Sarah Cox is the latest BBC star to take part in a charity endurance challenge for children in need. The radio and television presenter will travel 135 miles on it. Great Challenge of the Northern Marathon – we follow her route and how she feels every day.
Even a Hollywood movie star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson offered his support Cox ahead of her ordeal when she shared the words of encouragement he gave her.
Cox's Children in Need competition was announced back in September, and she finally embarked on an epic journey on Monday, November 10th. Expected to take five days, her journey will take her through some of Northern England's greatest gems, including Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire, with a mix of running, jogging and walking.
This will be BBC Radio 2's longest task in terms of duration, as many of the station's other stars have undertaken fundraising missions before Cox. In 2024, Paddy McGuinness raised £10.3 million through his ultra-endurance cycle competition.
Other Radio 2 Children in Need competitions include Vernon Kay's Ultra Ultra Marathon in 2023, Scott Mills' 24-hour Treadmill Challenge in 2022, Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Kitchen Disco Dancing in 2021, Joe Wicks' 24-hour PE Challenge in 2020 and Rylan's Great Ka-RY-oke Challenge in 2020 2019.
Here's everything you need to know about Cox's 2025 fundraising, including the route and daily updates.
Day 1, Monday: Sarah's Great Northern Marathon begins.
Cox had some words of support for the superstar when she revealed that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson offered his advice. She said: “He was great. I asked him if at some point he would like to come along the route and give me a piggyback ride. He insisted that he was very busy even before he knew the date of the competition.
“But he said, just imagine how you would feel if you didn't do it, if you didn't push yourself to do it extra, and that was helpful. I'll have this ringing in my ears. I can't help but finish this. I have to, I have to complete this.”
She set off in Kielder Forest at around 8.30am on Monday 10 November. She'll be running the equivalent of a marathon every day and will have to keep up with the times, but she's off to a flying start against the beautiful backdrop of the Northumberland countryside.
She met Vernon Kay on his BBC Radio 2 show and told him: “It was wonderful, beautiful. Bright blue skies, lots of lovely country roads and incredible countryside. There were so many people shouting at me; farmers came out, truck drivers honked at me, it was great actually. Although it’s still a long way off!”
Passing through Bellingham, locals even blessed her trainers with holy water from St Cuthbert's Well, and she aims to reach Hexham by the end of the first day.
Around lunchtime she said: “The weather is changing a bit, getting a little cooler in the evening but people are still coming out which is nice. But there are a lot of long roads, a lot of hills and a lot of sheep, but it's an absolutely beautiful part of the world…
“It’s weird when you stop, you just feel this big rush when you stop and I feel like I’m getting a little seizing every time I stop. But yeah, halfway through day one of five, so I'm fully prepared for it to get harder and harder.”
What is Sarah's Great Northern Marathon?
Sarah Cox will be taking her Pudsey backpack from Northumberland to Pudsey in Leeds. (BBC/Guy Levy)
The challenge will see Radio 2 favorite Cox cover 135 miles on foot across four counties – Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire – where she will run, jog and walk through vast moorlands, steep ridges and hills while carrying a Pudsey Bear backpack.
She will start in Kielder Forest, Northumberland on Monday 10 November and will head to the finish in Pudsey, Leeds, aiming to reach it by the afternoon of Friday 14 November.
Cox will have to run, jog or walk the entire route and is hoping for more support from Radio 2 listeners along the way. She said: “When they chose me to take Pudsey to Pudsey I was equal parts flattered and scared – we're talking 135 miles of hills, bogs and blisters – but I'm up for the challenge and will absolutely give it everything I've got!
“As with Vernon and Paddy, I know Radio 2’s brilliant listeners will be with me every step of the way and their support and encouragement will see me through every challenge and through the toughest moments. This year marks Pudsey's 40th year involved with Children in Need and I can't think of a better way to celebrate than to help raise much-needed funds for the children who need it most.”
Sarah Cox was announced as this year's contender in September. (BBC/Sarah Louise Bennett)
Offering his support, McGuinness said: “I know exactly what Sarah will be going through, so me and the rest of Radio 2 listeners (and the whole of Bolton) will be supporting her every step of the way, especially up all those hills!” BBC Children in Need content director Tommy Nagra added: “Everyone at BBC Children in Need is always there to support you and cheer you on along with Pudsey.”
Head of Radio 2 Helen Thomas said: “Following in the footsteps of some of our most ambitious Children in Need challenges, this year it is Sarah's turn to go the extra mile – or in her case, 135 of them! This is an extremely challenging 5-day challenge that will test her endurance as she traverses stunning but difficult terrain to deliver Pudsey Bear to his home county of Yorkshire. I'd like to thank Sarah for embarking on this giant journey and I know the wonderful Radio 2 listeners will be supporting her every step of the way.”
A BBC TV film crew will follow Cox on her 135-mile journey and the documentary will air in November.
How to donate to Sarah Cox's Children in Need program
If you'd like to support Cox by donating to her fundraiser, you can donate money in a few different ways.
Text donations are made by sending a text message with the amount of money you want to donate (TEN, TWENTY or THIRTY) to 70710.
Supporters can also donate online by visiting Children in Need website. Donation details can be found at call page.
Children in Need airs on BBC One on Friday 14 November.
