Ultra Marathon Man Jamie Laing raises £2M for Comic Reliefpublished at 18:30 GMT 21 March 2025
Cahal Naughton
Radio 1's Ultra Marathon Man reporter
It's been a whirlwind week for Radio 1 presenter Jamie Laing, who just completed his Ultra Marathon Man challenge for Comic Relief, raising over £2 million in the process.
Running an astounding five ultra marathons in five days, it's a huge accomplishment for someone who hadn't run further than 25km before in his life.
Speaking to Radio 1's Jack Saunders, Greg James, and fellow co-host of 'Going Home' Vick Hope, he admitted that he had joked about raising £2 million when the challenge was first proposed to him.
He started the challenge in London, with his first surprise a flash mob of Jamie Laing lookalikes in Hyde Park.
On day two, he ran from Wyboston to Kettering, with donations taking a massive jump thanks to a scheme masterminded by Greg James, convincing listeners to donate to have Matt Edmondson's scooter crushed.
By the third day he was really in a terrible way, often talking to the ground whenever he had the chance. He was spurred on by the company of The Traitors UK Season 3 winners Jake and Leanne, who ran 8 miles with him through Leicestershire, and a surprise appearance from life-long friend and Made In Chelsea co-star Ollie Proudlock.
Other key figures that kept him focused, motivated, and frankly alive were his wife Sophie Habboo, fellow Radio 1 presenter Matt Edmondson and the 'magical hands' of his physiotherapist Nick.
To the disbelief of many, and most likely himself, he made it through the many hills south of Manchester, finally reaching the finish line in Salford with an euphoric sprint finish.
Citing mental health as the key reason for taking on the challenge, his mantra throughout has been 'one foot in front of the other' - a simple philosophy that has clearly worked wonders.
