Richie Anderson, travel news presenter, has some kind words for Sara while popping in for his latest bulletin:

Richie: I just want to give you the biggest hug and blessing to your hip and do a kind of rain dance in the hope that it stops up there. But what's been amazing to see is the amount of people coming out showing their love and support for you, everybody is behind you... It's probably more than any energy gel or energy drink that you could take I imagine!

Sara: Yeah, it's a real boost, it's amazing. I want everyone to come out tomorrow, we're going to need everyone out, and Friday if they can! I need everyone to keep donating, that’s what’s keeping me going. That's why we are doing it, every penny we get in will go towards helping children and their families who are in a rough position in tough situations.

Spoony chatted to a listener called Blossom who rides at a stables similar to the Miniature World Riding Academy. She started riding for physical therapy and now rides regularly.

She got to meet Sara along the way: "She’s lovely. She’s exhausted but doing amazingly. We got chatting about horses and how much they mean to us. She’s just amazing!"

She went on to say: "Children in Need is such an amazing charity because it helps so many people like me, and because of the amount of joy it gives to people's lives.’’

Spoony also had a surprise in store for her... a voice note from her favourite musician, Tom Grennan! Tom told her: "I got a message to say how much you love my music and I really, really appreciate that. But I’ve heard your story and I just want to say I’m an even bigger fan of yours. Everything you’re going through and overcome, I think you’re an absolute superstar."

The magic of radio!

Superwoman Sara Cox has had a difficult day to say the least, but she has made it over halfway through her 135 mile challenge.

But she isn't half knackered - as shown by the fact that when she was told she'd reached halfway, she asked, "Of what?"

Pit stop 4 was the Miniature World Riding Academy, which is one of the many projects that benefit from funds raised for Children in Need. Jill who works at the academy spoke to Spoony to tell him all about it.

"The riding school does lots of projects, we do riding for the disabled and help as many people as we can here, with many disabilities. We have children who have walking difficulties, who are blind, so many to mention.

"Riding is absolutely superb for people, it gives them good balance, it helps with their core strength and when they are on a horse, they are no different to anyone else. They feel normal, doing something that everybody can do. The strength it gives them and the will power, and everything, it's wonderful."

Inspiring work! And they have brought the cavalry for Sara...

"We've got horses at the bottom on the drive waiting for her, we've got riders on horses waiting to bring her in. Hopefully, it will bring her a bit of energy, a bit of a boost!"

And Spoony couldn’t help himself from saying, "Hopefully they bring a bit of horsepower!"

Keep the banter up! We love it.

Calling in to speak to DJ Spoony live on Radio 2, local resident Jan from East Layton tells us about Richmondshire:

"We've got a crowd from East Layton and West Layton to welcome Sara to our brilliant village.

"It's a beautiful part of Richmondshire, we're about 6 miles from Richmond which of course is where Sara is finishing tonight. We know that she will get amazing support, she will get an amazing welcome. We've got horses here, we're got dogs here, its a big farming rural community. We're very proud to welcome Children in Need and Sara Cox tonight."

That you to all the people and animals in Richmondshire who are coming out and supporting Sara!

Fiona Bruce
Journalist and television presenter

We're all about horses at the moment as Sara takes a pit stop at the Miniature World Riding Academy.

And fittingly, Sara has received a message from good friend and horse-riding pal Fiona Bruce - plus her horse Woody...

"It's Fiona here, and Woody - you remember him - why aren’t you here with us? Normally we're on horseback and instead you’re doing this crazy challenge, which Radio 2 are describing as the toughest challenge ever for Children in Need. You must be mad or brilliant or both! You're definitely brilliant, and I know you'll do amazingly, amazingly well. Woody and I, we miss you and we'll see you again soon, best of luck!"

Sara Cox
BBC Radio 2's Great Northern Marathon Woman

I've also got Gethin Jones in a high-vis vest. You know what, he's a proper mate because I can put in my music and go, "You know what, I'm not talking to you now Geths, just keep pace," and he's like, "Righty-ho!" and he's just running alongside me. He doesn't take any looking after!

Sara is powering through on her Children in Need challenge and every donation - big or small - counts to getting changing the lives of so many people.

If you'd like to support Sara with a text or online donation, and get her over the hump of Day 3, you can find all the details below or at bbc.co.uk/sara!

Sara Cox
BBC Radio 2's Great Northern Marathon Woman

I'm good - well. That's a lie. I'm not well. I'm good in bits and bad in bits. Different bits of my body are doing tag team! But lovely people are out in Caldwell, lovely Caldwell. And I've got to say thank you to Daniel and Becky who just let me use their loo!

Just the news Sara needed to keep her pushing through after one of the toughest mornings of her life. Everyone's so proud of you Sara!

We've witnessed some incredible scenes during Trevor's show as Sara crossed over into North Yorkshire, was saluted by a fleet of tractors, and joined by her pal Gethin Jones.

If you missed any of them, ask your smart speaker to play BBC Radio 2, then 'Ask BBC Sounds to rewind to' the times below. Get more help with using smart speakers here.

• 14:00 - Jeremy and Trevor reflect on Sara's salute from 40 tractors!
• 14:41 - Gethin Jones pulls up in a tractor to surprise Sara
• 15:33 - Trevor's 'Run Sara Run' playlist!

You can also catch up on Trevor's show below, or via our Watch & Listen tab at the top of the page for the rest of today.

If you missed Trevor Nelson's 'Run Sara Run' playlist - three back to back bangers designed to get Sara moving and keep spirits high - here are the selections from today...

• Jr. Walker and the All Stars - (I'm a) Road Runner
• Nuyorican Soul - Runaway (feat. India)
• Naughty Boy - Runnin' (Lose It All) (feat. Beyoncé & Arrow Benjamin)

Keep listening to Radio 2 to hear all the latest news and action direct from the road in North Yorkshire, where Sara is pushing on through to today's finish line.

• Listen live to Radio 2.

Judi Dench
Actress

Sara’s final destination today? The stunning North Yorkshire town of Richmond! This vibrant Georgian market town is the northern gateway to the breathtaking Yorkshire Dales. It’s steeped in history, home to the mighty Norman fortress, Richmond Castle, and some of the best-preserved Norman architecture you’ll ever see.

After an epic day on the road, Richmond will be the perfect peaceful spot for Sara to rest her weary bones… and brace herself for that much-anticipated icy cold bath!

By the time she reaches Richmond, Sara will have conquered 28.9 miles, starting all the way back in Wolsingham, County Durham. Woweeee - that’s some serious mileage!

We can’t wait to see what surprises await her at the finish line today.

Gethin Jones
Television presenter

I've been listening to you and watching you on socials, I know how hard you trained for this, but actually you can't train for 135 miles!

I'm going to run with you for as long as you need me to but honestly we're all so proud of you and you've been amazing - hasn't she been incredible?

All week cars have been honking at Sara to show their encouragement and keep her pushing forward on her journey, but during her chat with Trevor earlier, she heard the beep of a tractor carrying a special guest.

"It's Gethin Jones off the telly, my mate," exclaimed Sara. "I wasn't expecting that!"

Gethin seemed very chuffed with his new mode of transport: "That was the coolest thing ever, can I just drive it around?"

Earlier this week, Damon Albarn delivered some motivational words for Sara.

"I can't imagine doing a marathon every day" - to be honest, neither can we! But here we are on Day 3, and Sara's still plodding her way to Pudsey.

Keep the support coming - it's literally fuelling putting one foot in front of the other!

Sara beams while on air with Trevor Nelson, her spirits well and truly lifted - recharged by all the positive energy joining her along the route and fueled as always by the latest donation total of £1.4 million!

She's smashed through the halfway point of the WHOLE challenge and is now joined by her pal Gethin Jones, who is ready to run alongside her in his fresh, shiny white trainers… though we know they won’t stay white for long!

Sara is about to cross into North Yorkshire, a huge milestone in today’s progress. Next stop: Caldwell.

Follow her progress on Sara's Live Tracker, external.