The Scott Mills Breakfast Show was drenched in Northern spirit — and actual rain — as Sara Cox battled brutal weather, endless hills, and driving wind.
“I’m soaked to the bone, Scott — it’s grim right now!”
“Five days, 135 miles — taking Pudsey back to Pudsey!”
“If you need me, call me, no matter where you are — I’ll be there when you want me, someway, somehow!”
🌧️ Sara Cox’s Great Northern Marathon Challenge: Day Two
The Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 was drenched in Northern spirit — and actual rain — as Sara Cox battled brutal weather, endless hills, and driving wind on day two of her Great Northern Marathon Challenge for BBC Children in Need.
From Hexham to Wolsingham, Sara powered on, soaked through and shivering, but still cracking jokes and flashing smiles to everyone cheering her on. In the studio, Scott, Tina, and Ellie kept her spirits alive with constant updates, listener messages, and the occasional perfectly timed anthem.
🏃♀️ “Keep Ganning, Lass!” — The Rain-Soaked Send-Off
Scott spoke to Sara live from a “rainy car park of an athletics track” at the start line. There were kids in rugs, soaked dogs, and supporters waving signs like “You’ve got this, Sara — keep ganning, lass!”
Sara admitted she was feeling “really nervous” as she stretched in the drizzle, saying, “I feel like my anxiety is really high. Everyone’s asking what’s hurting — and, yeah, it’s everything!”
She laughed through it, though: “Anne had some magic water and I thought she’d sprinkle it on the ground — but she whazzed it straight in my eyes!”
Town crier Helen gave the official send-off — “Five days, 135 miles, taking Pudsey back to Pudsey!” — before Charlotte blasted the horn and Sara was off into the storm.
☔ “It’s Grim Right Now” — Sara’s Hardest Morning Yet
Later, Scott heard from one of her crew: “It’s grim today — cold, soaking, and the rain’s icy.”
When Sara called in, she didn’t hold back:
“It’s really grim, Scott. I’m like the tin man; everything’s seizing up. It’s hill after hill — you go down, then straight back up again. I can’t get a rhythm.”
She said locals shouting encouragement — “Keep ganning, lass!” — helped keep her going. Scott gave her the latest total raised: an incredible £331,278, and even through exhaustion, her joy was real: “Oh my gosh… that’s amazing! Thank you so much — every penny’s going to change lives!”
💬 Listeners Rally Behind “Our Sara”
The nation got behind her. Michelle in Cobham wrote she was “in awe of this lovely lady.” Judith and Paul texted from Hexham: “We gave her a massive oi oi as she set off!” And Rebecca the vet promised to “cheer her on later from horseback in Stanhope.”
Even the fishmonger joined in. David in Hexham, standing among his cod and halibut, told Scott: “She came up Hall Style Bank with a big smile. She’s a young girl, she’ll be used to it.” His deadpan northern tone cracked up the whole studio.
Meanwhile, messages poured in from across the world — including JJ and Russell from New South Wales: “We’re in awe of Sara Cox!”.
🎶 The Soundtrack of Strength
Scott kept Sara moving with perfectly chosen tunes: “The Only Way Is Up”, Melanie C’s “Sweat”, and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” all blasted through the morning.
Then came a surprise message from Jane McDonald, who went full cruise-ship diva, dramatically singing lines from “Never Forget” by Take That:
“Keep going, darling… someday soon this will all be someone else’s dream!”
By the time Adele’s “Make You Feel My Love” played, listeners were in tears and the donation line lit up all over again.
💛 Why Sara’s Doing It
Scott reminded everyone why she’s out there. The money raised goes to projects like St Clare’s Hospice, which offers bereavement support to children like Gracie, who lost her dad to cancer.
Gracie said, “They taught me it’s not always about crying — sometimes it’s about smiling and living your best life.”
Sara told Scott she’s doing it “for every kid who’s ever felt self-conscious.” She remembered being teased at school for her legs: “I’d never even walk in front of people, let alone run. So this is for all the kids who’ve ever been picked last.”
🕘 The Handover
By the time Vernon Kay took over, the rain was relentless but the mood was high.
“Over £300 grand already — amazing!” he said. “That’s Radio 2 at its best: everyone pulling together.”
Scott agreed: “She’s soaked, bunged up, and facing another massive hill, but she’ll crack on — she’s northern.”
And Vernon summed it up perfectly: “It’s sleety, it’s freezing, but Sara will dig in. She’s built for this.”
🌟 Donate to Sara’s Great Northern Marathon Challenge:
Text 10, 20, or 30 to 70710, or head to bbc.co.uk/sara.
Every pound keeps Sara running — and changes lives for children across the UK.
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