A year after Sara Cox completed her Great Northern Marathon Challenge for BBC Children In Need, the total she raised has soared to almost £12m. The BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show host crossed the finish line exhausted and emotional after covering 135 miles on foot across four counties – Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire – a distance of five marathons across five days.
She ran, jogged and walked through sweeping moorland, steep ridges, and the rolling hills of northern England, with the support of towns, villages, and Radio 2 listeners along the way. As she crossed the finish line, Sara had already raised more than £9m, and since then the amount has risen to almost £12m.
Royal Support on the Final Day
Sara, 51, received a surprise video message from the Prince of Wales on the final day as she headed to the finish line, urging her to "keep going". He told her: "Sara, massive congratulations for what you are doing. You are so nearly there, just a little bit further."
He added: "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. Keep going. You've done fantastically well, and the nation is so proud of you."
An exhausted and emotional Sara was delighted with William's inspiring message, saying: "Wow, thanks William, big thank you! Thank you, thanks that's very nice!" Other famous faces offering their support included Dame Judi Dench, Sir Rod Stewart, and Paula Radcliffe, and there were plenty of dogs along the route wagging their tails for dog-loving Sara.
Sara's Own Words on the Challenge
She said as she completed it that the run was the "maddest, most painful, wonderful thing I've ever, ever done". She told Radio 2 listeners: "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. The truck drivers honking their horns, the farmers stopping work just to come and say hi. Thanks to everybody who let me stop for a wee at their house – it was a few people."
Owain Wyn Evans Takes on This Year's Challenge
This year, BBC Radio 2's early morning host Owain Wyn Evans is following in her footsteps as he takes on a mammoth cycle ride for the appeal. Owain is cycling 400 miles through the four nations of the UK, taking him from Glasgow to the finishing line in his homeland in Cardiff.
Children In Need 2026 is on BBC One on Friday, November 13 from 7pm.
