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Race The Sun - South Downs

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seven sisters cliff
Race the Sun South Downs logo

Race the Sun South Downs

25 April 2026

dawn to dusk triple challenge

Race the Sun pits teams of two or four against the clock in an incredible triathlon-style team challenge that sees you bike, hike and paddle around a course between dawn and dusk, in a race against the setting sun.

Register today and tackle this unforgettable charity fundraising team challenge along the dramatic south coast, taking in 

This BRAND NEW challenge for the 2026 series features sections of the South Downs Way and the knee-trembling Seven Sisters cliffs, just don't look down!! It's an event not to be missed! 

Proudly supported by

 

Garmin logo

Key Information

BRAND NEW FOR 2026!!

  • Date: Saturday 25 April 2026
  • Location: Seaford (nr. Brighton), East Sussex
  • 2-person team: £120 registration fee + £1,000 fundraising
  • 4-person team: £240 registration fee + £2,000 fundraising
  • Self-funded: See FAQs section for details
  • *Booking fees apply (see FAQs for details)
cyclist smiling

BIKE

Your challenge begins and ends in Seaford, taking in the rolling clifftop roads and countryside of East Sussex. 

This circular bike route delivers epic sea views, quiet lanes, and a few cheeky climbs to keep things interesting—an exhilarating ride to power up your Race The Sun experience.

walkers with thumbs up

HIKE

Lace up your boots for a stunning coastal adventure that begins at Seaford Head, which offers up an Instagram-worthy view of the iconic Seven Sisters cliffs stretching into the distance as far as Beachy Head, before the route winds inland along the river to the tranquil curves of Cuckmere Meanders. Here, the adventure shifts gears as boots are swapped for boats for the paddle phase of the challenge.

After your paddle, rejoin the trail to conquer a scenic stretch of the South Downs Way National Trail. This section might be short, but it’s big on wow-factor—think sweeping landscapes and a glimpse of the striking Litlington White Horse, before looping back to base in Seaford.

couple paddling on kayak

PADDLE

Your hike turns into an unforgettable waterside experience with a 2-mile paddle on the peaceful, non-tidal River Cuckmere. This section amps up the adventure and the teamwork as you navigate the course in stable sit-on-top kayaks. 

No experience? No problem. All gear is provided, and expert instructors are on hand to guide you every stroke of the way.

participants celebrate with a post-event drink

post event

After completing all three challenges, it's time to kick back and chill out with teammates, friends, and family. Enjoy a bite to eat and a drink on us as you celebrate your achievement and relive the highlights of the day!

 

Why join #TeamAction?

Race the Sun serves up enough adventure to challenge those looking to lay down a fast time, as well as those who just want a fun, exhilarating day with friends and family.

It's truly a fundraising challenge not to be missed, and every pound raised will support life-changing research across the UK to help save and change the lives of sick and vulnerable children. 

We will be with you every step of the way, helping you with training and fundraising tips to make sure you have an unforgettable day before the celebrations begin!

From the quality of the course to the incredible volunteers and ambassadors for this great cause. The help, support and on the day encouragement was superb.

Race the Sun finisher
bikes

EVENT INCLUDES

  • Safety briefing
  • Aid stations with drinks and snacks
  • Team awards & finishers medal
  • Canoe or kayak equipment
  • Bike mechanics and first aiders
  • Marshals and signage
  • Timing tracker & GPX route files
  • Food and drink at the finish line
south downs way national trail signpost

fact file

  • The Seven Sisters are a stretch of chalk cliffs, formed millions of years ago along England's south coast
  • The cliffs have appeared in Film and TV, from Robin Hood to Harry Potter
  • Erosion is a constant threat, losing 30-40cm to the sea each year
  • The South Downs Way National Trail is 100-miles long
Participants holding a paddle

highlights

  • Spending time with friends and family
  • Sense of achievement upon completion
  • Views of the iconic Seven Sisters cliffs
  • The Litlington White Horse in the chalk hillside
beatrice at the beach

race for a reason

Race the Sun for children like Beatrice

Aged just eight and previously healthy, Beatrice suffered the terrifying effects of autoimmune encephalitis, which caused her to lose the ability to walk or speak for several months. By taking part in Race the Sun and fundraising for Action, you are helping fund new research which studies how advanced brain scanning techniques can help children like Beatrice by predicting outcomes early on and personalise treatments.

all women team on mountain summit

sheraces accredited

Our Race the Sun series has been officially endorsed by SheRACES, a Community Interest Company which exists to level the start line and enable more women to take part races and events, and have a good experience when they do.

cyclists follow signage

Challenge yourself, respect the planet

Action Medical Research along with our event delivery partner, The Adventure Element, are committed to ensuring that Race the Sun is rewarding for participants, and the local community, by promoting sustainable practices such as car sharing, reducing travel mileage by sourcing items locally, supporting local communities by using local suppliers, and encouraging all teams to hang on to all rubbish until it can be disposed of or recycled accordingly.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Pre-Registration

What is the booking fee?

Before you check out, a booking fee will be applied. The service charge you encounter is applied by our third-party registration platform, Njuko GB Ltd., not by our charity directly. This fee helps cover their processing and operational costs associated with them managing our online bookings – similar to the booking fees commonly applied when purchasing theatre or concert tickets. The amount you’ll be charged is approximately 3% transaction fee + service fee. It varies slightly depending on how the event needs to be set up in the system in order to take registrations efficiently. Your entry fee then helps us cover some of the costs associated with putting on events like these and as a charity we rely on individuals fundraising or making a further donation which we can put towards our research, to help save and change the lives of children and babies.

What is Race the Sun?

Race the Sun is a team challenge fundraising event for teams of two or four people, with the aim of completing three disciplines (cycling, hiking, and canoeing/kayaking) in as fast a time as possible!

Where is Race the Sun?

The event HQ will be the Martello Fields, in Seaford, East Sussex, at the end of the Seven Sisters cliffs.

What is the route?

See above.

 

How fit do I have to be?

Race the Sun is achievable by people with a reasonable level of fitness who are prepared to put in some training beforehand. The more you train, the more you’ll enjoy the challenge. It’s a great incentive to get fit and work a load of different muscles, whilst knowing you’re raising funds for an excellent cause at the same time.

Is it a relay?

No, all team members must compete in each discipline. It’s a team event so you’re only as fast as your slowest team member, you need to stick together!

How long does it take to complete?

Some teams will complete the challenge in as little as five hours and others will take the whole day. Some teams want to compete for the fastest time and others want to simply complete the course – it’s really up to you!

Is there a registration entry fee?

Yes, it’s £120 for teams of two, and £240 for teams of four, plus the minimum fundraising target. That’s just £60 per person for an amazing day creating memories to last a lifetime!!

Can we self-fund the challenge?

Yes, if you’d prefer to cover the cost of the challenge yourself, please get in touch with the team for more information.

  • Team of 4 – upfront payment of £1,600 (team registration fee of £198 is included in this amount)
  • Team of 2 – upfront payment of £800 (team registration fee of £99 is included in this amount)

While there would be no fundraising target, we’d still encourage you to raise as much as you can to help and save little lives.

When do entries close?

Registration closes at 17:00 on Wednesday 25 February, or sooner if places sell-out first.

Our new events always prove to be extremely popular, so be sure to secure your place early to avoid disappointment!

What if I don't have a team yet?

Don’t worry if you haven’t confirmed your whole team yet; you can register now to ensure that you don’t miss out, and then add teammates later via the online booking platform.

Is it possible to take part on my own?

No. Taking part as a team is what makes Race the Sun so special, and what sets it apart from other events. If you’re unable to make up a team then please contact us, and we may be able to match you with teams looking for members.

Is there a team fundraising target?

Yes. Race the Sun is a team fundraising event for children’s charity, Action Medical Research. Money raised will help fund groundbreaking medical research to save and change the lives of babies and children. Learn more about the work of Action Medical Research here.

The team fundraising target is £1,000 per team of two, and £2,000 per team of four. Teams need to raise 50% of the fundraising target two months before the event date to secure their place on the event. We ask teams to do this to ensure that the charity will not be out of pocket. The remaining fundraising needs to be with the charity 6 weeks after the event.

What if our team can’t reach the target?

Please get in touch with the Events Team if you have any concerns about reaching your target and we can talk through your options with you. We have lots of resources to help you reach your target and remember, the earlier you start the easier it is!

Please be aware that if you do not raise 50% of the fundraising target two months before the event then your team’s place may be at risk, and you may not be able to take part.

Will Action help with fundraising?

Yes, it’s what we’re here for! Once you’ve signed up, we’ll be in regular contact with the team captain with fundraising ideas and advice, as well as materials and resources to get you started! You can also read through our comprehensive fundraising guide.

What bike do I need?

We recommend using a road bike or hybrid bike for this event.

As the route is on-road we would not recommend using a mountain bike. However, if you have trained on it and are confident you can complete the course you are more than welcome to use it. 

All participants must provide their own bike, which should be in good working condition. We recommend servicing your bike before the event. On-site bike mechanics will be available at registration on Friday evening, and throughout the event to help with mechanical issues encountered on the event.

Can I take part on an e-bike?

Yes, but please note in the interests of fairness that by using an e-bike the entire team will not be eligible for any of the ‘fastest team’ award categories.

Please also ensure to carry spare batteries, or other spares specific to e-bikes, as these may not be available from the bike mechanics.

Are canoes/kayaks provided?

Yes. We provide the canoe, or kayak, paddles, and buoyancy aids, you’ll just need to wear suitable clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting wet. Just in case!!

No previous experience is necessary, and fully qualified instructors will be on-hand to help and keep everyone safe.

What is included in the event?

  • Online safety briefing before the event
  • Breakfast, packed lunch, drinks and snacks available at Transition Stations/ Event Hub
  • Fully supported route with marshals and signage
  • Bike mechanics and first aiders
  • Timing tracker & GPX route files
  • Kayak / canoe equipment
  • Team awards & finishers medal
  • Food and celebratory drink at the finish line

What food and drink is included?

There will be cereal bars and fruit in the morning before the start as a light pre-event breakfast. Lunch, snacks and water refill points will be available at aids stations during your challenge and when you cross the finish line there will be more food and a drink waiting for you!

Whilst this is usually plenty enough for most people, if you feel that you’ll need more than this, please bring it with you.

Will there be vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options?

Yes, please let us know your dietary requirements on your registration form.

Post-Registration

Where can we stay?

Check out the tourist board website for a list of accommodation options.

Do I have to carry all my stuff?

In short, no. There will be transition points where you can leave your stuff for the next discipline, but finer details about what to pack will be communicated with teams closer to the event.

Can I take part in fancy dress?

Yes, absolutely! We have an award especially for teams who go the extra mile… the Best Dressed Team Award. Race the Sun is all about having fun and raising money for charity! All we ask is that costumes should not pose a danger or be perceived to be found offensive to other participants or spectators. Action Medical Research reserve the right to remove any participants who are deemed to be dressed indecently or offensively, or wearing costumes which pose a danger to others.

When will I receive my race number?

At registration on the Friday evening. You will be given race numbers for your bike and your bag. We will give you your tracker and timer just before you cross the start line. Full details of what to expect at registration will be in your Event Guide which will be sent out via closer to the event.

I have registered but no longer able to take part, what should I do?

Please contact the Events Team if you are no longer able to take part in your event and we can discuss the options with you, which may include transferring to another event or deferring to next year.

Can I transfer my entry to someone else?

Yes. Contact the Events Team for further information.

Can I get a refund, transfer or defer my entry?

Please see our Withdrawals, Refunds, Transfers and Deferrals policy here.

Event day

What are the event timings?

The following is an example of the typical event timings for guidance only. Full details with precise timings will be sent out in the Event Guide closer to the time.

Friday 24 April

18:00 - 20:00

Team registration – Teams will be allocated a time to attend the event HQ to sign in, pick up race numbers, drop off transition bags and have their bikes checked over to ensure that you’re all ship shape and race ready in the morning.

Saturday 25 April

07:00 – 08:00

Event start – Teams depart in waves. Teams will be allocated a start wave about closer to the event.

16:00 – 19:00

PARTY TIME!! – Grab a bevvie as you cross the line, then chill out with your teammates and supporters over a bite to eat! Food and drink is available for registered participants only, there will not be an option for supporters to purchase anything on site, but they are more than welcome to bring their own to join the fun.

19:00 – 20:00

Event closes.

Can friends and family watch?

Yes, and why not make a weekend of it! Supporters will be able to join you at the event HQ, then track your progress live online. We’ll share the tracking link with registered participants closer to the event.

Check out the tourist board for the area for inspiration of things to see and do before and after the event.

Does cycling take place on closed roads?

No. Please follow the highway code, and abide by the rules of the road, as well as being considerate to other road users. Take a look at this handy guide to cycling on the roads.

What else can I expect from the event?

To make sure everyone has a great time, we’ve put together a few simple guidelines to keep things safe, respectful, and fun for all. Check out our events code of conduct to see more on this.

Post-event

Where can I find photos from the event?

Participant photography is not included in the event, but we do often have photographers roving around the course, as well as members of our staff and marshals capturing pictures and videos throughout the event. All images will be uploaded to an album like this after the event.

When will I receive my official time?

All Race the Sun events have live tracking, so you’ll receive your team’s time immediately after crossing the line. We will also publish the results on a webpage which will be shared with participants after the event.

When do you need to receive my fundraising by?

Teams need to reach their fundraising target 6 weeks after the event.

race the sun series

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