Sara Cox will need to get her running shoes at the ready, as the presenter is set to complete five marathons in five days for BBC’s Children In Need.

The 50-year-old will be taking famous charity mascot, Pudsey the Bear, to his spiritual home of Pudsey in Leeds.

And Sara will be starting her epic mission from Kielder Forest on the Scottish borders before making the 135-mile trek.

BBC Children in Need 2025: Sara Cox’s marathon challenge

The journey, which will see Sara run, jog, and walk across the North of England’s varied terrain, will stretch across four counties.

Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire will all be traversed, with Sara strictly forbidden to use any other means of transport other than her own legs. That means cars and bikes are strictly forbidden on this tough battle of endurance.

Sara joked: “When they picked me to get Pudsey to Pudsey, I was honoured and horrified in equal measure. We’re talking 135 miles of hills, moors and blisters – but I am ready for the challenge, and I will absolutely be giving it everything I’ve got!”

Sara’s battle of endurance will begin on Monday 10 November, and end on Friday 14 November with Pudsey set to arrive with the popular host in a special backpack. A TV special, which goes behind the scenes of the race, will air on BBC One later in November.

Who is Sara Cox?

Sara is a presenter and author. Rising to fame in the 1990s when she hosted the The Big Breakfast, she now DJs on BBC Radio Two. In addition to this, she is a TV presenter. Sara has fronted BBC’s factual entertainment show Back in Time For… and BBC book club, Between the Covers.

Sara is a writer too; as well as writing a memoir titled Till the Cows Come Home: A Lancashire Childhood, she also has turned to fiction writing. Her debut novel, Thrown, came out in 2022, with second book Way Back being released last year.

Let’s hope she’s managed to keep up some marathon training in between this busy schedule!

Children in Need’s charity challenges

Sara’s challenge comes a year after Children in Need veteran, Paddy McGuinness, underwent his own gruelling task. Paddy, who is also hosting this year’s fundraising event, pedalled 300 miles around Wales, Scotland and England for five days.

The 56-year-old was left in tears when he learned his efforts had raised 8.8million for good causes. He has now offered his support to Sarah ahead of her challenge.

Paddy said: “I know exactly what Sara will be going through so I and the rest of the Radio 2 family of listeners (as well as the Bolton massive) will be supporting her every step of the way, especially up all those hills!”

Who is hosting Children in Need 2025?

Paddy will be joined by Vernon Kay at the helm of Children in Need this year. Vernon, 51, is no stranger to fundraising for the charity either. In 2023, he underwent his own marathon charity challenge.

He ran from Leicester’s Victoria Park to his hometown, finishing at Bolton Wanderers’ football stadium. He raised more than £5 million for charity.

When is Children in Need 2025?

Children in Need’s three hour telethon will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. You can expect a night of your telly favourites as well as comedy skits and emotional stories from the charity. It will air on Friday November 14, 2025.

The celebrities and performers appearing on the 2025 TV show are yet to be announced. The BBC is yet to confirm the date of the documentary special about Sara’s endurance challenge.

Good luck, Sara, we’re rooting for you!

Read more: Paddy McGuinness to host BBC’s Children in Need 2025 alongside Vernon Kay