135 miles on foot across four counties—Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire—Sara’s walk is the longest Radio 2 challenge to date. She plans to walk or jog the entire route without any vehicle support, driven by determination and what she described as “a generous helping of great northern grit.”

Community Support at the Start

Locals gathered at Kielder Forest Park to cheer Sara on. Stuart Todd from Morpeth Pipe Band played as she began, and Andrea Foote from Morpeth Riding for the Disabled Association sounded the official horn to mark the start.

Statements from Sara Cox

“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 mentioned that the lightweight 270-gram Pudsey backpack is equipped with a rain mac to withstand northern England’s weather.

Feelings on the Journey Start

Talking to Scott Mills on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, Sara said she felt “more relaxed than I have been for weeks” as she began.

She also shared her joy at the community’s response: “People have turned up with banners and their dogs – it’s absolutely gorgeous actually.”

Author's summary: Sara Cox embarks on a challenging 135-mile charity walk across northern England, fueled by determination and warmly supported by local communities.

OnTheRadio — 2025-11-10