London to Salford: The Making of an Ultra Marathon Man

Jamie tackled his greatest physical and psychological challenge, facing a whirlwind of highs and lows in a week filled with tears, surprises, pain, cheering crowds… and hills. Lots of hills! On Monday 17th March, Jamie set off from his London start line, only to be greeted in Hyde Park by a surprise flash mob of Jamie Laings – complete with blonde wigs and face masks!

Day 2 saw Jamie and his already-battered body continue north through the crowd-lined streets of Wyboston and Kettering, as Radio 1 listeners got behind him (and some hilarious on-air fundraising schemes) to set his donation total climbing.

Ultra marathon day 3 saw things get really tough, as the intensity took its toll on Jamie’s body. His spirits were revived by friendly faces along the way – Jake and Leanne from The Traitors season 2 ran alongside the presenter for 8 miles through Leicestershire, and Jamie’s life-long friend and Made in Chelsea co-star, Oliver Proudlock, greeted him in an emotional road-side surprise that spurred him to a spine-tingling reception at Loughborough University.

Over the final two days, Jamie displayed awe-inspiring fortitude as he pushed his mind and body to its limits. As the hills of the peak district rose, so did Jamie’s phenomenal fundraising total. Inspired by both his grit and vulnerability, the British public rallied behind him – and Greg James running in a wedding dress - as they pressed on through Stockport towards his Grand Finale.

At Salford’s finish line, Jamie received a hero’s welcome. Against all odds, he completed his fifth ultra marathon in so many days and broke the £2million raised, crowning himself a true Red Nose Day legend.