Jamie Laing, the popular BBC Radio 1 presenter and entrepreneur behind the Candy Kittens brand, is facing one of his most demanding challenges yet: running 150 miles from London to Salford as part of Comic Relief’s 2025 fundraising efforts. This ultra-marathon, which began on Monday, March 17, 2025, will see Laing run approximately 30 miles each day until he reaches his destination on Friday, March 21, coinciding with Red Nose Day.
Laing, best known for his appearances on the reality series Made in Chelsea and Strictly Come Dancing, has shifted from light-hearted television moments to tackling serious issues such as mental health awareness. Before setting off, Laing expressed his gratitude for being part of such a meaningful initiative. “I feel honoured to be taking part in this year’s Radio 1 Challenge for Comic Relief,” he stated, highlighting the importance of raising awareness around mental health, anxiety, and depression.
Laing’s challenge commenced at 8:20 AM from Broadcasting House, during the Radio 1 Breakfast show with Greg James. On the first day, he set off for Harpenden, covering 30.2 miles with the support of his Radio 1 colleagues, friends, and family. The visible support included several runners wearing masks of Laing’s face, providing morale as he embarked on this physically taxing trek. Laing recalls, “You’re going to see the good, the bad, and the ugly with me this week. I’m not going to hide anything.”
Throughout the run, Laing aims to promote discussions on mental health, sharing his own experiences with anxiety. He openly stated, “I’ve spent a lot of time probably worrying about myself… This run is for me, for all those people who are suffering.” His goal is to help those experiencing mental health challenges, emphasizing the importance of continuing to move forward even during tough times. “If you’re feeling down or anxious, just keep moving forward,” he advised.
The route taken by Laing is significant as it passes through numerous towns and cities where Comic Relief partners provide much-needed support. The marathon kicks off the charity's celebrations for 40 years of empowering communities globally, seeking to alleviate poverty by delivering food, healthcare, and safe housing. Samir Patel, the CEO of Comic Relief, praised Laing’s efforts: “We couldn’t be more grateful for Jamie to be taking on this challenge for Red Nose Day.”
During Laing's first day, he experienced moments of doubt and struggle but shared positive reflections as well. Speaking after his initial distances, he said, “I’m exhausted... it’s really far.” Acknowledging the physical demands of ultra-running, he mentioned to his supporters, “I have huge respect for anyone who has ever done an ultra-marathon… This is going to be tough.”
Despite Laing’s nerves, he humorously shared his intentions, stating, “There’s no plan B, so even if I have to crawl over the finish line, I’ll get it done.” Laura Heddle, the CEO of one of Comic Relief’s funded partners, expressed excitement about his challenge, noting the impact donations can have, “Allowing us to empower more young people from low-income backgrounds to access great employment opportunities.”
For spectators and supporters, keeping track of Laing’s progress can be done through live updates on BBC Radio 1 and its social media channels. This is important as the organizers highlighted there are no official trackers due to health and safety reasons. Donations to Comic Relief can be made by texting specific keywords to 70011, with options of donating £5, £10, or £20.
Reflecting on his preparation, Laing admitted he began training only at the start of the year, which makes the challenge even more monumental. He humorously shared, “AI said I needed a year to train for this... we’re going to get it done.”
Laing's commitment to this challenge also reflects his personal growth, as he has been candid about experiencing “crippling anxiety” during his twenties. He emphasized the sense of community and support he hopes to rally through this event. “The donations, whether big or small, will help people get the basics they need to thrive, not merely survive,” he concluded, appealing for support from the public.
With this heartfelt challenge, Jamie Laing continues to shine as both a celebrity and advocate for mental health, encouraging all to contribute to the noble cause of Comic Relief.
