Vernon Kay receives hero’s welcome as 115-mile ultramarathon enters Manchester

Vernon Kay became emotional as he was given a hero’s welcome on entering Manchester, as he completed the third leg of his ultramarathon for Children in Need.

The Radio 2 presenter walked his weary legs into Manchester where fans cheered and gave him a hero’s welcome yesterday (November 16th).

He’s taken on the challenge to raise money for Children in Need, starting the 115-mile journey on Tuesday November 14th, in Leicester, and has so far raised close to £4 million.

Thursday proved to be the toughest day as he tackled Kinder Scout in the Peak District before heading down through Stockport and into Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground – where a sea of supporters awaited to welcome him to Manchester.

The 49-year-old started the fourth and final sector of his 115-mile journey at 7am today (November 17th) as he left Emirates Old Trafford to make his way through Salford, Linnyshaw, Little Hulton and into his hometown of Bolton at Middlebrook.

He will cross the finish line at the Toughsheet Stadium, home to Bolton Wanderers, where Zoe Ball will be presenting live with a huge crowd of welcoming supporters.

On Thursday, his long journey took him through the Hope Valley in Derbyshire, over Kinder Scout and into Stockport at Mellor and Marple Bridge. Crowds cheered as the weary marathoner took a much needed rest and enjoyed a chip butty during a pub pit stop.

As the presenter tackled Kinder Scout he looked tired and emotional as the group had to navigate a slightly different route due to weather and conditions, which added an extra mile to the journey.

As he finally conquered the toughest part so far, Kay said he was ‘done’ and had ‘no energy left’ as he struggled to lift his arm and high-five waiting fans.

As he recovered from the mammoth trek, he continued: “I know people were saying Kinder’s a brave thing to do on any normal day, but we’ve done that which was nearly 14 miles and now we’ve got another 16 to go.

“The difference is, it seems to be, that everything we’ve done so far – the 60-odd mile we’ve done so far has been all at the back of the legs with the running, and now that was just a big heavy push up and then a stride over the top, the plateau, and then down was just horrific because you’ve got to watch your feet.

“So, everyone’s saying ‘the beautiful views’, I haven’t seen anything, I’m just staring at my feet – It’s the worst thing.

“That’s worse than yesterday’s 40 miles…. That is the worst thing ever. If you were to say to me we’re gonna do 40 miles and we’re gonna run it I’d say never in a million years, and we did that yesterday and then I thought that Kinder would have been a relatively easier day.

“Kinder the killer… I’m done, I’ve got no energy left. I’ve got to take my boots off, my toes are killing me. I need to refuel because people were giving me a high-five but I couldn’t even lift my arm up.”

Family and fans called in to send messages of support over the radio including Kay’s wife Tess Daly, who said: “Oh my goodness, it’s been emotional hasn’t it today?”

“My nerves are shredded because I, literally I can’t do anything else I’m just listening to the radio and just waiting for news. And waiting to hear from you.”

Telling him how proud she and his daughters are of him she added: “Honestly we are so so proud of you at home Vern. I meant it’s all we talk about honestly, it’s all we talk about. And it’s hard to impress teenagers but you’ve done it yeah safe to say.”

On Friday (November 17th), well wishers can spur him on throughout his route and wait to welcome him as he completes the 11-miles as he crosses the finish line in Bolton and finds out how much his efforts have raised for Children in Need.

All the proceeds raised from the challenge will go towards supporting children and young people across the UK who are facing a range of issues.

At the time of writing he’s managed to raise a massive £3,750,475.

If you would like to watch or keep up-to-date with Vernon Kay’s Children in Need challenge, you can do so by clicking HERE.