Recently retired Olympic gold medallist Jonny Brownlee is to dig out his running shoes after being challenged by schoolchildren to help them run 500 miles for BBC Children in Need.
Pupils at Wakefield’s Outwood Primary Academy Lofthouse Gate asked the six-time triathlon world champion to join their fundraising efforts as part of Run For Pudsey, a nationwide BBC Children in Need initiative.
Children recorded a video message inviting Brownlee to their school during BBC Children in Need week and challenged him to help pupils reach the collective goal in four hours.
BBC Radio Leeds is set to broadcast live from the school’s playground during the event on 10 November.
Brownlee accepted the challenge during a live interview with the station.
“I’m quite emotional after listening to that,” the 36-year-old said.
“They show so much passion, so I can’t say no. They’re quite cheeky as well, so I’ve got to be there.
“It’s an absolutely brilliant cause. But one condition – no primary school children are allowed to beat me. I might be retired, but I’m still quite competitive.”
