Sara Cox embarked on the gruelling 135-mile Great Northern Marathon Challenge from the Kielder Forest on Monday morning.
The expedition, which is Radio 2’s longest-ever BBC Children In Need Challenge and is set to take an eye-watering five days, kicked off with the star surrounded by locals as well as a more unique bunch of supporters.
At the starting line, the star, 50, was encouraged by a local bagpiper while she was then met with Alpacas when she reached Northumberland.
Speaking ahead of the challenge, Sara said: ‘I’m feeling good. I’m feeling more relaxed than I have been for weeks because I’ve been so nervous in the buildup but now we are actually here and we’re going to do it, I feel good thanks…
‘I mean the rain is not great. There’s a lot of heavy drizzle, it has paused momentarily but my toes are already soggy.’
Sara Cox embarked on the gruelling 135-mile Great Northern Marathon Challenge from the Kielder Forest on Monday morning
After months of intensive training, Sara headed off while carrying a Pudsey Bear backpack weighing only 270 grams, in the mission is to get Pudsey to Pudsey in Leeds by Friday
After months of intensive training, Sara headed off while carrying a Pudsey Bear backpack weighing only 270 grams.
The mission is to get Pudsey to Pudsey in Leeds by Friday – a symbolic journey carrying BBC Children In Need’s iconic mascot from border to heartland.
Covering 135 miles on foot across four counties – Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire – Sara’s Great Northern Marathon Challenge marks Radio 2’s longest-ever challenge in terms of duration.
She will only be relying entirely on her own feet – whether walking or jogging, with no other means of transport such as bikes or cars on the mission
Locals arrived to cheer Sara on and Stuart Todd from Morpeth Pipe Band played Sara off as she began the journey on Monday morning.
Andrea Foote – a trustee of Morpeth Riding for the Disabled Association who provide horse-riding lessons for disabled children – was designated horn-blower.
Sara said: ‘I am going to be running when I can, and then I will be striding along…I may be occasionally stumbling, limping and weeping, but I will getting my sorry self to Pudsey in Leeds on Friday…
‘There are lots of surprises along the way so listen to Radio 2 this week. ‘The Pudsey backpack is very very light, he has been made by some very clever people. He’s super light, I am going to strap him to my back…
She was then met with Alpacas when she reached Northumberland
Stuart Todd from Morpeth Pipe Band played Sara off as she began the journey on Monday morning
‘I am going to be getting him the whole way to Pudsey hopefully – he has even got a little rain mac which is kind of cute so I am going to pop that on in a minute…
‘I don’t know what state he will be in to be honest by the time we get to Pudsey, but we will look after each other.’
Sara spoke to Scott Mills on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show (6.30-9.30am) live from the start line: ‘I’m feeling good…
‘I’m feeling more relaxed than I have been for weeks because I’ve been so nervous in the buildup but now we are actually here and we’re going to do it, I feel good thanks. I mean the rain is not great…
‘There’s a lot of heavy drizzle, it has paused momentarily but my toes are already soggy. It’s definitely wet and soggy but it’s going to be ok. Look, I am from Bolton myself and we are used to a little bit of soggy weather. It’s absolutely fine…
‘People have turned up with banners and I have seen my first banner with my name on it and people have come with their dogs so that’s very on brand for me…
‘I did dream that my husband left me with two of my dogs on the Challenge and I was dreaming going ‘You can’t leave me with the dogs babe. I have got to do this Challenge.’
Sara spoke to Scott Mills on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show (6.30-9.30am) live from the start line: ‘I’m feeling good’
