Sara Cox Begins BBC Children in Need Marathon Challenge
Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox set off from Kielder Forest this morning, launching a five-day challenge to carry a custom-made Pudsey Bear backpack all the way to Pudsey in Leeds by 14 November. This marks the beginning of her Great Northern Marathon Challenge for BBC Children in Need.
Covering 135 miles on foot through Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire, Sara’s trek is the longest in duration of any Radio 2 challenge. Traveling entirely on foot, she plans to walk and jog the route without any vehicles, fuelled by determination and, as she said, “a generous helping of great northern grit.”
Supporters gathered at Kielder Forest Park to cheer her on. Stuart Todd from the Morpeth Pipe Band played as she departed, while Andrea Foote from the Morpeth Riding for the Disabled Association officially signaled the start with a horn blast.
“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 270-gram Pudsey backpack even had its own rain mac to keep up with northern weather. Later, speaking to Scott Mills on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, Sara said she felt “more relaxed than I have been for weeks” as she set off, adding that locals with banners and dogs made the moment “absolutely gorgeous.”
Author’s Summary
Sara Cox kicked off a 135-mile trek for BBC Children in Need, carrying Pudsey Bear from Kielder Forest to Leeds, supported by fans and her trademark northern grit.
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