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Sara Cox has been completing a five day marathon (Image: BBC)
BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox has been attempting to complete the equivalent of five marathons in five days in a bid to raise money for Children in Need.
The TV star is running 135 miles in five days, which has raised more than £4 million. Cox will be ending her arduous journey in Pudsey, Leeds, after starting in Kielder Forest and travelling through Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.
Speaking of her charitable efforts, Sara said: “Everybody just giving a fiver or a tenner did it, that is amazing. Thank you so much. Thanks to everybody who has donated, you’re absolutely awesome.”
She added: “We are not women of a certain vintage, we are not women of a certain age, we are women over 50,” she said. “It’s just the beginning when you get to 50, I’m loving being 50.”
KEY EVENTS
A whopping £6million hit12:32
Frankie Collins
Emotional scenes as Sara Cox celebrates with family after finishing 135-mile challenge
What a moment. Sara Cox has completed Sara’s Great Northern Marathon Challenge, and the atmosphere at the finish line is overwhelming. She’s celebrated with her husband Ben and their children, punching the air in triumph as crowds around her break down in tears.
Here are the first pictures of fans greeting her as she crosses the line.
She’s done it (Image: bbc)
crowds greeted Sara (Image: bbc)
Frankie Collins
Sara’s first words after crossing the finish line
“I can’t believe it, oh my gosh. That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Sara Cox said moments after completing her 135-mile challenge. Still breathless and emotional, she added: “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it, I can’t believe it… HELLO YORKSHIRE! I’m an honorary Yorkshire woman now!”
Frankie Collins
She’s done it! Sara Cox completes all 135 miles
BREAKING: Sara Cox has officially crossed the finish line after five gruelling days on foot, completing her epic 135-mile Children in Need Great Northern Marathon challenge. An unbelievable achievement in brutal weather — huge congratulations, Sara!
Stay with us for the first reactions from Pudsey and Sara’s own words as she catches her breath after this history-making effort.
Frankie Collins
Sara Cox minutes away from completing her 135-mile Children in Need run
She’s almost there! After five days, brutal weather and unbelievable endurance, Sara Cox is about to cross the finish line of her mammoth 135-mile challenge. You can watch the incredible moment live right here
She’s almost there! (Image: bbc)
Frankie Collins
Expert says Sara’s biggest battle is mental, not physical
Running influencer Hugo Fry says Sara Cox’s toughest fight isn’t the weather or the miles — it’s her mind. “Your body isn’t built for these crazy challenges… success comes down to how willing you are to suffer,” he explained, adding that even elite ultra-runners hit breaking point.
He referenced Courtney Dauwalter’s famous “pain cave” technique — a mental space she “chisels bigger” when things get brutal. As Sara enters the hardest stretch of her 135-mile Children in Need run, Fry says her mental resilience will decide everything. We’re rooting for you, Sara!
Frankie Collins
Sara Cox battles brutal weather on final stretch of 135-mile run
It’s absolutely miserable out there — freezing, wet, and windy — yet Sara Cox is still pushing through the final miles of her 135-mile Children in Need challenge. Now on day five of nonstop running, she’s powering through conditions most of us wouldn’t last five minutes in.
She’s already raised over £6 million, with a warm dry robe waiting at the finish line… and hopefully a huge final total too.
Sasha Morris
Near the finish line
Sara is swiftly approaching the finish line. The BBC tracker shows that she is nearing her endpoint in Pudsey, Bradford, with reporters waiting to meet her at the finish line live on BBC Radio 2.
Sasha Morris
How to watch Children in Need
The Children In Need telethon starts on BBC iPlayer and BBC One at 7pm on Friday November 14th.
It will be hosted by big stars such as Paddy McGuinness, Big Zuu, Mel Giedroyc, Rochelle Humes, Vernon Kay and Lenny Rush. There is also set to be live performances from the likes of McFly singer Tom Fletcher and Eurovision 2025 girl band Remember Monday.
There will also be comedy sketches from BBC favourites including The Apprentice, EastEnders and Gladiators.
Rebecca Jones
Keep going, Sara
Sara has said she is “feeling sick” as she approaches the finish line.
Talking on the journey, she said: “I feel sick, they’re trying to get food in me but my body is doing something weird.
“I’m going to try and push on. Everyone has been amazing, thank you so much.”
“I’m in a lot of pain, my shins and my ankles are battered and swollen. But thank you to everyone who has donated, it has really boosted me up when we hit the £6m mark.
“Thank you so much.”
She added: “The support in general has been incredible. The lorry drivers, the farmers, so many dogs on route.”
Rebecca Jones
Near the end
Sara is in her final 20km of her journey, and is expected to finish soon. She will be ending her journey in Pudsey.
Rebecca Jones
Rough conditions
The weather doesn’t appear to be clearing up anytime soon. You’ve got this, Sara!
Sasha Morris
So close!
Sara Cox is in the final five miles of her marathon, according to the Children in Need tracker.
Sasha Morris
Sara surprised by friends
Three of Sara’s old friends have surprised her on her journey as they shared their support.
They told BBC: “We are so proud of her it’s unbelievable. We’re really nervous to see her because, apparently, she’s completely broken. She’s really in lots of pain.
“Sara is so impressive as a friend, so we’ve all been best mates for 25 years. She is so impressive, she is strong, she’s formidable in every day life. She’s a complete warrior, she’s also genuinely one of the kindest, funniest and most generous people you will ever meet. And this week we’ve been in so much awe of her. She’s not just done an amazing feat and raised so much money, she’s broken down barriers, she’s reminded us that this country is just full of really great and kind people, and it’s just been so uplifting. She is amazing, the Radio 2 listeners – they have done her so proud.”
Sasha Morris
Sara getting physio support
Sara has stopped to receive physio treatment and a break as she makes her final push to the finish line. BBC Radio 2 are hoping to hear from her soon.
Sasha Morris
Near the end!
The Children in Need tracker has shared that Sara has passed through Bramhope, nearly approaching Horsforth, which means she is very close to the finish line.
Sasha Morris
Huge donation
Sir Rod Stewart has also given Children in Need a huge donation in support of Sara Cox.
BBC Radio 2 shared on Instagram: “Sir Rod Stewart makes an incredibly generous donation for Sara’s Great Northern Marathon Challenge for Children in Need.”
Sasha Morris
Rod Stewart’s sweet words
Rod Stewart was one of the big stars supporting Sara’s endeavour, as he shared a message of support, saying: “Hi Sara Cox, it’s Rod Stewart here just doing his workout. Good luck darling. Keep going. You’re an absolute hero and you really are. Keep right on until the end of the road. Well done sweetheart.”
Sasha Morris
Sara’s emotional reaction
Gary Davies, who is covering for Vernon Kay on BBC Radio 2, told Sara Cox on air that her Children in Need Challenge total has now surpassed £6 million, reaching £6,045,049.
Sara said: “Wow, thank you so much. That’s incredible. That’s such a big leap. Thank you so much. Six million quid, that is incredible. Gosh, that’s really going to power me on, that is going to spur me right on, thank you so much for every penny. Thank you.”
Sasha Morris
A whopping £6million hit
Sara Cox has raised over £6million for Children in Need after her incredible marathon efforts this week.
BBC Radio 2 confirmed the news as they penned: “Absolutely phenomenal!! Keep pushing, Sara.”
Sasha Morris
Sara Cox surprised by brother
Sara Cox was surprised by her brother as the pair had an emotioal reunion during the last push of her marathon.
Watch the video below.
Sasha Morris
Sara’s emotional message to children
During her run, Sara sent a message to her children, saying: “Can I just tell my kids that I’m okay? Because they’re going to be listening and freaking out. Tell Isaac, Renee and Lola that I’m okay. And that I’ll see them later.”
Sasha Morris
Scott’s emotional message
Sara Cox’s friend Scott Mills issued a worried statement just before it was revealed she’d raised £5million.
He said on air: “It’s got to that point now where she can’t brave-face it anymore. Every time you speak to her, the emotion is so much. She can’t hold it in.”
Sasha Morris
Sara Cox breaks down
An exhausted Sara Cox broke down as she learned the news that she had hit the incredible £5million mark, thanks to her efforts this week.
Sara broke down as she hit £5million (Image: Instagram )
Sasha Morris
Gruelling numbers
The BBC compiled the brutal numbers Sara has faced this week all in the name of charity:
Number of miles travelled: almost 135 Number of days on the road: 5 Number of counties visited: 4 Number of hours Sara has slept: not many Number of alpaca supporters: 2 Number of school sing-a-longs: 2 (so far) Number of pounds raised: more than 5 million
Rebecca Jones
Singing in support
A group called The Singing Striders will be on BBC Radio 2 today, supporting Sara on her final day of the challenge.
Member Janet Murray said the group will also be on the Jeremy Vine Show from 12.25 pm, helping Sara “power through the wall in the final part of her gruelling challenge”.
Rebecca Jones
Tears and triumph
Sara has been pictured looking very emotional and tired during the gruelling challenge…
The star sobbed while taking a call (Image: PA)
Sara got emotional during a phone call on the hike (Image: PA)
Rebecca Jones
She’s into the millions
One person shared: “Just to point out that Sara Cox has raised £5million for @BBCCiN WITHOUT having any of her total matched (yet?) by that rich millionaire who matched part of both Vernon and Paddy’s totals previously.”
Rebecca Jones
An incredible achievement
Taking to X, a fan wrote: “Sara Cox has made nearly a million pounds in the space of a few hours. What the b**dy hell? From 4.1 million to just over 5 million now. That is incredible! Well done, Sara. Feel humbled to have done my bit yesterday by donating to @BBCCiN.”
Rebecca Jones
Emotions run high
Sara’s been cheered on by hundreds of well-wishers, and presenter Jeremy Vine joined her for a part of the journey.
Rebecca Jones
When’s Children In Need on?
The BBC’s annual Children In Need telethon starts on BBC iPlayer and BBC One at 7pm tonight.
The evening, hosted by Paddy McGuinness, Big Zuu, Mel Giedroyc, Rochelle Humes, Vernon Kay and Lenny Rush, will see performances from the likes of McFly singer Tom Fletcher and girl band Remember Monday, alongside sketches from BBC favourites including The Apprentice, EastEnders and Gladiators.
Rebecca Jones
Supporters cheer her on
Fans have been sharing sweet messages on X for Sara, with one writing: “@BBCRadio2 big shout out to Sara Cox, terrible conditions, go girl, carpe Diem.”
Another said: “Well done to Radio 2’s Sara Cox, you’re doing amazingly, keep doing what you’re doing, beautiful lady.”
Sasha Morris
Sara has set off
Sara’s final day started when it was still dark as she was greeted by a cheering crowd.
Speaking on Friday morning, Sara admitted she was feeling “sick” with adrenaline and nerves.
She said: “I’ve not got much left in the tank. I’ve still got such a long way to go. It is dark and it is raining. The rain is going to be relentless today. My toes are like little cocktail sausages.
“It’s so cold – I don’t want to go out there… I feel sick. I think it’s the adrenaline and nerves.”
Sasha Morris
Weather woes for Sara
Sara Cox is set for a tricky last day of her challenge as Storm Claudia is set to bring heavy rain to parts of the UK on Friday. An amber weather warning has been issued by the Met Office.
Sasha Morris
Prince William sends message
Speaking on Radio 1 star Scott Mills’ show, Prince William told Sara Cox: “Sara, massive congratulations for what you’re doing.
“You’re so nearly there, just a little bit further, and I know the people of Pudsey will all come out and welcome you with huge open arms, big hugs, and hopefully, lots of your favourite crumpets.
“Keep going, you’ve done fantastically well, and the nation’s so proud of you.”
