Scott Mills has just helped Sara Cox kick off Day 3 of her Great Northern Marathon Challenge with some much needed encouragement, live on Radio 2.

"Just remember: when you crawl into bed tonight, you will be well over halfway!" Scott told Sara.

And after the sounds of a horn and a steam train, Sara was on her way again.

Sara is starting off in Wolsingham, where she finished Day 2 of the trek on Tuesday. And she'll be making her way to Richmond, with a fair few hills in between.

"Just get through today!" Scott told Sara. "You got this!"

This Wednesday is the “hump day” of all hump days…. Because Sara faces hill, after hill, after hill.

She's just about to leave the darkened streets of Wolsingham to face an immediately brutal 500 foot climb towards Hamsterley and along the narrow winding lanes of Morley.

She’ll then bravely tackle Cockfield, passing the medieval Raby Castle, before crossing the border into North Yorkshire.

There, even more hills await through Caldwell, East Layton and Gilling West before reaching the warm welcome of Richmond, a full 28 miles later.

Sara Cox
BBC Radio 2's Great Northern Marathon Woman

Sara seems to be really feeling the toll of the challenge today - so let's all show our support!

I would’ve done anything for a good night’s sleep last night - there’s been tears already this morning. My legs are sore, my feet are sore - it’s an inflammation cascade!

My body is going "what the heck is going on?’’ I don’t know how I’m going to do this today, I’ve just not slept!

Here is Sara preparing for the day ahead - you can do it, Sara!

Here is how Tuesday fared for Sara on the second day of the challenge!

• Hexham cheered on Sara with a horn-player and town crier as she embarked on the 'highest' day of her journey.
• Sara paused to recognise the two minute silence for Remembrance Day.
• Pudsey got into his raincoat as the weather got intense!
• Sara entered her second of four counties - County Durham!
• Daisy the Dog, Sara's dog came and surprised her, much to Sara's delight.
• Sara finished off the day in Wolsingham to the cheers of a big crowd!

And we're back for Day 3 of Sara Cox's Great Northern Marathon Challenge for Children in Need!

Yesterday, Sara raised a huge £650,128 for charity, thanks to your kind and generous donations.

Now we're all go again for another day, and another marathon feat from Sara!

Stay tuned to Scott Mills on Radio 2 to hear Sara set off on Day 3 of her trek!

It sounds like a tough day ahead for Sara, so let's all get behind her. And if you can, please donate!

If you missed today's highlights, you can catch up on Sara Cox's gruelling second day below. It's been tiring, the weather has been terrible, but she's kept putting one foot in front of the other and we're so proud of her!

Sara will be back on the road tomorrow morning, setting off during The Scott Mills Breakfast Show, boosted by the fact that she's raised an incredible £650,128 already...

You'll be able to listen live on this page, via the BBC Sounds app, or via your smart speaker.

Well done Sara on the amazing progress she's made today - another entire marathon!

Last night while chatting to Jo Whiley on her Radio 2 show (which this week runs 7-10pm, Mon to Thu) she told Jo this was the part of the day she was most looking forward to.

Sara: “When I hear your voice it means I’ve got through another day, Jo, so you’re my favourite person! I can’t wait to speak to you tomorrow because it means Day 2 will be done.“

Jo: “I’m going to be like a warm cuddly blanket at the end of each day, soothing you to sleep!”

DJ Spoony saw Sara over the finish line earlier this evening. If you missed his show, ask your smart speaker to play BBC Radio 2, then 'Ask BBC Sounds to rewind to' the times below for a couple of the highlights.

• 16:26 - Sara was surprised with her dog Daisy!
• 18:03 - Sara crossed the finish line and was given the latest total

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You can also catch up on Spoony's show in full via our Watch & Listen tab at the top of the page for the rest of today.

If you've just joined us, you can relive some of the biggest moments from today below...

Sara Cox started Day 2, dubbed the highest day of her challenge, in Hexham. She was in fine form as she took off, sent on her way by Hexham's Town crier and dogs, lots and lots of dogs.

Sara got emotional when she heard the new total fundraising figure earlier today.

Today was the highest day of Sara's challenge and she described the hills as "really grim", but continued to take it in her stride.

The weather has been bleak so even Pudsey had to don his waterproofs!

But as Sara's BBC Radio 2 stablemate reminded her, just keep your eyes on the next brew and you'll get through!

She's had so much support along the way from BBC Radio 2 listeners and celebrity supporters alike, but no-one will have had a view of Sara quite like Headstand Mike!

Later Sara reached County Durham, the second of the four counties she'll pass through on her challenge (Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire).

Encouraged by news of her latest incredible fundraising total, and she pushed on with that classic Northern spirit!

And in a sweet moment, Sara was surprised by her dog trainer John, who brought along her beloved dog Daisy for a cuddle and to run the final stretch with her.

After a long day in the wind and rain, Sara crossed the finish line in Wolsingham just after 6pm. Cue pure joy at the finish line from our Great Northern Marathon Woman, especially when she got the news that the total raised has reached £650,128! A huge thank you to everyone who has donated.

It's been a hard day for Sara who has been battling the elements, but she's only gone and completed the second day of her epic challenge for Children in Need - and the pictures speak for themselves.

Well done Sara!

Sara Cox
BBC Radio 2's Great Northern Marathon Woman

I know what to expect tomorrow, a bit more pain and rain, and look you see, I think that’s going to be the theme for the rest of the run (or pootle or stagger) - yeah, pain and rain.

But I just keep thinking of Maxine who is Austin’s Mum, who I met at a brilliant place called the Nook, a hospice in Norfolk. Maxine was so inspirational. I take strength from her because she’s got to look after Austin and he’s got Duchenne muscular dystrophy and he’s slowly losing the ability to walk and he’s such a cracking lad.

Maxine said just to keep on putting one foot in front of the other, day in day out and just keep going for Austin so that’s just so inspired me today, that’s what I’ve been thinking about a lot.

Sara Cox
BBC Radio 2's Great Northern Marathon Woman

It’s pure relief Spoony, I cannot believe we’ve finished, today has been long but thank you to Jackson who has just given me a sign that says ‘you are amazing’. It’s a very cool drawing. Loads of kids, amazing people by the side of the road, but today has been bleak and desolate in parts, and brutal with the weather, it’s been full on but we are done now. Tick - on to day 3!

Sara has just reached the end of day 2 of her Great Northern Marathon Challenge for BBC Children in Need, and been told that so far, she has raised an incredible £650,128! 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

Incredible!

Sara has crossed the finish line to the amazing news that the latest official total is a massive £650,128!

What a way to end Day 2 of her mammoth challenge, following a day of bad weather and a lot of running.

Knowing that all the donations will be going to BBC Children in Need will certainly keep her motivation going as she's back on the road tomorrow.

Another day, another checkpoint reached.

In the last few minutes Sara has arrived in Wolsingham, after battling the highs and lows (and brutal weather!) of The North Pennines. She has now completed two full marathons and covered two counties – what a champ!

Listener Victoria caught up with DJ Spoony to recap what it's been like for everyone out cheering Sara on through the rain.

‘’I travelled from Sunderland, I think it was about 40 miles, and we got to have a chat with her - she was absolutely lovely. Just so proud of her!

"And there were loads of school kids a bit further down and they had a big blow up Pikachu, and she was high-fiving them as well. She’s so down to earth, I don’t know how she’s doing it, I really don’t.

‘’I’ve only ever done the Great North Run, once. I can’t even think of one marathon. She’s just a wonder woman. I just love Radio 2 and all your DJs!"

Sara couldn't do this without listeners like Victoria - keep sending Sara your love and supporting her with donations where you can.

Look at how far she's come since she took off from Hexham this morning. She's now in touching distance of her final stop of the day, and we know there are lots of Radio 2 family out there waiting for her in Wolsingham!

Follow her last stretch on Sara's tracker, external.