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BBC Radio 1’s Greg James takes on epic five day challenge for Sport Relief 2016
BBC Radio 1 DJ and Presenter Greg James will be taking on The Radio 1 Gregathlon for Sport Relief, showing the lengths he’s prepared to go to for the charity as he attempts to complete a triathlon a day for five consecutive days and around five different UK cities. Announced at the National Television Awards last night, this gruelling target means he’s covering over 50 miles a day, a supreme effort in the middle of winter.
Not content with having a go at just one sport, Greg is arguably facing his toughest challenge yet with a total incline climb of 16,888ft, whilst running and cycling, plus swimming around a mile a day in freezing outdoor and indoor conditions. Despite his training, keeping the momentum going each day will undoubtedly take its toll as he aims to raise as much cash as possible for Sport Relief.
The incredible feat kicks off in Belfast on Monday 8th February, with Radio 1 listeners and Sport Relief supporters able to track Greg as he broadcasts his Radio 1 show (4-7pm) from a new 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 at home to sign up to the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games, taking place Friday 18th to Sunday 20th March.
Taking in the sights with Greg along the way will be fellow presenters of BBC Radio 1, including Nick Grimshaw, and BBC 1Xtra as well as special celebrity guests, cheering him on in all five locations, which are also the flagship cities of the Games.
In the lead up to his gruelling challenge, Greg will be visiting a nursery within a refugee camp in Jordan. He will see first-hand how the money raised through Sport Relief is used to help displaced families and children in Jordan receive access to education, whilst maintaining an all-important sense of community.
Greg said, “It will come as no surprise to you that I'm not a professional athlete. So the prospect of doing one triathlon is daunting enough. Doing 5 in 5 days in 5 different cities is madness. I want this to be one of those challenges no one following it would want to do. It needs to be genuinely horrible for me so that people buy into it and donate their hard earned money to this incredible cause. The public can follow the story all day on Radio 1 and then I'll also be doing my own show at 4pm each day at the end of each triathlon. That'll be an interesting listen! Training has been tough, wet and so horribly cold but I'm determined to accomplish this so that Sport Relief will be able to direct some much needed money to support people who really need it. I’m looking forward to the fantastic Great British public’s support to keep me going in each city. It's gonna be a mad week!”
The public can find more information and sponsor Greg throughout his challenge at sportrelief.com
While you don’t have to go as far as Greg, you can take on your own challenge by signing up to the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games now at sportrelief.com
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.
Notes to editors about the Radio 1 Gregathlon for Sport Relief
Locations:
Belfast (Monday 8th February)
Cardiff (Tuesday 9th February)
Glasgow (Wednesday 10th February)
Sheffield (Thursday 11th February)
Norwich (Friday 12th February)
Activity:
Swim – Approx. 1 mile daily in three outdoor pools (Belfast, Glasgow and Norwich) and two indoor pools (Cardiff and Sheffield)
Cycle – Approx. 40-45 miles daily
Run – Approx. 10 miles daily
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).
