Sara Cox battles exhaustion to wow crowds in Killinghall and Beckwithshaw

This article is free to read. We publish about 100 articles a week all exclusively focused on local news. Please support independent local journalism by subscribing here. It costs as little as 14p a day.

She emerged in the cold drizzle and half-light just before 8am this morning (November 14) looking absolutely shattered.

Sara Cox was leaving Ripley, which gave her a huge welcome last night, on the final day of her 135-mile fundraising challenge for BBC Children in Need.

A cyclist from Skipton, who travelled to Harrogate yesterday to support her, said “she looked totally exhausted” when she arrived in Ripley. “I was worried for her. I can’t believe she’s managed to get going again.”

The Radio 2 presenter looked resolute as she set off out the village and along the A61 Ripon Road towards Killinghall. Only another 25 or so miles to Pudsey, the destination she is heading to with Pudsey Bear on her back.

As her distinctive running style came into view approaching Killinghall, people cheered her on — but not that many. Precise timings have been tricky on such a unique adventure despite the online Sara Tracker.

With support runners and a police convoy in tow, she was able to run on the road, and soon traffic was backing up on the A61 as she strode into Killinghall. She turned right on to Otley Road quicker than any vehicle manages during Friday rush hour.

We joined other cyclists who had come to watch by nipping down Maltkiln Lane and Crag Lane to emerge alongside Killinghall Church of England Primary School where pupils held banners. You can see a video of her passing the school on our Facebook page here.

Somehow Sara managed a cheerful wave as she ran by and then she vanished in the distance towards Beckwithshaw, the hilly joys of Pot Bank and Wharfedale awaiting.

A lorry driver stuck in traffic behind the convoy wound down his window to ask what the fuss is about. “Sara Cox,” we said. “Who?” he replied. “Don’t you watch the news?” “Nah.”

Harrogate mayor Chris Aldred, a keen runner, tried to join Sara for a stretch in Beckwithshaw but although her support team seemed keen at first it failed to happen, probably due to exhaustion. Councillor Aldred, wearing a Harrogate Town shirt, consoled himself with a hug from Pudsey Bear and joined the crowd cheering her on.

By now the total had reached £6 million. Sara’s run has won the hearts of the nation, and the Harrogate district was fortunate to be at the heart of it.

You can donate to Sara's appeal here.