Vernon Kay has raised more than £4 million for Children in Need after completing his Ultra Ultramarathon Challenge.
Vernon Kay has raised 4 million for Children in Need after completing Ultra Ultramarathon Challenge
The BBC Radio 2 presenter, 49, ran 116 miles from Leicester to Bolton over four days, and he described it as "one of the most painful and joyous experiences I've ever had" just moments after he crossed the finish line at Bolton Wanderers' Toughsheet Community Stadium on Friday morning (17.11.23).
Speaking to Radio 2 breakfast host Zoe Ball, he said: "I'm absolutely exhausted, absolutely spent, physically, mentally.
"It's been one of the most painful and joyous experiences I've ever had. People we've met along away. We've met some brilliant people who've donated all they can.
"It was just one foot in front of the other, that's what it was, and we've had a great team who've been absolutely brilliant, pushing me along and motivating me."
He also joked: "Is there anyone here who can replace a knee."
Vernon was fortunate with the weather during the majority of his brutal challenge, but it started raining just eight miles from the finish line.
He added: "We get to God's country, the beautiful sun is rising as I turn to my left and the rain is falling at a constant pace, I can't believe it. Can you believe it? We've done all them miles and we get eight miles away from Bolton and it starts chucking it down."
On Thursday (16.11.23), Vernon admitted he was "absolutely shattered" after he completed more than 40 miles on Wednesday (15.11.23).
He told Zoe: "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.' "
BBC Children in Need airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7pm on Friday 17th November.
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