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“My mind’s telling me yes, but my body, my body’s telling me NO!”
After a gruelling day yesterday that saw him pulled from icy water and struggling to move, BBC Radio 1 DJ and presenter Greg James is now on day four of his Sport Relief Challenge, in Sheffield. This mammoth challenge sees him attempt to run, swim and cycle a triathlon a day for five consecutive days, across five UK cities.
Travel issues from Glasgow to Sheffield last night meant Greg only had a few hours’ sleep before setting off on his cycle this morning. With his leg muscles seizing up from fatigue and the biting cold, and with his feet strapped into his pedals, he struggled to keep his balance on the bike and took a fall at the side of the road. Fortunately, Greg was unharmed from the tumble and jumping straight back on the bike he was on his way again in seconds. [pictured on Instagram(opens in new window) and video download here(opens in new window)]
He’ll follow his cycle with an indoor swim and a run through Sheffield city centre to the studio where he will present this afternoon’s show. Not only will he be dealing with ever-increasing agony from aching joints and muscle damage but chronic tiredness is now starting to make everything that bit harder. Helping him along today will be fellow Radio 1 DJ and presenter Nick Grimshaw joining for his run and singer Example who will swim with him.
Greg has now clocked up over 150 miles, wading through freezing open waters, cycling up steep hills and running across icy ground. Yesterday Greg covered over 50 miles, tackling a 900m swim in bracing outdoor waters, a 41 mile cycle and a 9 mile run. He was joined by ex- Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt for the final leg of his run yesterday.
Kimberly said “I can’t believe how much Greg has done and how much money he’s raised. It’s absolutely phenomenal. To jump into this run was quite the feat for me but Greg was so chatty - even after the day he had- we had some great conversation for four solid miles”.
As of 9.45am BBC Radio 1’s Gregathlon for Sport Relief had raised £308,940.
As he set off this morning Greg said "We had the worst journey last night from Glasgow to Sheffield. What was supposed to be a four hour journey turned into seven, so I've only had four hours sleep. The challenge has been harder than I thought, it's been exhausting travelling from city to city. It's been great having some guests come up and see me though, it'll be so nice having Grimmy and Example with me today. Even though my body is saying ‘please stop’, there is no way I'm giving in. I'm in the zone, even if my legs are not. I think they might still be in Belfast. I'm hanging on by a thread. I really need everyone's help and support to get through the next two days."
Keeping the momentum going each day will undoubtedly take its toll but, having seen first-hand how the money is used to make a difference, Greg is determined to raise as much cash as possible for Sport Relief and to inspire the nation to do their bit and get involved. In January Greg travelled to Jordan to meet displaced families living in desperate conditions. He visited a nursery within the Azraq refugee camp and saw how Comic Relief funding is helping to give young children back their childhoods. The money raised through Sport Relief could help more children like these get a vital education, and support their families to maintain a crucial sense of community.
The incredible feat kicked off in Belfast on Monday 8th February, and Radio 1 listeners will be able to track Greg as he broadcasts his Radio 1 show (from 4pm) from a new Sport Relief Flagship Games City every day, criss-crossing his way around the nation via Cardiff, Glasgow and Sheffield before storming across the finish line in Norwich on Friday 12th February. He will also be encouraging the public to do their bit at home and sign up to the Sport Relief Games, taking place Friday 18th to Sunday 20th March.
Greg needs the public’s support to keep him going as he takes on his Gregathlon. Donate £3 by texting GREG to 70703* or sponsor him at sportrelief.com/SponsorGreg
Get going like Greg! Walk, run, swim or cycle yourself proud at the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th March. There are thousands of events across the UK with flagship Games in Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow, Sheffield, Norwich and London. Find your nearest event at sportrelief.com and sign up now!
Money raised from The Gregathlon will be spent helping people living unimaginably tough lives, with half of the money raised used to make a difference right here in the UK. The other half is used to transform lives across the world’s poorest communities.
ENDS
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Red Nose Day Media Team:020 7820 2500media@comicrelief.com(opens in new window)Press area07984510473 (out of hours only)
About Comic Relief
Comic Relief is a UK charity which aim to create a just world, free from poverty – where everyone is safe, healthy, educated and empowered. Since 1985, Comic Relief has raised over £1 billion. That money has helped, and is helping, people living incredible tough lives, both here at home in the UK and across the world.
For information about Comic Relief and the work it carries out, please visit comicrelief.com.
Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland).
For the latest news, statements and exclusive content direct from the Comic Relief Press Office follow @ComicReliefNews(opens in new window).
