chase the sun
Saturday 20 June 2026
key information
- Date: Saturday 20 June 2026
- Location: UK North or Ireland
- UK North route: Whitley Bay to Ayr
- Ireland route: Belfast to Enniscrone
- Entry fee: £50
- Fundraising target: £200
Jump to
Cycle Coast to Coast, East to West, Sunrise to Sunset
Ride coast-to-coast in a single day, starting at sunrise and finishing by sunset.
Not a race — there are no timing chips, rankings or medals. It’s all about personal challenge, camaraderie and completing the route within the daylight hours. With the choice of two challenges in the North of England and Ireland.
Chase the sun UK North
Register for this UK North cycling sportive to experience breathtaking landscapes and quiet roads for over 200 miles from the beachfront at Whitley Bay at the first ray of ocean sunrise to the esplanade at Ayr to witness the (hopefully glorious) sunsetting into the sea beside the Isle of Arran. A coast to coast cycle full of stunning vistas, wilderness, heaths, rivers, lochs, castles and beaches, a challenge to inspire you when pedalling the longest day.
Chase the sun ireland
Experience our most spectacular route, to Chase the Sun from sunrise on the Irish Sea at the historic Titanic docks of Belfast, up the dramatic coastal road and the Antrim Glens, heading inland to traverse forests, mountains, and loughs. Riders explore the mythical landscapes and landmarks of the ’emerald isle’. The Ireland route crosses the border of Northern and Republic of Ireland and finishes at sunset along the wild Atlantic Way beaches at Enniscrone.
While we didn’t quite beat the sun this year, we crossed the line with huge smiles – tired, emotional, and proud.
What's included?
- Training plan & expert advice webinars
- Route handbook & timing schedule
- Downloadable GPX/TCX files
- Live rider location tracking
- Grab-and-go snacks en-route
- Mechanic support at key stops
- On-course photographers
- Chase The Sun Finishers Medal
- & the famous orange ribbon!
Chase for a reason
Chase for children like Jack
Jack was born extremely prematurely at 25 weeks, weighing just 1lb 15oz. He needed oxygen, help with his breathing and feeding tubes to survive. He suffered a collapsed lung and brain bleeds and contracted the potentially deadly bowel infection necrotising enterocolitis. Jack went on to endure many more serious health problems and spent four and a half months in hospital fighting to survive before he was finally allowed home. Jack's mum is so grateful for the work that Action does:
"It is so important that studies like those funded by Action Medical Research are done. Without research, we wouldn’t have medical advances, and Jack probably wouldn’t be here."
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT ACTION
Cycling Events
With cycling challenges both in the UK and abroad, there's definitely a challenge waiting for you. From beginners to the very experienced and with routes ranging 20 miles to hundreds of miles, come and join us in the fight for little lives.
Race the Sun
Our triathlon-style Race the Sun series pits teams against each other in a race against the setting sun, competing to bike, hike and paddle around some of the UK's most beautiful locations.
Running
Whether you’re looking for your first challenge or you’re a seasoned runner we’ve got an event for you. We have places in the world’s greatest and best-known events and races.