BBC colleagues run 160 miles to replace injured presenter for charity

A BBC North West newsroom staff joined together to run 160 miles after a presenter suffered a foot injury that prevented them from completing a personal marathon challenge.

The presenter originally planned to run 26.2 miles over two weeks to raise money for the BBC Children in Need appeal. This charity supports more than 2,600 projects across the United Kingdom to help children and young people.

Although the presenter had been training for 18 months to lose weight and stay fit, a persistent foot problem forced them to stop their training in October. The presenter reached out to colleagues at the BBC North West newsroom to ask for help. More than 30 coworkers agreed to take on the challenge on the presenter's behalf. These colleagues ran across various locations including Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and Cumbria.

They navigated different terrains such as parks, paths, hills, bridges, and lanes to complete the goal. The group ultimately exceeded the original 26.2 mile target by running a total of 160 miles. The presenter noted that the collective effort reflected the spirit of the charity, which began in 1980. The fundraiser successfully gathered support for the appeal despite the physical setback.