TODAY, a BBC presenter is continuing her huge 135-mile Great Northern Marathon Challenge, as she battles the elements all to raise money for Children in Need.
Sara Cox, presenter of the BBC Radio 2 drivetime show, is now into her second day of an ultramarathon challenge, in which she is aiming to complete five marathons over five days, before finishing in Pudsey, Leeds.
After covering over 26 miles between Kielder and Hexham yesterday (November 10), Sara now takes on her highest-elevation day, which includes a punishing 1,500-foot ascent up Bale Hill.
This morning, at around 8.20, Sara began her day two expedition in Hexham after being set off by the Hexham Town Crier, Helen Wearmouth.
"Hear ye, hear ye!," said Helen.
"Five days, 135 miles, taking Pudsey back to Pudsey! Keep going, Sara, the Nation's behind you! Ready?! Go!"
As of 11.45am today, the Bolton native has already passed through Linnels and Slaley. She still has to get through Blanchland, Townfield, Crawleyside, Stanhope and Frosterley before finishing at Wolisingham in County Durham.
Yesterday, along the way, Sara received a traditional welcome sung by The Song Reivers Choir, met Louis the Owl and his handler, Mandy, had her trainers blessed with magical well water, stopped at the Crown Inn, and was celebrated by schoolchildren and well-wishers.
So far, Sara has raised over £330k.
This morning, after hearing the latest total, Sara told BBC Radio 2: "To everyone messaging in to Radio 2, it's a real boost. Thank you so much.
"And the donations? This total is ridiculous so far. Thank you so much to everyone who's chipped in a fiver, a tenner, or even 20. Thank you, thank you.
"When I spoke to Scott and he gave me the latest total, I was gazelle-like after that... for about eight seconds, and then I re-trudged."
To donate, you can visit https://donate.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/sara
In a similar test last year, BBC Radio 2 presenter Paddy McGuinness raised £10.3 million for BBC Children in Need with his Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge.
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