BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox completed her 135-mile Great Northern Marathon Challenge on Friday, raising more than £7 million for Children in Need. The 50-year-old crossed the finish line in Pudsey, Leeds, at around 3:30pm after five grueling days covering the equivalent of five marathons.
Cox appeared visibly emotional as she finished the challenge, which started in Kielder Forest, Northumberland, and took her through Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. She was greeted at the finish line by Melanie C, who performed for the crowd. «I can't believe it, oh my gosh. That was the hardest thing I've ever done,» Cox said after crossing the line.
Royal support
Prince William sent a video message of support that was played on Scott Mills' Radio 2 breakfast show. «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,» the Prince of Wales said. «Keep going, you've done fantastically well, and the nation's so proud of you.»
Cox described the physical toll of the challenge, telling Scott Mills on BBC Radio 2: «It's just the hardest thing I've ever done, I've never known pain like it. But then, I've never had eye contact with so many amazing women who have just powered me on. On the side of the road, in the driving rain, it was bitterly cold.» She carried a Pudsey Bear backpack throughout her journey.
The challenge marked Radio 2's longest-ever fundraising effort for the annual Children in Need appeal. Cox emphasized the support she received from women over 50, saying: «We are not women of a certain vintage, we are not women of a certain age, we are women over 50.» The Children in Need telethon began at 7pm on Friday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
