Race the Sun | Lake District Coniston Off-Road
Sat 17 May 2025 Coniston, Cumbria, UK Fundraising required 50% off

Race the Sun | Lake District Coniston Off-Road

An incredible dawn-to-dusk triple challenge off-road through the Lake District for teams of 2 or 4 to bike, hike and paddle in a race against the setting sun.

  • Sat 17 May 2025
  • Fundraising required
  • 50% off
Coniston, Coniston

Race the Sun | Lake District Coniston Off-Road

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

  • 23 miles mountain biking
  • 2.5 miles hiking + 803 m ascent
  • 2 miles kayaking

Event overview

The famous triathlon-style adventure charity fundraising challenge!

Get together with friends and/or workmates to Race the Sun in and around the village of Coniston which sits at the foot of one of Cumbria’s most popular and stunning fells, the Old Man of Coniston.

This challenge features an exciting off-road riding section that takes in the Lake District's diverse landscape and terrain, so it's an event not to be missed!

paddling

Highlights

  • Team triple challenge

    Race the Sun through the Lake District by bike, canoe and on foot.

  • Conquer the Old Man

    Summit one of Cumbria's most popular fells and stand atop the Old Man of Coniston for exhilarating panoramic views.

  • 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.

  • Mental and physical health

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

  • Top organisation

    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

  • Average fitness
  • 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
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.

Bike type

Gravel, mountain bike or e-bike. Not road or hybrid.

bikes

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
  • 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.

  • Accommodation
  • Bar
  • Cafe
  • Camping
  • Mountains
  • Paid parking
  • Restaurant
  • Rural
  • Toilets

Event HQ

Coniston
Coniston
Cumbria
LA21
UK

The village of Coniston, at the foot of one of Cumbria’s most popular and stunning fells, offers a truly striking setting for your route that includes an off-road bike section that explores the area's diverse terrain.

  • First aid
  • Food stations
  • Marshals
  • Mountainous
  • Out and back
  • Undulating
  • Water stations

Stage 1 - Bike 23 miles

A perfectly designed gravel/mountain biking route through an interesting mix of terrain and environments.

You will wake early for a pre-challenge breakfast before teams begin this exciting adventure with the off-road riding section.

The fully sign posted and marshalled 23-mile loop out of Coniston is approx. 75% off-road and 25% on- road and heads into the stunning Tilberthwaite Valley to Stang End.

With single-track and double- track with some interesting technical sections just to increase the challenge further (all technical sections can be walked if needed).

After a feed station on the shores of Windemere, the route follows the flat cycle path along the west side of England’s largest lake before you take on Hawkshead Hill, a big climb but well worth the effort for the fantastic off-road descent through the woods back to Coniston.

bike

Stage 2 - Hike 2.5 miles

Ascend of the Old Man of Coniston, one of the Lake District’s most iconic (and steepest!) peaks.

Next up is the steep, thigh-bursting trek to the summit of the Old Man of Coniston, a classic Lake District mountain looming over the surrounding countryside. 

At 803m it might not be the highest peak in the National Park, but you will ascend this height in under 2.5 miles of walking, so it’s a seriously steep test of your endurance!

From the summit you will have spectacular views over the lake to Grizedale Forest and beyond.

hike

Stage 3 - Paddle

The final section puts your teamwork to the test as you take to the water on one of the Lake District’s beautiful lakes.

Using canoes or kayaks, you will navigate around a 2-mile course on the water. All safety and canoe or kayak equipment is provided for you and you will be fully supported throughout by trained instructors, so no experience is needed.

paddle

Celebration

Upon completing the water section, it is a short walk back to the finish line to celebrate your achievements with your medal, a drink on us, and a well-deserved bite to eat!

food

Sustainability

  • Public transport links

  • Chip timing
  • GPS tracking
  • 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
trophies

Not Included

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

Bikes & helmets

Gravel, hard-tail mountain bike or e-bike. Not road or hybrid.

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.

  • 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.

Action Medical Research has been funding medical breakthroughs for 70 years.

They have helped to beat polio, fight meningitis, prevent stillbirths and develop ultrasound scanning in pregnancy, helping to save thousands of children’s lives and change many more. Today they continue to tackle the challenges disease and disability present by funding high-quality research to save and change children’s lives and are driving forward research to help protect children.

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
  • 400 places
  • Entries open
  • 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

First time doing an event like this. All the staff and support team were amazing. The route was very well marked out with signage and Marshalls along the way. Smooth transition areas with plenty of snacks. Would highly recommend. I’ll be doing another one next year! Amy P

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!

Brilliant atmosphere, great organisation, fantastic race around old Mount Coniston. Rickie W

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. Here’s to September 2023 when we’ll be taking part in the Keswick event.

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck