Radio 2 listeners have been getting in touch with messages of support for Sara, wishing her the best of luck on the hardest day of her challenge.

Here's what you've been saying...

Paddy McGuinness
BBC Radio 2 Presenter

It's amazing, because if you do pick up any niggles in everyday life, those niggles would be a hinderance. But when you're doing something like this, the sheer will of the people coming out supporting you and everyone who's behind you in the studio - all that positivity, all that goodwill, you just kind of get through it.

When it comes to the end and you're sat at home and it's all finished and you think back on it, it will be one of the best moments of your life.

Sara caught up yesterday with Radio 2's Paddy McGuinness, who last year completed his own Ultra Endurance Cycling Challenge for Children in Need.

How was she feeling with less than a day to go until her challenge started?

"It's going to be tough! I think there's going to be a lot of moments where I'm like, 'Where am I?' I'm going to be in the middle of nowhere and I'll just be counting down those miles trying to get to the next pit stop," says Sara.

"But hopefully people will be coming out and giving me a wave.

"Look I feel physically and mentally fit. I think it's just a bit of fear of the unknown now. I know it's going to be hard, but I'm worried that I've underestimated just how tough it's going to be on my feet, my knees, my hips, probably my ears. My runny nose. Basically every bit of me!

"I keep saying it's a terrifying privilege to do something like this so I'm going to give it every bit of welly I've got and try to do everyone proud. And try to raise as much money as possible."

During a break from training last week Sara caught up with her Morning Live pals Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones to look ahead to the challenge.

“I feel like psychologically I'll need to know that I’ve done everything within my power to be as ready as possible.

"So I've been training a lot and trying to get as strong and fit as possible.”

And on the support she's received so far?

"People keep saying 'You’re going to smash it Sara.' I’m like I’ll be happy if I just steadily crumble it over the five days!”

Watch their chat in full on BBC iPlayer from 57 minutes, 8 seconds into the programme

Sara Cox
BBC Radio 2's Great Northern Marathon Woman

When they picked me to get Pudsey to Pudsey, I was honoured & 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!

I know the brilliant Radio 2 listeners will be with me every step of the way, and their encouragement and support will shove me up every incline and pull me through my toughest moments.

Just like with Vernon and Paddy, I know the brilliant Radio 2 listeners will be with me every step of the way, and their encouragement and support will shove me up every incline and pull me through my toughest moments. Pudsey has been part of Children in Need for 40 years this year, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than by helping raise much-needed funds for children who need it most.

As the clock ticks down to the start of Sara's challenge, let's take a look at what Sara's been saying about what's coming up.

Sara Cox hosts BBC Radio 2's teatime show, 4-7pm, Mondays to Fridays - including the Half-Wower mix (Mon to Thu) and All Request Friday. Sara also presents the Radio 2 Book Club podcast on BBC Sounds.

Born and raised in Bolton, Sara spent her early years on her father's farm, alongside her four siblings, before later starting a career in television and radio.

After finding fame as a host of Channel 4's The Girlie Show, followed by a brief stint on The Big Breakfast, she joined Radio 1 in 1999, going on to present the prestigious Breakfast Show between April 2000 and December 2003.

In 2013 Sara joined the Radio 2 family, launching Sounds of the 80s on Saturday evenings. She later helped raise over £1million for Comic Relief, via her 24-hour 80s Danceathon on Radio 2 in 2017. Following a spell on weekday evenings in 2018, Sara took over the teatime show in January 2019.

Beyond Radio 2, she's hosted a number of TV shows, including Morning Live, Between The Covers and The Great Pottery Throwdown, and written several books, including her memoir Till the Cows Come Home: A Lancashire Childhood.

Follow Sara’s journey right here - we'll be providing regular updates, photos, videos and more highlights throughout each day this week.

You'll also be able to follow her every move with our new Sara Tracker, which will be turned on as Sara sets off later this morning.

Listen along live to Radio 2 by clicking or tapping the audio icon at the top of the page. Or ask your smart speaker to 'Play BBC Radio 2' - get more help with using smart speakers here.

And you can take Sara with you via the BBC Sounds app if you're on the move - if you've not downloaded it, here's some help in getting started.

Plus, don’t miss a BBC One special following Sara's journey airing next Wednesday, 19 November.

Let’s go, Sara! Let’s go, Pudsey! Let’s go, Children in Need!

Good morning!

Radio 2’s Sara Cox is limbering up for the challenge of her life - all to help raise money for BBC Children in Need 2025.

Over five long, brutal days, Sara will battle her way on foot over rolling hills, dramatic ridges and vast moorland, with a only a Pudsey backpack for company.

That's 135 miles across five days, passing through five counties and covering the distance of over five marathons.

No bike. No car. Just northern grit, trainers, and a whole lot of heart.

We’ve seen these challenges before, but this one is different - Sara’s route is extreme and remote. This is not just Radio 2’s longest challenge ever, it's going to be the loneliest.

Team Sara has already arrived at the start line at Kielder Water Sailing Club, so get ready to expect surprises, plenty of emotional moments, and sheer determination.

We've got all the details of how you can follow Sara's challenge coming up shortly.

Radio 2's Sara Cox is taking on a truly epic test of stamina and spirit during a five day mission to get Pudsey... to Pudsey!

Sara will be starting in the wild beauty of Kielder Forest on the Scottish borders on Monday 10 November, and aiming to finish in Pudsey in Leeds on the afternoon of Friday 14 November – a symbolic journey carrying BBC Children in Need’s iconic mascot Pudsey from border to heartland.

Sara's Great Northern Marathon Challenge will see her covering 135 miles on foot across four counties – Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire - a distance of five marathons across five days.

Sara will run, jog, and walk through sweeping moorland, steep ridges, and the rolling hills of northern England, with the support of towns, villages, and Radio 2 listeners, along the way.

This marks Radio 2's longest-ever challenge in terms of duration, and Sara will be relying entirely on her own two feet – whether walking or jogging - no bikes, no cars, just determination, and a touch of northern grit. All to help raise money for BBC Children in Need.

Stay tuned to Radio 2 for all the latest on the challenge, and follow Sara's progress here on this BBC Live page, each day from Monday 10 to Friday 14 November

We'll bring you video, photos and updates from on the road, plus all the details on how to make a donation, and how to follow Sara via our Tracker page. Plus expect some surprises along the way!

You'll be able to listen to Sara's challenge by clicking or tapping the audio icon at the top of the page.

Or ask your smart speaker to play BBC Radio 2 - get more help with using smart speakers here.

You can also take Sara with you via the BBC Sounds app if you're on the move - if you've not downloaded it, here's some help in getting started.

In the meantime you can hear motivating music and messages from Sara's nearest and dearest in a special edition of Pace Setter available now on BBC Sounds.

Sara Cox hosts BBC Radio 2's teatime show, 4-7pm, Mondays to Fridays - including the Half-Wower mix (Mon to Thu) and All Request Friday. Sara also presents the Radio 2 Book Club podcast on BBC Sounds.

Born and raised in Bolton, Sara spent her early years on her father's farm, alongside her four siblings, before embarking on her hugely successful career in television and radio, and has been a regular presenter on Radio 2 since 2013.