Sara Cox is pushing through the final, punishing miles of her 135-mile Great Northern Marathon challenge — the longest and most emotional feat ever attempted for Children In Need. After days of storms, swelling, exhaustion and tearful breakdowns, the Radio 2 presenter has now smashed past the astonishing £6million mark as she limps toward Pudsey on her final day.
Running across four counties — Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire — Sara is fighting through intense pain while clinging to the support of medics, colleagues and fans lining the streets.
This morning, she struggled to even walk, moving backwards with two men supporting her arms. Despite sobbing in a village hall after receiving medical attention, she forced herself back onto the route from Ripley to Beckwithshaw before heading toward Leeds Bradford Airport and the Yorkshire moors.
“I’m so puffy, I’ve never seen my ankles like this,” she admitted. “It’s quite alarming. All bruises are coming up. I just look like I’ve been in the wars. We’ve just got to push. Push, push, push.”
Earlier, she desperately asked to send a message to her children mid-run: “Tell Isaac, Renee and Lola that I’m okay… and that I’ll see them later.”
The emotional toll has been enormous. When she found out she had crossed £5million, she broke down, covering her face as Scott Mills told listeners: “She can’t brave-face it anymore. Every time you speak to her, the emotion is so much. She can’t hold it in.”
Prince William also surprised her with a heartfelt video message, telling her: “You are so nearly there… keep going. The nation is so proud of you.”
Fans online echoed the same emotion. One supporter wrote: “You’re inspiring a generation of women. If you can, we can!” Another said: “Come on Sara!! Final stretch, superwoman!”
Despite battling swollen calves, anxiety spikes and relentless weather, Sara has kept going with her Pudsey backpack and Radio 2 beanie, waving to cheering crowds. Last night, she finished day four before 10pm to jubilant applause.
Today, she pushes one last time toward Pudsey — home of Pudsey Bear — to complete one of the most dramatic and inspiring charity challenges the BBC has ever witnessed.
