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Radio 1's Jamie Laing is going to be the Ultra Marathon Man for Red Nose Day as we see the host run more than 150 miles across five days from London to Salford
Starting in London on Monday 17 March, Jamie will run across England to the finish line in Salford on Friday 21 March ahead of Red Nose Day’s unmissable evening of entertainment
Jamie will be joined on the way by Radio 1’s Matt Edmondson and Charlie Hedges, as well as some very special guests
Money raised could help put food on plates and roofs over heads, keep little ones safe and help support families affected by conflict here in the UK and around the world
Red Nose Day returns on Friday 21 March
For more information and to support Jamie, visit: comicrelief.com/ultra(opens in new window)
Wednesday 12 February: This March, BBC Radio 1’s Jamie Laing will be put through his paces (and laces) in a mammoth ultra marathon challenge to help raise funds for Red Nose Day. Revealed on the Radio 1 Breakfast show with Greg James this morning, Jamie’s Laing-road to Red Nose Day will see him cover more than 150 miles in 5 days, in a bid to reach the Red Nose Day night of TV in Salford, on Friday 21 March.
Jamie’s greatest physical and psychological challenge yet kicks off on Monday 17 March during the Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Greg James (7am-10:30am) where he will be joined by his friends and family as he departs from central London and begins his monumental journey north. The route will see Jamie run through cities, towns and villages where Comic Relief-funded partners are providing essential support to those who need it most.
From there, Radio 1's Ultra Marathon Man: with Jamie Laing for Red Nose Day, will see Jamie conquering daily ultra-marathons throughout a 5-day stretch – pounding the pavement to complete his mission and cross the finish line in Salford live on his drivetime show, Going Home with Vick, Katie and Jamie, on Friday 21 March.
The whole of Radio 1 will be getting behind Jamie throughout the week, offering support and keeping him motivated with messages of encouragement from his loved ones and listeners. During his challenge, Jamie will also be joined by Radio 1’s roving reporters, Matt Edmondson and Charlie Hedges, as well as Vick Hope who will be there to meet him at the finish line each day.
As well as pushing himself to the limits physically, the challenge promises to be the ultimate test of Jamie’s mental endurance. With large parts of his journey faced alone, he will need to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving as he attempts to raise funds for incredible projects tackling causes close to his heart.
Jamie Laing said: "5 ultra marathons in 5 days? Let's go! I feel honoured to be taking part in this year's Radio 1 Challenge for Comic Relief. I haven't run properly since school, so to be faced with this challenge is pretty overwhelming, but I know the listeners will get me through! I just have to focus on putting one foot in front of the other.
I'm running from London to Salford to encourage conversations and awareness around mental health, anxiety and depression - something I have suffered with myself in the past. I wouldn't be where I am today without the help of others, so I want to thank everyone in advance for their support and donations.
I want to help raise as much money for Comic Relief as possible. The donations, however big or small, will help people everywhere get the basics that everyone needs to thrive, not merely survive – food, healthcare, education, a safe home, and a fair chance at life. Together, let's change the lives of others for good!"
Samir Patel, CEO of Comic Relief, said: “We couldn’t be more grateful for Jamie to be taking on this challenge for Red Nose Day. Comic Relief is celebrating its 40th year of going big, giving big, and feeling good and it doesn’t get bigger than this. People across the UK are facing impossible decisions every day just to get by, so the money raised from this challenge will really make a difference. No matter how tough it gets, we hope Jamie remembers just how much of a difference the money he is helping to raise is going to make all across the UK and the world – good luck Jamie, we can’t wait to cheer you on!"
Radio 1's Ultra Marathon Man: with Jamie Laing for Red Nose Day will be broadcast live on Radio 1 and BBC Sounds across the week, with video highlights on Radio 1’s social channels.
The money raised for Radio 1's Ultra Marathon Man: with Jamie Laing for Red Nose Day will provide vital funds for incredible projects that help children to be happier, families stronger, women safer, communities prouder and millions of lives fairer.
To support Jamie, go to comicrelief.com/ultra(opens in new window)
ENDS
ASSETS AVAILABLE
Photos of Jamie with Red Noses and running gear, as well as training shots can be found here(opens in new window)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Emily McCormick
07487582054
e.mccormick@comicrelief.com(opens in new window)
Out of hours enquiries: 0207 820 2444
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 (opens in new window)is the UK’s No.1 youth station, targeting 15 to 29 year-olds with a distinctive mix of new music and programmes focusing on issues affecting young people. The station is the soundtrack to young people's lives in the UK and has been for over 50 years.
About Red Nose Day
Red Nose Day is back on Friday 21 March 2025.
From hip shakers, cake bakers and joke makers to Red Nose wearers, t-shirt buyers and sofa-sitting givers, it’s that time of year to come together to support people in the UK and across the world who are facing the toughest times of their lives.
This Red Nose Day, there’s lots to be excited about as we begin to celebrate Comic Relief hitting the big 4-0 in 2025. With your help over the past 40 years, we’ve raised over £1.6 billion, supported over 100 million people, and had a great time doing it. So, this March, let’s all go big to help put food on plates, roofs over heads, keep little ones safe, and support families affected by conflict. Because when we all do a little something funny for money, giving gets bigger and bigger.
There are lots of ways to take part in Red Nose Day. Visit www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday(opens in new window) or follow @comicrelief on social media to find out more.
Red Nose Day is an initiative of Comic Relief.
About Comic Relief
Comic Relief is a UK charity that uses the power of entertainment and popular culture to work towards a vision of a just world free from poverty. We raise money to support organisations that are closest to the communities who can make change happen. We support work that will tackle the impact of poverty, injustice, conflict, and climate change in the UK and around the world.
Since launching in 1985, we have raised over £1.6 billion thanks to the huge generosity and kindness of the public and our partners. For more information on our work, visit www.comicrelief.com or follow @comicrelief on X(opens in new window) (formerly Twitter), Facebook(opens in new window), Instagram(opens in new window), LinkedIn(opens in new window) and TikTok(opens in new window) for the latest content and news.
Comic Relief is the operating name of Charity Projects, registered charity in England & Wales (326568) and Scotland (SC039730).
