Owain Wyn Evans to Cycle Nearly 400 Miles Across All Four UK Nations for BBC Children in Need

BBC Radio 2 presenter Owain Wyn Evans will cycle nearly 400 miles through all four UK nations in a five-day challenge for BBC Children in Need this November.

Owain Wyn Evans is taking on one of the biggest challenges of his broadcasting career, cycling through Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales to raise money for BBC Children in Need.

The BBC Radio 2 Early Breakfast presenter will begin his epic 4 Nations Cycle Challenge in Glasgow on Monday 9 November, before cycling almost 400 miles over five days and finishing in central Cardiff on Friday 13 November.

The challenge was announced on the Sara Cox Breakfast Show on Friday 25 September, with Evans set to cover the greatest distance yet attempted as part of a Radio 2 fundraising challenge.

Owain Wyn Evans’ 4 Nations Cycle Challenge route

Evans will start in Glasgow, taking on Scotland before continuing through Northern Ireland, England and finally Wales, his home country.

The five-day journey will take in some of the UK’s most recognisable landscapes, including Scotland’s rugged coastline, the green countryside of Northern Ireland, the historic scenery of North West England and the rolling hills of Wales.

His progress will be followed by Radio 2 listeners throughout the week, with fellow presenters supporting the challenge during their regular programmes.

Fans will also be able to follow the journey through BBC Sounds, the Radio 2 website and its social media channels.

A BBC television crew will accompany Evans throughout the challenge, documenting his experience for a BBC One film produced by BBC Studios Entertainment, which is due to air in November.

Owain Wyn Evans previously raised millions for BBC Children in Need

This is not Evans’ first major fundraising challenge for BBC Children in Need.

In 2021, when he was working as a BBC weather presenter, Evans took part in BBC Breakfast’s Drumathon, following his viral performance of the BBC News theme tune on drums.

He spent 24 hours drumming as part of the fundraiser, which went on to raise more than £3.8 million for BBC Children in Need.

His latest challenge follows a series of major fundraising efforts by Radio 2 presenters.

Sara Cox, Paddy McGuinness and Vernon Kay’s BBC Children in Need challenges

Evans will take over the fundraising baton from Sara Cox, who completed the Great Northern Marathon Challenge in 2025.

Cox ran, jogged and walked from Kielder Forest in Northumberland to Pudsey in Leeds, raising £11.7 million for BBC Children in Need.

As part of the challenge, Cox carried a special Pudsey backpack, which will now be passed on to Evans for his four-nation cycle.

Before Cox’s challenge, Paddy McGuinness completed a 300-mile Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge in 2024, travelling across three nations on a classic Chopper bike.

In 2023, Vernon Kay completed his Ultra Ultramarathon Challenge, travelling on foot from Leicester’s Victoria Park to Bolton Wanderers’ Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Evans will now add his own challenge to the Radio 2 fundraising series.

Professor Greg Whyte to support Owain Wyn Evans

Sports scientist Professor Greg Whyte will provide bespoke support to Evans throughout the 4 Nations Cycle Challenge.

Whyte has previously worked with a number of major charity challenges, including Cox’s Great Northern Marathon Challenge.

Radio 2 listeners will also be encouraged to organise their own fundraising activities in support of BBC Children in Need.

This year’s appeal includes Challenge Yourself 2026, which encourages people of all ages to create their own fundraising challenge inspired by the number 26.

Participants could walk 26 miles, learn 26 new words, bake 26 cakes, give up a favourite treat for 26 days or come up with their own challenge.

Radio 2 announces two ABBA Voyage performances for BBC Children in Need

Radio 2 is also returning to ABBA Voyage for two special gala performances in aid of BBC Children in Need.

Following the success of its 2025 event, Radio 2 will stage two performances on Sunday 8 November 2026, at 1pm and 6pm, at the ABBA Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.

Both performances will be hosted by Vernon Kay.

ABBA Voyage combines digital performances from ABBA with a live band, alongside large-scale lighting and visual effects.

Tickets for the 2026 Radio 2 gala performances will go on sale from Thursday 1 October through the BBC Radio 2 Events website.

Meanwhile, Evans’ 4 Nations Cycle Challenge gets underway in Glasgow on Monday 9 November, with his journey through all four UK nations culminating in Cardiff on Friday 13 November.

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