{"id":7291,"date":"2025-11-14T14:55:50","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T15:55:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/?p=7291"},"modified":"2025-11-17T12:31:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T12:31:16","slug":"sara-cox-raises-a-staggering-9523028-for-children-in-need-with-marathon-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/14\/sara-cox-raises-a-staggering-9523028-for-children-in-need-with-marathon-challenge\/","title":{"rendered":"Sara Cox raises a staggering \u00a39,523,028 for Children in Need with marathon challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sorry, this video isn't available any more.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Sara Cox<\/a> has been left floored discovering her epic 135-mile marathon for Children in Need raised \u00a39,523,023.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Over the past five days, the BBC<\/a> Radio 2 presenter, 50, has been undertaking the Great Northern Marathon Challenge<\/a>, which has seen her trek from the Scottish border to Pudsey in Leeds<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The total distance is the equivalent of doing five marathons in five days.<\/p>\n

When told earlier this week that she\u2019d helped raise over \u00a31,000,000 so far, she broke down in tears and thanked those who had supported her.<\/p>\n

On Friday afternoon, she completed the marathon challenge, crossing the line around 3.30pm. Upon finishing, Sara was told she’d raised a staggering \u00a37,600,000.<\/p>\n

As Sara arrived, she was greeted by family, friends and a crowd \u2013 who cheered her as she finished up.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Sara\t<\/div>
Sara Cox has completed the Great Northern Marathon Challenge for Children in Need (Picture: BBC\/Sarah Louise Bennett)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\n\t\t\"Sara\t<\/div>
She’d spent the past five days running the equivalent of five marathons (Picture: BBC\/ Sarah Louise Bennett)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\n\t\t\"Sara\t<\/div>
The BBC presenter said she’d ‘never known pain like it’ (Picture: BBC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Soon after she then spoke to her BBC co-host Scott Mills<\/a>. Appearing on stage alongside him just a few minutes after she finished her epic run, Sara joked what she\u2019d just undertaken was a \u2018really silly idea\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u2018That was such a ridiculous thing to do,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n

She went on to thank her trainer Greg Whyte, who had now helped run 40 challenges for Children in Need.<\/p>\n

Speaking about completing the challenge, she explained it was \u2018the hardest thing I\u2019ve ever done\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019ve never known pain like it,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n

\u2018It was bitterly cold and wet and filthy, but so many people came out. The truck drivers honking their horns, the farmers stopping work to come and say hi, the kids on the side of the road and just so many homemade signs.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Children\t<\/div>
She later appeared on the Children in Need broadcast (Picture: BBC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\n\t\t\"Children\t<\/div>
It was announced on the show that she’d raised \u00a39,523,028 (Picture: BBC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DRDZ-lbDaek\/?hl=en<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\u2018It was incredible. And thanks to everyone who let me stop for a wee at their house!\u2019<\/p>\n

Asked \u2018what hurts the most\u2019, she explained: \u2018Nothing hurts right now because I am so buzzing, but I\u2019ve never had shapely calves in my life, but I do now! I am so swollen, and it looks like I\u2019ve been hit with a bat all along my shins. It\u2019s fluid and black and blue and hideous. It\u2019s been the maddest and most painful and most wonderful thing I\u2019ve ever done.\u2019<\/p>\n

Addressing those who had donated, she thanked everyone for their support.<\/p>\n

At the start of the day, the tally was sitting at \u00a33million, more than doubling by the afternoon.<\/p>\n

Sara said that parts of the run were \u2018miserable\u2019 and \u2018agonising\u2019, saying that she was in \u2018a lot of pain a lot of the time\u2019.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"For\t<\/div>
She broke down in tears earlier this week after being told she’d helped raised over \u00a31million (Picture: BBC\/PA Wire)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018But not now! I wish I could bottle this feeling now,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n

This week Sara was also celebrated for speaking about breaking down barriers that \u2018women of a certain age\u2019 couldn\u2019t undertake a physical challenge like the one she\u2019d just ticked off.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s so patronising. When you turn 50 you know yourself better than you ever have and you are stronger than ever and are coping with a lot. Women in their 50s are the strongest, most awesome and badass people that I know,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n

Later in the evening she then appeared on the Children in Need broadcast, where she was told of the total amount she’d raised – \u00a39,523,028.<\/p>\n

As the broadcast wrapped up on Friday night, Sara spoke about completing the challenge, joking that she\u2019d been forced to wear a pair of Crocs on stage as her feet were so swollen.<\/p>\n

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She trekked a staggering 135 miles from the Scottish border to Pudsey in Leeds (Picture:
Datawrapper\/Metro.co.uk)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Asked how she was holding up by host Paddy McGuinness, she explained: \u2018I am absolutely exhausted, but it\u2019s just been the most amazing, painful and wonderful few days of my life. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018I am absolute wreck too. My mood was changing every few seconds. It was a lot.\u2019<\/p>\n

Giving a final message to her supporters, she sent them a \u2018massive thank you\u2019 and said that she \u2018couldn\u2019t have done it without them\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u2018There\u2019s a lot of bad stuff that goes on in the world, but Children in Need reminds you that there\u2019s more good.\u2019<\/p>\n

The full amount she raised was then announced, with the presenter left speechless, holding her hand over her face as confetti fell over her. Within just a few hours, more than \u00a32million was added to the total.<\/p>\n

A presenter on BBC Radio 2, Sara has hosted the station\u2019s drivetime show since January 2019. She previously presented BBC Radio 1\u2019s breakfast show from 2000 until 2003, as well as TV shows including The Great Pottery Throw Down, Too Much TV and Back in Time for…<\/p>\n

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Undated BBC handout photo of BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox who is to run the equivalent of five marathons in five days to raise money for Children In Need. Sara's Great Northern Marathon Challenge will involve Cox covering 135 miles on foot across four counties, all while carrying a Pudsey Bear backpack. Cox will run, jog and walk through the sweeping moorlands and rolling hills of Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire, starting from Kielder Forest on November 10, and ending in Pudsey, Leeds, on November 14. Issue date: Friday September 19, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: BBC\/Guy Levy\/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SEI_266771132-ec0f.jpg\">\t<\/div><figcaption>She’s thanked all those who supported her throughout the past five days (Picture: BBC\/Guy Levy\/ PA Wire)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Ahead of the challenge, Sara explained that she was \u2018honoured and horrified in equal measure when selected to undertake the marathon.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018We\u2019re talking 135 miles of hills, moors and blisters \u2013 but I am ready for the challenge, and I will absolutely be giving it everything I\u2019ve got!\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018I know the brilliant Radio 2 listeners will be with me every step of the way, and their encouragement and support will shove me up every incline and pull me through my toughest moments.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Just like with Vernon and Paddy, I know the brilliant Radio 2 listeners will be with me every step of the way, and their encouragement and support will shove me up every incline and pull me through my toughest moments. Pudsey ha\u2019s been part of Children in Need for 40 years this year, and I can\u2019t think of a better way to celebrate than by helping raise much-needed funds for children who need it most.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\">Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/submit-stuff\/\">Submit Stuff<\/a> page – we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n<section id=\"share-buttons-bottom\" class=\"share-buttons share-buttons-bottom\"><a class=\"metro-button share-bar-comments\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span><title>Comment now<\/title><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-comments__label\">Comments<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><a class=\"metro-button share-bar-preferred-source\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/metro.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span><title>Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-preferred-source__label\">Add as preferred source<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sorry, this video isn't available any more. Sara Cox has been left floored discovering her epic 135-mile marathon for Children in Need raised \u00a39,523,023. Over the past five days, the BBC Radio 2 presenter, 50, has been undertaking the Great Northern Marathon Challenge, which has seen her trek from the Scottish border to Pudsey in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6731,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7291","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7291","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7291"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7291\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7301,"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7291\/revisions\/7301"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6731"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7291"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7291"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}