Children In Need viewers were left sobbing as Sara Cox revealed the heartbreaking truth behind her record-breaking running challenge.

The broadcaster, 50, completed a mammoth 135 mile journey – five marathons in five days – for the charity.

She ultimately raised an incredible final total of £10,169,084 for charity.

A TV crew followed Sara’s journey for a behind-the-scenes appeal film, Sara Cox: Every Step of the Way for Children In Need, which aired on BBC One on Wednesday.

It saw her open up about the family tragedy that inspired her to take on the gruelling task.

Sara shared: ‘My brother David died really suddenly in 2019 and it really completely destroyed all the family like it came out of nowhere and he was a real athlete, he ran countless iron man competitions – he was proper.

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Sara Cox opened up about completing a mammoth 135-mile running challenge for Children In Need

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She has received congratulations from all sorts of public figures from Prince William to Stormzy

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Sara revealed the heartbreaking truth behind taking on the gruelling task – five marathons in five days

‘I don’t think he’d be able to believe I’m doing this, I think he’d be super proud. I’m hoping that I’ve just got a bit of strength from him today.’

Meanwhile, Sara broke down in tears as she listened to audio recordings of families sharing their personal stories.

One fan penned online: ‘I have always admired #Saracox. But this really is just simply amazing.’

Another commented: ’14 minutes in and already bawling Sara Cox: Every Step Of The Way. Amazing lady.’

Speaking on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Scott Mills on Monday, Sara said of the challenge: ‘It was a lot tougher than I ever expected and the recovery was much tougher.

‘I don’t know what I was thinking. I was thinking ‘oh I will get home and Saturday and Sunday I will probably just take the dogs for a gentle walk’. I can’t really walk!’

Scott told Sara that his heart ‘broke’ for her on Friday evening when he saw her wearing a pair of Crocs after completing the challenge.

Referencing her sore and swollen feet from the run, Sara said: ‘I had to put the Crocs on and even that was a squeeze.

‘I had to really wrestle my Crocs on because my feet have a lot of fluid on them and you know…

‘You know when you have the flu and at the end you make a brew and you are wiped out? I am like that.’

The DJ travelled through Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire on her journey, while carrying a Pudsey Bear backpack.

Sara crossed the finish line in Pudsey, West Yorkshire, on Friday, therefore the Great Northern Marathon Challenge for Children in Need.

After crossing the finish line, Sara revealed to Scott Mills and Radio 2 listeners that music got her through the challenge: ‘I would like to thank Chase and Status and Stormzy for Backbone.

‘And I’d like to apologise to my son because on telly, if it stays on the documentary, I am singing that song quite a lot and it’s so cringe.

‘So I am so sorry to my kids. We spend a lot of time playing brilliant music on Radio 2… I was singing along at one point like a mad woman, singing along to Blur, and all sorts just to try and push through.’

Public figures also showed their support, including Prince William, who recorded a video message played by Scott on his Radio 2 breakfast show.

He said: ‘Sara, massive congratulations for what you’re doing.

‘You’re so nearly there, just a little bit further, and I know the people of Pudsey will all come out and welcome you with huge open arms, big hugs, and hopefully, lots of your favourite crumpets.

‘Keep going, you’ve done fantastically well, and the nation’s so proud of you.’

Scott said: ‘You weren’t expecting Prince William on Friday were you?’

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Sara’s brother David passed away back in 2019

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She raised a final total of £10,169,084 for Children in Need it was revealed live on BBC Radio 2 Breakfast on Monday morning

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The Breakfast Show host Scott Mills, 51, shared the news with listeners as Sara, 50, thanked them for donating to raise money for charity

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Sara broke down in tears after hearing audio recordings of families sharing their stories

Sara replied: ‘I think I said ‘big up your bad self’ to the future king, can I apologise now? It was lovely, it was amazing.’

Elsewhere, the DJ addressed having raised a whopping £10 million throughout her challenge.

Sara said: ‘Our £10 million is the fivers, tenners, and twenties of Radio 2 listeners and Children in Need supporters, who have each individually given their hard-earned cash. It means the absolute world’.

She added: ‘I want to dedicate it to every child that’s been helped by a Children in Need project.

‘I want to dedicate to any child who’s been teased for having wonky legs or walking or running funny. Like I always was at school.’

Stormzy also sent Sara a message celebrating her triumphant 135-mile Great Northern Marathon Challenge: ‘Hey Sara, what’s going on, it’s Stormzy here.

‘Just wanted to say a big congratulations to you for completing 5 marathons in 5 days, which is just insane.

‘And it is five more marathons than I’ve done in my life so again massive congrats, and salute to you for raising all that money for such a beautiful wonderful cause. We’re all very proud of you. God bless you and take care, lots of love.’

Reacting to the moving message, Sara said: ‘That’s so amazing. Thank you so much. That’s a lovely surprise. I don’t normally like surprises. That’s amazing.

‘He completely… his voice got me through. His voice got me through on his Chase & Status track on Backbone, I was just rapping along to that. I do apologise, if that makes it into Wednesday’s documentary.’