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Race the Sun - Lake District - Race again

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team of four walking up skiddaw

Race The Sun Lake District

9 September 2023

dawn to dusk triple challenge

Take on an incredible team challenge journeying through majestic mountains and sprawling lakes in the heart of the beautiful Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Push your limits to complete the course of cycling, canoeing and hill walking between dawn and dusk, racing the sun on this triathlon-style adventure charity fundraising challenge.

key information

  • Date: Saturday 9 September 2023
  • Team Registration Fee: £195
  • Team Fundraising Target: £1,800
  • Location: Keswick, Lake District, Cumbria

bike - hike - canoe

At sunrise, after a hearty breakfast provided by us, teams of four set off in the saddle from the event base in Keswick for a 40-mile bike ride around the imposing Skiddaw mountain on winding roads sure to warm up the legs and get the heart pounding. Among some of the highest mountains in the UK, Skiddaw dominates the skyline as a constant reminder that you’ll soon be heading for the summit on foot!

Returning to back to the base in Keswick, you'll have the chance to change and refuel before starting on the next section.

Lifejackets on, it's time to get on the water. In open-top canoes, rafted together, your team will navigate a 2-mile course on Derwent Water, a beautiful and foreboding 3-mile long lake nestled in the glorious valley of Borrowdale. No canoe experience is necessary, and we'll provide everything you need, just bring some clothes you don't mind getting wet and a sense of adventure! 

Canoe section survived, now just the small matter of summiting Skiddaw on an 11 mile round trip to an altitude of 931m. Looking down on and tormenting you all day so far, now's the time to get your own back! The hike climbs toward Latrigg on the outskirts of Keswick before the path gets steeper, zig-zagging ever onward and upward. Standing on the summit you'll look out over the whole route you’ve completed. All's left to do is retrace your footsteps back to the finish line to take your applause, receive a medal, have a drink on us and enjoy your well-deserved celebration BBQ!

Brecon Countryside

Brilliant event, great route, well organised and a lot of fun and all for a hugely worthwhile charity. Many thanks for a day we will remember for very many years to come!

2019 Race the Sun Finisher

With awards for first, second, and third fastest teams, as well as fastest all-female, mixed, and 'Golden Oldies' (teams with a combined age of 200+), the newly added best-dressed team award, as well as the all-important best team spirit, there's a reason for everyone to keep pushing right until the very end!

Please note that there will be an online safety briefing in advance of the event where you will receive a full briefing with our events partner on everything to expect on the day, as well as an opportunity to ask any burning questions. You will need to attend a registration the evening before (Friday 8 September), where you will register, and drop your bags and bike if you wish.

Race The Sun is a fundraising challenge involving participants raising £450 per person (£1800 per team) by six weeks after the event date. Your dedicated Events contact will be on hand with tips and support to help you reach your target in an achievable way. By taking part in Race The Sun, not only will you have an exhilarating day but you will also be raising money for an incredibly worthwhile cause joining our fight for little lives. 

Event Booklet

Coming soon!

GET SPONSORS

Download your sponsorship form

YOUR FUNDRAISING

Check out the Fundraising Guide

Picture of Danny smiling

race for a reason

Race the Sun for children like Danny

Danny has the most severe form of Hunter syndrome, a rare disease with no cure and limited treatment options. Diagnosed at three years old, his family are now sadly all too aware that his life will be cruelly cut short, most likely in his teenage years. Action Medical Research is supporting a team at the University of Manchester who are testing a new way to overcome the problem of getting much-needed treatment into the brain. This could one day transform the outlook for children like Danny. Race the Sun for Action and help our fight against this devastating disease.

Event Includes

  • Food and drink
  • BBQ, beer and bubbly
  • Team awards
  • Finisher's medal
  • Free parking
  • Safety briefing
  • Bike mechanics
  • GPX route files
  • Timing tracker
  • Canoe equipment
  • Marshals and signage

Frequently asked questions

What happens if COVID-19 restrictions affect this event?

We are planning full steam ahead for this event! But, as this is an uncertain time, we want to reassure you that if we cannot go ahead with the event due to COVID-19, we will offer you a number of options. We’ll either postpone your event to a later date, you can join another similar event, transfer your place to another person, or receive a full refund of the registration fee you’ve paid.

How can I fundraise in a safe way that complies with COVID-19 restrictions?

If you're wondering how to fundraise during these challenging times, take a look at the Lake District fundraising guide here. There's loads of socially distant ideas to get you inspired and you can always get in touch if you need any extra fundraising support - events@action.org.uk

How fit do I have to be?

Race the Sun Lake District is achievable by people with a reasonable level of fitness who are prepared to put in plenty of 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.

Do I have to carry all of my stuff?

The good news is that all you need to take with you when you set out is what you’ll need to get around that part of the challenge. Each separate element of the event finishes back at the Event hub where you can access your kit and refresh ready for the next stage!

What bike do I need and what mechanical support will there be?

You need to provide your own bikes and we would suggest a road or hybrid bike for this challenge as the route is all on-road (for those of you who have taken on this challenge before, we’ve taken out the off-road sections so that road bikes can be used). Your bike must be well maintained and in good working order and we recommend a thorough service before the big day. You should carry a puncture repair kit and pump with you, along with a spare inner tube.

There will be a bike mechanic on hand at the event briefing and on the day to deal with any urgent repairs.

Do I need canoe experience?

Canoe experience is not necessary for this challenge. Your team of four will use two-seater sit-on-top canoes that are rafted together. The canoes, paddles and buoyancy aids are provided and we also have qualified canoeing instructors to brief and help you out if needed.

Do I need special equipment?

This is a tough event and you really need to come prepared with the correct equipment for the challenge and know how to use it. We will provide you with a full kit list but this can give you an idea:

For the cycling, you must wear a helmet and bring your own bike, fitted with front and rear lights, in case of fog or if you start or finish in the dark. For the trekking section, walking boots or fell-running trainers are advised. It’s a good idea to also carry a first aid kit just in case. All specialist equipment for the canoe section is provided.

What if I don't have a team of four yet?

Don’t worry if you haven’t confirmed your team of four yet; you can register now to secure your place anyway! When you manage to secure your other team mates you can then get them registered via the online booking system.

What about accommodation and parking?

Your parking is covered by us, so you can pull right up to the event base without having to worry about where to go. Keswick is a market town with a lot of choice of accommodation, so you can stay really close by and enjoy all the town has to offer.

What food is included in the event?

There will be pastries and fruit provided in the morning. Lunch, snacks and water will be available at a changeover station during your challenge and when you've crossed that finish line there will be a BBQ and drink of bubbly or IPA waiting for you! There will also be water and snack stops along the route. This is all included in the event

At the registration the night before, there will be food available to purchase - more details of this will follow nearer the time.

Why is there a 50% sponsorship deadline?

We ask that you raise 50% of your fundraising target 2 months before the event (£900). Fundraising is something that is always done on a goodwill basis. The 50% deadline is there is to make sure everyone puts effort in to fundraise for their place on the event. It also reassures us that we can pay the practical event costs relating to the team’s place on the event, knowing that the charity will not be out of pocket.

What if we don’t raise 50% of our £1800 fundraising target by the deadline?

We rely on the conversations that we’ll have with Team Captains in the lead up to the deadline date to understand your team’s fundraising plans as you cook up different wonderful fundraising ideas! However 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. Although it’s a shame to lose any of our participants, unfortunately, we may not be able to confirm you on the event if we don’t feel confident that you will meet your team’s target which also covers the costs to us as a charity. We will always do our best to support you with fundraising ideas so we’ll stay in touch to see if we can lend any help if needed.

Where can I hire a bike?

We would recommend the national bike hire company British Bike Hire, or a local company called Country Lane Cycles.

How old do I need to be to take part?

You must be a minimum of 18 years old on the challenge date .

16-17yr olds may also participate in the challenge, with the agreement of, and when accompanied on the challenge by their parent or guardian.

What do I wear for the best dressed team award?

This is not compulsory but just a fun award for participants to get creative, no matter on your ability! You can dress up or simply co-ordinate themed accessories with your team. Please note that your outfit choices must be safety conscious and not hinder your ability on the challenge – no full body suits or inflatable costumes please!

Race the sun rules

  • Rule 1 Each team will carry a GPRS tracker. This will give the Event marshals your location on the route at any given time. The tracker must be carried by one of your team on all stages of the event.
  • Rule 2 Timings for the event will be recorded as follows:
  • a) Overall Event Time: is the total time taken to go from the start of the event to the end of the event, having completed all sections i.e. it is sum of the time taken to complete each section plus all intervening periods, changing time etc.
  • b) Section Time: is the time taken to complete each section. The time starts when all team members check in for the section and finishes when all team members report in at the end of the section.
  • c) Times are recorded when the last team member arrives at the section finish.
  • Rule 3 Teams must remain together in such a way that all team members can communicate with each other.
  • Rule 4 Marshals’ instructions must be followed. If teams or individual team members are asked to leave the event by a marshal, they must do so immediately. The Marshal’s decision is final.
  • Rule 5 If the event is stopped or suspended, and there is no prospect of a section being completed, teams will be awarded a time for each incomplete section equivalent to the average time for that section achieved by teams so far.
  • Rule 6 If you present yourself ready to start a leg, but you have to wait (eg. a canoe is not available, or the event has been temporarily suspended), the time you wait will be deducted from your team’s overall time.
  • Rule 7 The latest time anyone will be allowed to start the mountain stage is 15:00. If it is felt a team will not reach the summit by 18:00, they will not be able to continue, regardless of their position on the mountain.
  • Rule 8 If any team member retires from a section of the event, the remaining members may continue at the discretion of the Marshal. Only complete teams of four will be eligible for the awards.
  • Rule 9 Team members must use the same bikes for the entire route.
  • Rule 10 Teams must bring all items on the kit list. At the safety briefing the night before, you will be informed of the weather conditions for the challenge and any kit that you won’t need to take with you for the day.

DELIVERY PARTNER

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