In order to deliver the match ball for Soccer Aid 2025, reality TV star Sam Thompson has begun his heroic challenge to run and cycle 260 miles.
The reality TV favourite is more than halfway through the treacherous task which has seen him leave his native Chelsea to bring the ball for the charity game all the way to Manchester.
He is set to deliver the ball to Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium after setting off from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in west London, which hosted the charity game last year in support of Unicef.
Thompson has reached the first checkpoint of his journey, MK Dons' Stadium MK venue in Milton Keynes, by cycling 23 miles - after running 26 kilometres towards Hemel Hempstead on Monday.
He was joined at the start line by I’m A Celebrity … Unpacked co-host Joel Dommett, his sister Louise Thompson, her partner Ryan Libbey and his nephew Leo all joined him.
And on Wednesday, his best pal Pete Wicks surprised him along the route in emotional scenes.
The star is scheduled to cross the finish line on Friday, June 6, and his journey will be aired live on ITV's This Morning and Hits Radio every day.
Additionally, the challenge will be featured in Sam Thompson's Match Ball Mission, an ITV1 documentary that will air in the run-up to Football Aid for Unicef.
Here’s the full route Thompson is taking
Day 1 - Monday, June 2
Thompson set off from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge.
He started his journey with a full marathon that took him through London and into Hertfordshire. After running 26 miles, he began his first cycle of the week in Hemel Hempstead. After cycling 23 miles, he finished the day at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes.
Day 2 - Tuesday, June 3
This was the longest leg of the week, where Thompson travelled a staggering 72 miles from MK Dons to Villa Park, the home field of Aston Villa in Birmingham.
He ran another marathon distance, running north through Northamptonshire's towns to Rugby, before switching from trainers to pedals for a strenuous 46-mile ride that begins with a hill climb.
On his way to Villa Park, he will weave through Coventry and ride past Birmingham.
Day 3 - Wednesday, June 4
Thompson ran north from Villa Park via Walsall and onto Stafford before getting on his bike to complete the last 23 miles to Stoke-on-Trent.
He ended the day at Vale Park, the stadium of Port Vale Football Club.
Day 4 - Thursday, June 5
Thompson will leave Port Vale early and travel northwest, stopping for a cheeky diversion in Liverpool before the grand finish in Manchester the following day.
He will run through the picturesque villages of Cheshire before cycling in rural Cuddington. He will then ride his bike to Liverpool, passing via Birkenhead and across Mersey. He will finish the penultimate day of his mission by tipping his hat to Everton FC at Goodison Park.
Day 5 - Thursday, June 6
The last and most important leg of Thompson's journey. He only needs to cycle 10 miles north of Widnes to warm up for his final run.
For his final marathon, he will be running past Warrington before heading northeast into the Manchester suburbs, where Old Trafford is in sight.
