SARA Cox has enjoyed an amazing career as a host since joining BBC Radio One in the ’nineties.
The much-loved star is also known for her charity work, and is taking on her Great Northern Marathon Challenge for Children in Need 2025.
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Sara and Pudsey are due to arrive in the bear’s hometown on Friday, November 15, 2025
They set off on the huge challenge for Children in Need on November 10, 2025
Who is Sara Cox?
Sara Cox was born in Bolton on December 13, 1974.
She pursued a career in modelling after finishing her studies at Canon Slate School.
Sara landed her first major TV role on The Girly Show in 1996 after appearing in the OMD music video for Everyday.
She’s best known for her radio career, joining BBC Radio One in the ’nineties.
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Alongside Emma Boughton, Sara fronted the Sunday Surgery show with Dr Mark Hamilton.
She later landed the Breakfast Show presenter job in the early ’noughties.
Sara hosted her final early morning slot in 2003, leaving the job behind by playing the track: “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”.
She currently hosts the afternoon drivetime show on BBC Radio Two from 4pm on weekdays.
Sara has been with her advertising executive husband Ben Cyzer for almost two decades, having met in 2006.
Ben became the managing partner and strategy director for MPC – a leading film and production company – in his last known career move.
How many children does Sara Cox have?
Sara Cox has three children – two daughters and a son.
Her first daughter, Lola Anne Carter, born in 2004, came from her marriage to first husband DJ Jon Carter.
Following their separation, she married Ben, with whom she shares son Isaac and daughter Renee.
Isaac was born in 2008, and Renee followed in 2010.
People will hopefully support and come out and donate to Children In Need, that’s the most important thing – that’s what we’re focusing on, not the drizzle
Sara Cox,
What is Sara Cox’s marathon challenge?
For her Great Northern Marathon Challenge for Children in Need, Sara is covering 135 miles on foot across four counties – Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.
The total distance is the equivalent of completing a whopping five marathons in five days.
Carrying Pudsey on a symbolic journey from border to heartland, she will run, jog and walk through the beautiful and challenging landscape of northern England.
Her adventure kicked off at 8.20am on Monday, November 10, 2025, from Kielder Forest on the Scottish border.
From there she made her way through Northumberland National Park, following the River North Tyne through the small villages of Bellingham, Wark and Humshaugh, before crossing Hadrian’s Wall.
She finished the first leg in the market town of Hexham, having completed 27 miles of the challenge, leaving her with over a hundred miles to go.
Sara’s aiming to finish in Pudsey near Leeds on the afternoon of Friday, November 14, 2025.
Here’s a full breakdown of the full five-day route:
Day 1: Kielder Forest to Hexham
- Starts in Kielder Forest, Northumberland National Park.
- Follows the River North Tyne through villages including Bellingham, Wark and Humshaugh.
- Crosses historic Hadrian’s Wall.
- Finishes in the market town of Hexham.
Day 2: Hexham to Durham
- Leaves Hexham heading southeast through Northumberland’s rolling hills.
- Passes through Corbridge and other small towns along the River Tyne.
- Ends the day in the cathedral city of Durham.
Day 3: Durham to Northallerton
- Heads south from Durham crossing through rural villages in County Durham.
- Enters North Yorkshire, traversing moorlands and farmland.
- Finishes the day in the market town of Northallerton, a gateway to the Yorkshire Dales.
Day 4: Northallerton to Harrogate
- Travels southwest into the heart of North Yorkshire.
- Heads through moors and picturesque villages, climbing hills and traversing some of the challenge’s toughest physical tests.
- Ends the day in the spa town of Harrogate.
Day 5: Harrogate to Pudsey, Leeds
- Leaves Harrogate, passing through smaller towns including Otley and Headingley.
- The route follows suburban and rural roads into West Yorkshire.
- Finishes in Pudsey, near Leeds – the home of Pudsey Bear.
When asked by BBC Breakfast if she came up with the idea for the 135-mile Great Northern Marathon Challenge, Sara said: “Did I, heck!?
“It’s quite a long way to be travelling on my own two feet! People will hopefully support and come out and donate to Children In Need, that’s the most important thing – that’s what we’re focusing on, not the drizzle.”
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And reflecting on the incredible achievements of BBC Radio Two colleagues Paddy McGuinness and Vernon Kay in years past, Sara added: “It’s a terrifying privilege, it’s a terrifying, scary, very tiring privilege to do this… so I’ve trained hard and I’m ready for it.
“You have no choice but to say yes because it’s a chance to raise lots of money and change lives.”
