Vernon Kay Ultramarathon challenge LIVE — Total raised for Children in Need revealed as Radio 2 star left ‘speechless’
BIG-HEARTED Vernon Kay has raised over £5million for BBC Children in Need following Ultramarathon.
In total, he travelled over 115 miles. Kay kicked off his ultramarathon for BBC Children in Need at 9am on Tuesday and completed the marathon on Friday.
The challenge started in Victoria Park in Leicester, and ended in the his hometown of Bolton where he was given a hero's welcome.
Speaking to Alex Scott during Children In Need, Vernon was left "speechless" after being told the new total raised for charity.
The star has now raised over £5,00,000 since the start of the challenge.
Follow our live blog below for the latest news and updates...
Veron has raised over £1.88 million!
The BBC has just revealed the latest donation numbers for Veron Kay's Children In Need ultramarathon.
The star has raised a staggering £1,881,142!
Keep going Vernon!
What is Children In Need?
Children In Need is the BBC's UK charity which aims to support disadvantaged children and young people.
Since it began, the annual televised appeals have raised a whopping £1.5billion.
The mascot is Pudsey the bear who is yellow with a polka-dot bandage covering one eye.
How to support Vernon Kay as race raises over £1,600,000
Vernon is well into the third day of his ultramarathon and still going strong.
He has now raised over £1,600,000 and counting for Children In Need.
If you’d like to support his epic journey you can do so with a text donation –
Vernon 'hits the wall'
Vernon Kay "hit the wall" this afternoon as he continued his quest to finish an ultramarathon for Children In Need.
The BBC star revealed his struggles in a video update on Instagram, explaining how needed to just stop and "have a cry."
Watch the update below.
A tough morning
Vernon has said this morning was tougher than usual, as his muscles took a while to warm up.
Speaking to the BBC he said: “Tough one this morning. I’ve just been talking to Tess on the phone. Physically it takes a while for your muscles to warm up.
"But today it took more than usual to get the brain going – and to get my brain in positive gear, not down in the dumps gear.”
Vernon describes fitness struggles as he approaches 70 miles
Speaking this morning, Vernon Kay outlined some of the fitness struggles he is facing on day three of his ultramarathon.
He told the BBC: "I've got achilles heel now, on the left side.
"The legs are really really stiff.
"They're just rock solid. Nick's been massaging my calves, thighs, hamstrings, quads. It's just keeping them loose, keeping the circulation going."
How Vernon Kay channelled his inner Forrest Gump to prepare for challenge of a lifetime
Speaking just before he set off, Vernon told his Radio 2 listeners his preparation routine for the epic journey ahead.
He said: “I’ve just been running. I’ve been doing my finest Forrest Gump impression.
“Lots of miles under the belt, different tempos.
“I’ve been doing long runs at a slow pace, short runs and a fast rate, and a fast run at a slow rate, and a long run at a fast pace.
” I’ve done lots of stretching, oh crikey. Do you remember that toy in the 70s and 80s Stretch Armstrong? I feel like that.”
Vernon’s mum and dad surprise him on air
Vernon was surprised with a phone call from him mum and dad live on the radio last night.
The gave him support to carry on the epic challenge.
Vernon’s mum said: “Give my love to all those people around you that are keeping you standing up…Get some rest. Keep it up.”
Vernon reveals how his game plan went yesterday
Before setting off yesterday morning, Vernon claimed he would walk for 40 minutes and then run for 40 minutes and so on.
However, during the gruelling 40 miles yesterday, Vernon said: “‘I did promise myself that I would walk 40 [minutes], run 40 [minutes], walk 40, run 40 minutes but, I’m not just saying this, and it sounds really soppy, but the fact that people are taking time out of their busy schedules to come and stand by the road and whoop and holler and cheer and put money in the buckets… I walked for 20 minutes and I’ve run the last 12 miles because it’s so inspiring!
“Knowing that people are wishing me good luck and I think for me psychologically if they are wishing me good luck and I’m walking it’s not really a challenge.
“So the challenge for me personally for Children in Need is to see if I can jog this. And 40 miles… it’s a long way.”
What else do we know about Vernon Kay’s challenge?
During the challenge, Kay’s fellow Radio 2 presenters will be offering the star lots of support on their own shows, and keeping him motivated and spurred on with messages from the listeners.
Vernon will also be broadcasting his own weekday morning show live while undertaking the challenge.
He’ll be joined on his journey by a variety of special guests to keep him going.
How to support Vernon Kay as race raises over £1,600,000
Vernon is well into the third day of his ultramarathon and still going strong.
He has now raised over £1,600,000 and counting for Children In Need.
If you’d like to support his epic journey you can do so with a text donation –
What did Vernon say this morning?
Speaking on BBC Radio 2, Vernon said: "It was an interesting one yesterday because I was absolutely shattered after the 40 miles and then I came in and then there’s obviously… your body pumps itself full of adrenaline when you see everyone smiling and clapping and cheering, and whooping and hollering.
"And then there’s that lull, where you just sit down and you kind of slowly take it all in and try and compute what’s happened and then I got into my bedroom and I just literally collapsed on the bed!
"And this morning, I couldn’t wake up and I felt really a bit, I said to the gang, I said “I feel sick this morning, I feel a bit light-headed, stomachs not the best”, and they were like “oh it’s to be expected, because of everything that you’ve done.”"
How do I keep track of Vernon Kay’s ultramarathon route?
As Vernon takes on his ultramarathon, his fans will be able to keep up-to-date with his progress on .
The challenge will be broadcast live on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, with video highlights and further coverage on the broadcaster’s social channels.
During the challenge, Vernon’s fellow Radio 2 presenters will be offering the brave star lots of support on their own shows, and keeping him motivated and spurred on with messages from the listeners.
Vernon will also be broadcasting his own weekday morning show live whilst undertaking the challenge.
He’ll be joined on his journey by a variety of special guests to keep him going.
Who is Tess Daly?
Tess Daly was born Helen Daly on April 27, 1969, in Stockport, Cheshire, and grew up in Derbyshire.
She lives in Fulmer, Buckinghamshire, with husband Vernon Kay.
Tess has a younger sister called Karen, who Tess was out shopping with when she was spotted by a modelling headhunter, at the age of 18.
Her career as a model saw her live in many countries and she was based in Paris and New York for five years each.
Tess began presenting BBC One’s dance contest Strictly back in 2004, and was joined by co-host Bruce Forsyth for ten years.
Then in 2014 he retired from the programme to be replaced by Claudia Winkleman, who remains as Tess’ partner to this day.
Over £1.3million raised
Vernon Kay is smashing his fundraiser!
As he kicks off day three, it was revealed that Vernon and his team have raised a huge £1,391,768 for Children In Need.
Today's route revealed
Vernon Kay left Hope earlier this morning.
He is heading towards and up to the top of Kinder Scout, before coming back down through Hayfield.
He'll gradually move west through Mellor and Marple before reaching Stockport.
Vernon will finish the third leg of the Ultramarathon at Old Trafford cricket ground.
How to support Vernon Kay as race raises over £1,200,000
Vernon is well into the third day of his ultramarathon and still going strong.
He has now raised over £1,200,000 and counting for Children In Need.
If you’d like to support his epic journey you can do so with a text donation –
Calvin Harris cheers Vernon on
Appearing on BBC Radio 2 yesterday, DJ Calvin Harris shared his support for Vernon Kay’s mammoth journey.
He told the Radio station: “It’s an unbelievable effort. The lad’s knees will be killing him!
“I’m proud of you, man!”
When does Vernon Kay’s ultramarathon finish?
Vernon’s huge challenge will take him four days to complete, in which he will run 115 miles.
He aims to complete his ultramarathon at around 9am on Friday (November 17, 2023), when he arrives at the Bolton Wanderers’ football stadium.
Vernon wants to complete the huge feat on this day to tie in with Children in Need appeal day.
You can also on his incredible challenge.
Vernon receives his marching orders
Today is Vernon's highest day.
He will leave Hope now and head towards Old Trafford cricket ground.
Vernon will be passing through Kinder Scout, moving west through Stockport.
Vernon 'collapsed into bed' last night
Speaking to Zoe on BBC Radio 2 this morning, Vernon revealed how he was feeling when he finished day two.
Vernon said: "I was absolutely shattered after the 40 miles...I got into my bedroom and literally collapsed."
When he got up this morning he said he was feeling "sick", but nothing was stopping him from eating a huge breakfast this morning including black puddings, bacon and sausages.
Vernon has received more than just support
Vernon said he'd been handed Bakewell tarts to fuel his journey, adding: “We've got several, we're saving then until later.
“A lovely lady just handed me a flask of hot vegetable soup
“I don't know how I'll get it back to her.”
Vernon reveals how his game plan went yesterday
Before setting off yesterday morning, Vernon claimed he would walk for 40 minutes and then run for 40 minutes and so on.
However, during the gruelling 40 miles yesterday, Vernon said: "‘I did promise myself that I would walk 40 [minutes], run 40 [minutes], walk 40, run 40 minutes but, I’m not just saying this, and it sounds really soppy, but the fact that people are taking time out of their busy schedules to come and stand by the road and whoop and holler and cheer and put money in the buckets… I walked for 20 minutes and I’ve run the last 12 miles because it’s so inspiring!
"Knowing that people are wishing me good luck and I think for me psychologically if they are wishing me good luck and I’m walking it’s not really a challenge.
"So the challenge for me personally for Children in Need is to see if I can jog this. And 40 miles… it’s a long way."
Vernon's mum and dad surprise him on air
Vernon was surprised with a phone call from him mum and dad live on the radio last night.
The gave him support to carry on the epic challenge.
Vernon's mum said: "Give my love to all those people around you that are keeping you standing up...Get some rest. Keep it up."
Over £1,000,000 raised for Children In Need!
Vernon Kay completed day two of his mammoth challenge yesterday evening.
The star completed a whopping 40 miles before 10pm when he finished the second leg in Hope.
When hearing the news of the latest grand total, Vernon screamed "One million, no way!".
