Race The Sun | Cheddar Gorge
Sat 12 Jul 2025 Cheddar, Somerset, UK Fundraising required 50% off

Race The Sun | Cheddar Gorge

New for 2025! An incredible dawn-to-dusk triple challenge for teams of 2 or 4 to bike, hike, paddle and experience the spectacular Cheddar Gorge in a race against the setting sun.

  • Sat 12 Jul 2025
  • Fundraising required
  • 50% off
Cheddar Gorge, Cheddar

Race The Sun | Cheddar Gorge

Exclusive 50% off automatically applied

08:00

Age 16 & over

Pairs entry fee

£49.50

Minimum sponsorship

£950.00

Team entry fee

£99.00

Minimum sponsorship

£1900.00

  • 25 miles road cycling
  • 9 miles hiking
  • 2 miles kayaking

Event overview

The famous triathlon-style adventure charity fundraising challenge!

Get together with friends and/or workmates to Race the Sun on a journey through the spectacular and renowned Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, home to many caverns and, of course, the nation's favourite cheese too!

Highlights

  • Team triple challenge

    Race the Sun along the historic and intriguing Jurassic Coast by bike, canoe and on foot.

  • Conquer the coastline

    Admire superb panoramic views from the heights of Egmont Point.

  • Twos or fours

    Ideal for pairs, couples and groups of friends, family and colleagues.

  • Challenge leaders

    Equipment and guidance is included so you can focus on the task in hand.

  • Mental and physical health

    Set an achievable goal for 2025 and stay motivated with your training.

  • Top organisation

    Brought to you by one of the most experienced charity events teams ever.

  • Top reviews

    Highly recommended - read the reviews here.

  • Action Medical Research

    Race for a reason and save the lives of sick babies and children.

Event video

  • Fancy dress
  • Newcomers
  • Spectators
  • Teams

Who is it for?

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. 

Pairs
teams of 4
Teams of 4

It's achievable by people with a reasonable fitness level who are prepared to train beforehand. The more you train, the more you’ll enjoy it.

It’s a great incentive to get fit and work different muscles, knowing you’re raising funds for an excellent cause at the same time.

Need a team?

If you’re unable to make up a team then please get in touch as it may be possible to match you with teams looking for members.

Bike type

Road, hybrid or e-bike.

As the route is on-road, using a mountain bike is 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 will provide your own bike which should be in good working order. Getting your bike serviced before the event is recommended.

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.

E-bikes

In the interests of fairness using an e-bike means the entire team will not be eligible for any of the ‘fastest team’ award categories.

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

Fancy dress award

There is a Best Dressed Team Award for those who want to go the extra mile! It's about having fun and raising money for charity.

Itinerary

Friday

  • 18:00-21:00 | 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

  • 07:00-08:00 | Race the Sun begins! Teams depart in waves

Sunday

  • 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.

Spectators

Why not make a weekend of it with friends and family?! Supporters will be able to join you at the event HQ, then track your progress live online.

  • Bag storage
  • Rural
  • Toilets

Event HQ

Cheddar Gorge
Cheddar
Somerset
BS27 3QF
UK

  • First aid
  • Food stations
  • Hilly
  • Marshals
  • Out and back
  • Water stations

Stage 1 - Bike 25 miles

Set off on a 25 mile ride through Somerset that takes in the best of the west!

The route tackles ascents, and some rewarding descents, as you weave your way round quaint villages. Admire the views of Blagdon Lake as you pedal your way to Butcombe before heading back to the Gorge.

The highlight of the route is the ascent through Cheddar Gorge - a must for any cyclist.

cyclists

Stage 2 - Hike 9 miles

The 9-mile circular route gives a panoramic views of the Gorge as you ascend to the top ridge to start your hike. Paths are all big wide bridleways with no difficulty underfoot.

walker

Stage 3 - Paddle

Lifejackets on, it's now time to take on the final stage of the challenge!

Launching into Cheddar Reservoir, teams will take to the water in canoes or kayaks.

The 2-mile course will be easy to navigate, following buoys around the reservoir to complete the paddle.

No canoe or kayak experience is necessary, and everything will be provided. Just bring some clothes you don't mind getting wet and a sense of adventure!

kayaking

Once completed, all that's left is a short walk to the finish line for a well-deserved drink and a celebratory BBQ!

Sustainability

  • Public transport links

  • Chip timing
  • GPS tracking
  • Map
  • Medal
  • Post-race meal

Included

what's included
  • Safety briefing
  • Changeover stations with drinks & snacks
  • Team awards & finishers medal
  • Canoe or kayak equipment
  • Bike mechanics & first aiders
  • Marshals & signage
  • Timing tracker & GPX route files
  • BBQ & celebratory drink at the finish line

Not Included

  • Bikes & helmets
  • Accommodation if required
  • Travel to and from the event
  • Personal clothing
  • Personal spending money
  • Insurance

Bikes & helmets

Road, hybrid or e-bike.

You will provide your own bike which should be in good working order. Getting your bike serviced before the event is recommended.

As the route is on-road, using a mountain bike is 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. 

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.

E-bikes

In the interests of fairness using an e-bike means the entire team will not be eligible for any of the ‘fastest team’ award categories.

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

  • Fundraising materials
  • Fundraising required
  • Fundraising support
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sponsorship target

The training and fundraising are part of the challenge!

  • Each challenger will pay the registration fee and commit to raising the sponsorship target
  • A team of 2 people will fundraise £950
  • A team of 4 people will fundraise £1,900
  • Your team can have a joint fundraising page so it's a team effort

Action Medical Research

Race the Sun is organised by children’s charity, Action Medical Research.

By taking part, not only will you have a great time with first-class support throughout the day, but you’ll also be helping to raise vital funds to help sick and disabled babies and children.

baby
RACE FOR A REASON
Race 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.

  • Age 16 & over
  • Entries open
  • Collect race pack
  • Enter online
  • Fundraising required

16-17 year olds must be accompanied by their parent or guardian throughout the challenge.

Please note that by registering for this event you are committing to fundraising a minimum of £1900 for a four-person team and £950 for a two-person team for children's charity Action Medical Research.

Funds raised will help fund groundbreaking research that will help save and change children's and babies lives.

Entry fees

Pairs entry fee

£49.50

Minimum sponsorship

£950.00

Team entry fee

£99.00

Minimum sponsorship

£1900.00

The event was brilliantly ran by the organisation and everyone was very friendly. The challenge itself was tough and definitely required more training than I expected. Really good day and excited for 2025. Chris P

From the moment we registered the updates and support was fantastic, from fundraising ideas to event info and guidance. On the day all the marshals were so friendly and motivational, I personally thank each and everyone for this. The food was all on point and the safety was never in doubt, brilliant event and I highly recommend. Vicki E

Beautiful setting and a stunning cycle course and kayak. Fuelling before, during and after the event was delicious and plentiful. Event space well organised and maintained during the event. Really friendly and helpful volunteers. Event was on the right side of challenging. Thank you to all the team for a really memorable day. Jenny H

Well organised by super friendly people. Loved the bike ride and the canoe. The climb was incredibly hard but we got there and back. Surprised and pleased to get a trophy for fastest mixed 4 person group. Not bad for our first event like this. Matthew K

Absolutely sensational event. Exceptional organisation with a fantastic team . Also a big fan that they had thought so much about sustainability, from the pre comms through to the choice of medals. Brilliant. Jo C

I can highly recommend getting involved with an Action event, not only for participation in a personally challenging event, but also to support a very deserved charity. I will definitely participate again in the future!

We had a fantastic weekend, and loved the novelty of doing 3 different disciplines. What took the event from being really good to being really special was the atmosphere created by the Action staff and the other participants who were all incredible!

Race the Sun Cheddar Gorge is brand new for 2025 so these reviews are from another challenge in the same series, Race the Sun Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), with thanks to RaceCheck