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!

The Event Hub is based at Martello Fields, in Seaford, East Sussex, at the start of the Seven Sisters cliffs.

Your 24-mile off-road cycling adventure starts with a punchy climb out of Seaford before leaving the tarmac behind for open countryside and rolling trails.

Whether you're riding a gravel bike or mountain bike, expect a rewarding mix of terrain, big skies and coastal scenery. The route descends through Friston Forest before following the winding Cuckmere River towards the coast.

The 10-mile hike begins with a climb up Seaford Head, rewarding you with sweeping views of the iconic Seven Sisters cliffs and the South Coast.

Descend towards the Cuckmere River before heading inland to Exceat Bridge, where you'll switch from trail to water. After your paddle, continue through the shaded woodland paths of Friston Forest before crossing the river once more.

The final climb up Cradle Hill brings spectacular views of the Litlington White Horse and coastline. Then it's downhill back to Seaford to complete your coastal adventure.

Swap your walking boots for a paddle and take on two miles of the beautiful River Cuckmere.

Glide along its calm waters in a stable sit-on-top kayak, taking in the peaceful surroundings while working together as a team. It's a chance to catch your breath, enjoy a different perspective on the South Downs and embrace another side of the challenge.

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.

Participants must be at least 18 years old and be in suitable physical condition to undertake the challenge as set out in the itinerary. 16-17-year-olds may also participate in challenges if accompanied on the challenge by their parent or guardian.

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!

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 up to you!

The course is designed to be achievable in the time available and most teams will complete the full challenge. However, we do have cut-off times for your safety to ensure that the event finishes in daylight hours. These will be communicated closer to the event date and the marshals on the day will advise you if necessary.

Yes. 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.

No. Taking part as a team is what makes Race the Sun so special, and what sets it apart from other events. You can take part as a team of two or four.

Registration closes around two months before each event, or sooner if places sell-out first. 

Race the Sun is extremely popular and participant numbers are capped, so be sure to secure your place early to avoid disappointment.

Team registration costs £120 for teams of two, and £240 for teams of four, that’s just £60 per person for an amazing day creating memories to last a lifetime!! 

The team fundraising target is £1,000 per team of two, and £2,000 per team of four. Teams need to raise 60% 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.

You may also need to consider other costs such as travel and accommodation.

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.

No, but you could simply add the necessary funds to your overall fundraising target yourself.

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 60% 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.

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.

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

Money raised by taking part in Race the Sun for Action Medical Research 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.

We recommend a gravel bike or mountain bike for this event.

As large sections of the route are off-road hybrid bikes are not recommended, however, if you have trained on it and are confident you can complete the course you are more than welcome to use it. You can always walk your bike down some of the more technical sections if needed.

Road bikes are not suitable for this event.

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.

If you don’t own a bike, or can’t borrow one for the event, local bike hire operators will often drop off and collect bikes to the Event Hub. We are unable to arrange hire on behalf of participants.

For more information about different types of bike, please check out this video from our logistics partner, The Aventure Element.

Yes, but please ensure that you carry spare batteries, or other spares specific to e-bikes, as these may not be available from the bike mechanics.

For further information, you can view our e-bike policy here.

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.

A full kit list will be provided in the lead up to the event in an event guide, but in the meantime you can check out these videos from our event delivery partner, The Adventure Element, about mandatory kit, waterproof jackets and suitable footwear.

• 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
• Finishers medal
• Food and celebratory drink at the finish line

There will be a selection of cereal bars and fruit for breakfast before your adventure begins. Lunch consists of a hearty sandwich, with plenty of snacks and fruit available and finally a hot meal and a drink await your team upon crossing the finish line!

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

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

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 14 May, 18:00 - 20:00

• Team registration – Teams will be allocated a time to attend the Event Hub to sign in, pick up race numbers, drop off transition bags and check in with our bike mechanics if you wish, to ensure that you’re all ship shape and race ready in the morning.

Saturday 15 May, 07:00 - 09:00

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

Once you've finished the event

• PARTY TIME!! – Grab a cold drink 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.

Yes, and why not make a weekend of it! Supporters will be able to join you at the Event Hub, then track your progress live online via a tracking link which we will share 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. Please be sure to mention Race the Sun to any accommodation you stay at or attraction you visit in the area. 

No. Always 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.

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.

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

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

Yes, absolutely! We award teams who go the extra mile… the Best Dressed Team. 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.

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.

Yes. Contact the Events Team for further information.

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

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 day.

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.