Television's "number-one groomed man" has popped out of a tractor to surprise his friend and co-presenter, Sara Cox.

He's armed with some whiter-than-white running trainers, planning on running alongside Sara for "as long as she needs."

Sara says it's been the "toughest morning of her life", continuing to explain how it's been a bit of a "toothpaste day" - you just need to keep pushing, and when you think there's none left, keep squeezing!

Despite being exhausted, Sara's not lost her sense of humour though, noting that "all the mums are getting closer now Gethin's turned up!"

Mel C
Spice Girl, Singer, Songwriter and Actress

Mel C from the Spice Girls has provided this message of support for Sara...

Hey Sara, it’s Melanie C here, Sporty Spice. I am sending all my fitness vibes to you. You have got this, you are amazing! Dig deep, good luck, love you babe.

Speaking of Pudsey...

On Day 2 of Sara Cox's Great Northern Marathon Challenge, Radio 2's Jeremy Vine spoke to Joanna Lane, the graphic designer who designed and named the beloved Children in Need mascot of Pudsey Bear.

Joanna spoke about the personal meaning behind the name of Pudsey Bear, and how the character was named after her birthplace and where her grandparents lived.

Listen back to that on BBC Sounds and read more on the interview here.

A reminder: Sara's mission for the week is to deliver Pudsey Bear, in the form of a specially made backpack, to the town of Pudsey in West Yorkshire.

As well as being the inspiration for the name of the iconic Children in Need mascot, who's looking remarkably good for 40, what else do you need to know about the place of Pudsey?

Well, it's a market town situated between Bradford and the City of Leeds and is known for its historic wool industry. Also for Pudsey Park, one of the most visited parks in Leeds.

And it holds several links to famous England cricketers. Impressively, the Yorkshire County Cricket Club has boasted over 100 years with at least one player from Pudsey - there must be something in the water!

Likely the most well-known England cricketer with links to the market town is cricket captain Sir Len Hutton, otherwise known as "The Man from Pudsey".

Pudsey also had five-minutes-of-fame in a Monty Python episode, where two characters can be seen walking along the platform of New Pudsey railway station.

Despite being exhausted and emotional, Sara has been pushing forward and is now officially closer to Pudsey than she was to the starting point of Kielder Forest!

Keep pushing Sara, you've got this!

The top highlight from yesterday maybe?

Here's the moment where Sara was joined by her beloved dog Daisy - and trainer John - who then was able to run with her for part of the end of yesterday's leg of the journey.

Engines are roaring, lights are flashing and horns are tooting - as supporters and farmers have gathered to greet Sara Cox with a 40-strong tractor parade!

Sara admits that she's a "real sucker for a decent bit of kit" - said like a true farmer's daughter!

See some pics from the scene below:

Rylan Clark
BBC Radio 2 Presenter

Becky Hill and Wilkinson - Afterglow

'Allo babes! It's Rylan here! Sara, we're all rooting for you, you're an absolute legend. So here's a belter to keep you going - Afterglow by Becky Hill and Wilkinson. Keep going!

From Scott Mills and Greg James to Michelle Visage and Jeremy Vine, hear more stars picking Songs For Sara Cox on BBC Sounds.

Earlier, Cockfield Primary School surprised Sara with an adorable rendition of her show theme song, You're Welcome! (from Disney's Moana).

Despite running a distance upwards of two marathons this week, her tired legs didn't stop her from dancing along too!

Sara is over halfway through her Great Northern Marathon Challenge for BBC Children in Need, and has raised over £1.4 million so far! That money is going to change the lives of so many people.

If you'd like to support Sara with a text or online donation, and spur her on even further, you can find all the details below or at bbc.co.uk/sara!

Earlier today on Radio 2, Scott Mills aired a brilliant mash-up of Five's hit Keep On Movin', featuring extra vocals and lyrics from the Radio 2 family.

Recorded specially to help Sara along the way, it was the perfect boost that she needed for Day 3 as it's been a difficult day with a sleep deprived Sara battling through the hilliest day of her challenge.

Scott and Richie from Five were on-air to send support to Sara:

"Sara has always been a big supporter of us, we’re very close with her. We’ve got nothing but words of encouragement for her, but we thought we’d go one step further, so we just rewrote Keep On Movin’ for you!"

Sara was just told that she's reached the halfway point of the challenge.

Her response? Simply "Okay, that helps." We can imagine it very much does!

And here's a photo of that moment:

If Sara's epic challenge has inspired you to dig out those old running trainers and get moving, we've got the perfect music companion for you!

Over on BBC Sounds, you can enjoy a special edition of the Pace Setter mix, with some of Sara Cox's favourite workout tunes.

Get in the mood with motivating tracks from Chase & Status, Rudimental, Groove Armada and many more - all handpicked by Sara herself to mark her Great Northern Marathon Challenge for this year's Children In Need!

Listen to Pace Setter: Train with Sara Cox at BBC Sounds.

Sara Cox has officially reached the halfway mark of her Great Northern Marathon Challenge!

At exactly halfway, the route took her through the town of Staindrop, where pupils from Staindrop CE Primary lined the streets with brilliant “Half Way Through” posters to cheer her on.

The energy, colour, and support from the community has given Sara a huge boost as she continues her epic five‑day, 135 mile journey - carrying Pudsey Bear all the way to Pudsey, Leeds.

Clare Balding
BBC Sport presenter

Here's a message of support for Sara from BBC Sport presenter (and Celebrity Traitors contestant) Clare Balding...

Hey Sara, it’s Clare Balding here. Just wishing you all the best for your epic challenge. 135 miles, oh my God, there’s going to be days when you’re feet are blistered and you’re carrying Pudsey and looking at Pudsey going"why have I agreed to do this?".

And in those moments I want you to think of all the millions of people who are supporting you, and loving the fact you are taking this on and also for all the good you’re going to be doing for Children in Need.

I hope you can take in the magnificent landscape that you’re going to be running, walking and jogging through, and that you enjoy moments of it, and you hold onto that enjoyment as you power on through to the end. I believe in you and I will be wishing you well every step of the way.

Sara's on the road and she's got a long way to go, but soon she'll be passing by Winston where there's a lovely treat for her - a line of local farmers will form their own tractor guard of honour, revving their engines in a glorious salute.

If you've been listening to Jeremy Vine this afternoon, you'll have heard a preview of some of the impressive machines that will be saluting Sara on her route.

Remona Aly joined Scott Mills on Radio 2 this morning for today's Pause for Thought and reflected on the power of community to carry us through challenging times.

She encouraged Sara to keep going on her mammoth challenge for Children In Need, drawing strength from the beautiful, love and support of those around her.

Listen below:

There's no doubt that the messages over the radio are having an impact, but the support on the road is undeniably providing some much-needed positivity as Sara ploughs on through gruelling Day 3.

If you're nearby and able to provide some "people power" (as Paddy McGuinness put it), feel free to go out and cheer her on - it will make the world of difference.

You can follow Sara throughout her Great Northern Marathon Challenge via the Sara tracker on the BBC Children in Need website, external

David Seaman
Former Arsenal and England goalkeeper

Sara Cox is an Arsenal fan, so was delighted to get this particular message of support...

Sara, it's David and I hope you are well, I hope the feet are well!

Congratulations by the way - you keep going! What an amazing achievement this is going to be; Pudsey to Pudsey.

Oh, by the way, just to let you know, Pudsey is a national treasure, so no pressure. Don’t lose Pudsey whatever you do.

Anyway as I say, congratulations, you take care and just think - at the end of this you can have a really nice hot bath with bubbles. Alright, you take care, good luck and lots of love.

"I don't know how I'm going to do this today, I've got so far to go."

To say emotions were running high this morning ahead of the "hilliest" day of the challenge so far would be an understatement.

After a sleepless night, Sara checked in with Scott and got a bit teary, saying her body was asking "what the heck is going on?!"

Needless to say, she's powering through and ploughing on like an absolute superstar!

Paddy McGuinness
BBC Radio 2 Presenter

I am donating don’t you worry about that Sara, I have already done that my love. And I’ve also christened you - you’ve got a new name - Usain Bolton!