BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay ran a total of 116 miles in his ULTRA ultramarathon challenge for Children in Need. The challenge ended on Friday 17th November taking 4 days to run from Leicester to Bolton.
Speaking to Radio 2 breakfast host Zoe Ball as he reached the finish line, Kay described it as “one of the most painful and joyous experiences I’ve ever had”.
“I’m absolutely exhausted, absolutely spent, physically, mentally,” Kay said as he crossed the finish line.
He added jokingly: “Is there anyone here who can replace a knee?
“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.”
On the following Monday Kay was told by BBC Radio 2 from presenter Gary Davies that the amount he’d raised had increased further to £5.84m.
“It’s just unbelievable. Who would have thought when we started, we’d have ended with £5.8m.”
Since then the amount raised has gone beyond the £6m mark.
Vernon added he is still struggling to process what he’s done. He said: “I’m still not processing it yet, when I get through the other side of the tunnel we’ll start to celebrate everything we’ve achieved, not just me running but Radio 2 and everyone who supported.”
In terms of his aches and pains, he said he’s been struggling with his knees and achilles pain after tackling Kinder Scout. He calls his third day across the Peak District his toughest day.
He said: “On Friday I started a load of pain in my achilles due to the hike over Kinder Scout. My head is like really foggy, I’m finding it hard to clearly process thoughts, I’m doing everything really slowly. I’m just physically and mentally draining.
It was a lot harder, the Kinder Scout day was the day that broke me physically and mentally.”
After Friday night’s finish, he admitted he spent Saturday mostly “in bed” but is having to keep up the walking to ensure his legs don’t seize up.
If you feel inspired by Vernon Kay’s ULTRA challenge you can still donate to Children in Need here.
