Jamie Laing completes first leg of Comic Relief run in Herts

The TV personality set off on his endurance test this morning, racing across the county on his 150-mile five-day-stretch to Salford.

From Monday, March 17 to Friday, March 21, Jamie will attempt to run across England ahead of Red Nose Day's night of TV.

Day one saw him navigate through the busy streets of London heading north toward Harpenden, passing through Borehamwood, Radlett and St Albans. 

Jamie ran past London Elstree Aerodrome. (Image: Tristan Fewings/Comic Relief/Getty Images) The route also took the TV star past Belstone Football Club. (Image: Tristan Fewings/Comic Relief/Getty Images) After reaching the finish line in Harpenden, Jamie told the BBC: "I'm exhausted, I'm so tired. It's so far. It's really far, it's a long way. We're not in London anymore. We're in Harpenden.

"It's 100 per cent harder than I thought it was going to be. I thought it was going to be hard, it's 100 per cent harder than that."

Jamie was surrounded by friends and family as he left BBC’s New Broadcasting House at around 8.30am - including his wife Sophie Habboo and fellow Radio 1 hosts, Greg James and Charlie Hedges. 

Greg James, set Jamie on his way with a special show on BBC Radio 1 Breakfast offering words of wisdom before sending him down to the start line.

Jamie speaking with BBC Radio 1's Matt Edmondson. (Image: Tristan Fewings/Comic Relief/Getty Images) He set off from the BBC’s broadcasting house in London. (Image: Tristan Fewings/Comic Relief/Getty Images)Jamie added: "Greg said something great to me, he said ‘just let the adventure come to you’ and that’s what I’m going to keep in my mind throughout today.

"I had the honour of seeing first-hand some of the great work that Comic Relief’s funding provides recently when I met the amazing people at Empire Fighting Chance in Bristol – so knowing I’m doing this for them and so many others is really what’s keeping me going.

"There’s even some projects here this morning to see me off which is amazing, I can’t wait to meet even more along the route.” 

The first stop on the 150-mile journey was Hyde Park, where a flash mob of runners who were dressed in Red Nose Day vests, bleach blonde wigs and Jamie Laing face masks joined him.

A flash mob impersonated Jamie in Hyde Park. (Image: Tristan Fewings/Comic Relief/Getty Images) Jamie in Hyde Park. (Image: Tristan Fewings/Comic Relief/Getty Images) Lookalikes included Radio 1 DJ’s Sam and Danni, as well as representatives from The Running Charity.

The Made in Chelsea star will run through cities, towns and villages where Comic Relief-funded partners are providing essential support in communities.

Felicity Halstead, CEO of Comic Relief funded partner Goodwork, said: "We're delighted to be here to support Jamie's Ultra Marathon Man challenge which will be raising funds for Comic Relief.

"As a funded partner ourselves, donations make a huge difference to small organisations like GoodWork, allowing us to empower more young people from low income backgrounds to access great employment opportunities and set them up for success.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for our young people to visit the BBC today and we're looking forward to cheering Jamie on now, and throughout his challenge!" 

The charity run will be broadcast on Radio 1 and BBC Sounds across the week, with video highlights on Radio 1’s social channels. 

To support Jamie, go to comicrelief.com/ultra