SARA Cox has been a regular on our airwaves and TV screens since she joined BBC Radio One in the ’nineties.
For Children in Need 2025, the much-loved presenter and DJ is taking on her Great Northern Marathon Challenge. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is Sara Cox’s Children In Need challenge?
Sara Cox is covering 135 miles across four counties – Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire – on foot in her Great Northern Marathon Challenge for Children in Need.
The total distance is the equivalent of doing five marathons in five days.
When asked if she came up with the idea for the challenge, Sara told BBC Breakfast: “Did I, heck!? It’s quite a long way to be travelling on my own two feet!
“People will hopefully support and come out and donate to Children In Need, that’s the most important thing – that’s what we’re focusing on, not the drizzle.”
And reflecting on the incredible achievements of BBC Radio Two colleagues Vernon Kay and Paddy McGuinness in previous years, Sara added: “It’s a terrifying privilege, it’s a terrifying, scary, very tiring privilege to do this… so I’ve trained hard and I’m ready for it.
“You have no choice but to say yes because it’s a chance to raise lots of money and change lives.”
What is Sara Cox’s route?
Sara is running, jogging and walking through the beautiful and challenging landscape of northern England, carrying Pudsey Bear with her on the amazing adventure.
Her journey kicked off at 8.20am on Monday, November 10, 2025, from Kielder Forest on the Scottish border.
From there she’s heading through Northumberland National Park.
Sarah will then follow the River North Tyne through the small villages of Bellingham, Wark and Humshaugh, before crossing Hadrian’s Wall.
She’ll finish the first leg after completing 27 miles of the challenge in the market town of Hexham – leaving her with more than a hundred miles still to cover.
Sara is aiming to conclude her massive charity challenge in Pudsey near Leeds on the afternoon of Friday, November 14.
Here’s a breakdown of the full five-day route:
Day 1: Kielder Forest to Hexham
- Starts in Kielder Forest, Northumberland National Park.
- Follows the River North Tyne through villages including Bellingham, Wark and Humshaugh.
- Crosses historic Hadrian’s Wall.
- Finishes in the market town of Hexham.
It’s quite a long way to be travelling on my own two feet!
Sara Cox,
Day 2: Hexham to Durham
- Leaves Hexham heading southeast through Northumberland’s rolling hills.
- Passes through Corbridge and other small towns along the River Tyne.
- Ends the day in the cathedral city of Durham.
Day 3: Durham to Northallerton
- Heads south from Durham crossing through rural villages in County Durham.
- Enters North Yorkshire, traversing moorlands and farmland.
- Finishes the day in the market town of Northallerton, a gateway to the Yorkshire Dales.
Day 4: Northallerton to Harrogate
- Travels southwest into the heart of North Yorkshire.
- Heads through moors and picturesque villages, climbing hills and traversing some of the challenge’s toughest physical tests.
- Ends the day in the spa town of Harrogate.
Day 5: Harrogate to Pudsey, Leeds
- Leaves Harrogate, passing through smaller towns including Otley and Headingley.
- The route follows suburban and rural roads into West Yorkshire.
- Finishes in Pudsey, near Leeds – the home of Pudsey Bear.
You can follow the star’s progress in the Great Northern Marathon Challenge on the BBC’s Sara Tracker.
How can you donate?
Supporters can donate to Sara’s challenge via the following methods:
Text donations:
- To donate £10, text TEN to 70710
- To donate £20, text TWENTY to 70710
- To donate £30, text THIRTY to 70710
Online donations:
Visit the BBC Children In Need website and use their official donation portal.
Donations go directly to UK charities that help children and young people facing hardship.
Sara’s challenge will be showcased on BBC Radio Two, and also during the live Children In Need TV broadcast.
The show runs between 7pm and 10 pm on Friday, November 15, 2025.
