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Jamie Laing was joined by BBC Radio 1 hosts and friends Greg James, Matt Edmondson and Charlie Hedges in a special send-off show on Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James
Friends and family including wife Sophie Habboo joined Jamie as he set off on the biggest endurance challenge of his life
Jamie was joined by a flash mob of runners in Hyde Park from one of Comic Relief’s funded partners, The Running Charity, who were all dressed like the presenter
From Monday 17 March to Friday 21 March, Jamie will attempt to run across England, setting off from the home of Radio 1 in London and crossing the finish line in Salford, ahead of Red Nose Day’s night of TV
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 21st March
For more information and to support Jamie, visit: comicrelief.com/ultra
Monday 17 March: BBC Radio 1’s Jamie Laing set off on the biggest physical and psychological endurance test of his life this morning, heading off from London on his 150-mile 5-day-stretch to Salford. Jamie was surrounded by friends and family as he left BBC’s New Broadcasting House, including his wife Sophie Habboo and fellow Radio 1 hosts, Greg James and Charlie Hedges.
Jamie was sent on his way with a very special show on BBC Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James, who offered words of wisdom from his own challenge before sending him down to the start line. He was also cheered off the start line by Goodwork, a Comic Relief funded partner.
The first stop on the 150-mile journey was through Hyde Park, where Jamie was surprised by fellow Radio 1 DJ Matt Edmondson, along with a flash mob of runners who were dressed in Red Nose Day vests, bleach blonde wigs and Jamie Laing face masks. The lookalikes included Radio 1 DJ’s Sam and Danni, as well as representatives from The Running Charity, an independent charity that Comic Relief supports who harness the power of running to support young people who are experiencing homelessness or manage complex needs.
Day one of Radio 1's Ultra Marathon Man: with Jamie Laing for Red Nose Day will see Jamie navigate through the busy streets of London heading north towards Harpenden, passing through towns such as Borehamwood and St Albans.
Jamie said: “Wow, we’re here. The day is finally here. I’m anxious and excited. Having my wife, friends and colleagues here is an overwhelming boost and I know the listeners at home are cheering me on too. Greg said something great to me, he said ‘just let the adventure come to you’ and that’s what I’m going to keep in my mind throughout today. I had the honour of seeing firsthand some of the great work that Comic Relief’s funding provides recently when I met the amazing people at Empire Fighting Chance in Bristol – so knowing I’m doing this for them and so many others is really what’s keeping me going. There’s even some projects here this morning to see me off which is amazing, I can’t wait to meet even more along the route.”
The route will see Jamie run through cities, towns and villages where Comic Relief-funded partners are providing essential support in local communities to those who need it most .
Felicity Halstead, CEO of Comic Relief funded partner Goodwork, said: "We're delighted to be here to support Jamie's Ultra Marathon Man challenge which will be raising funds for Comic Relief. As a funded partner ourselves, donations make a huge difference to small organisations like GoodWork, allowing us to empower more young people from low income backgrounds to access great employment opportunities and set them up for success. It's a fantastic opportunity for our young people to visit the BBC today and we're looking forward to cheering Jamie on now, and throughout his challenge!"
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 that 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.
To support Jamie, go to comicrelief.com/ultra
ENDS
ASSETS AVAILABLE
Photos of Jamie setting off on his journey as well as being joined by runner lookalikes in Hyde Park here(opens in new window)
Wider selection of Getty photography available here(opens in new window)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Emily McCormick
07487582054
e.mccormick@comicrelief.com
Out of hours enquiries: 0207 820 2444
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 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 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 (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok for the latest content and news.
Comic Relief is the operating name of Charity Projects, registered charity in England & Wales (326568) and Scotland (SC039730).
