Race the Sun | Lake District Keswick
Sat 6 Sep 2025 Keswick, Cumbria, UK Fundraising required 50% off

Race the Sun | Lake District Keswick

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

  • Sat 6 Sep 2025
  • Fundraising required
  • 50% off
Old Pencil Factory, Keswick

Race the Sun | Lake District Keswick

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

  • 40 miles road cycling
  • 10.5 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 in the stunning Lake District National Park and round off summer in style.

Highlights

  • Team triple challenge

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

  • Conquer Skiddaw

    Summit the mountain which dominates the skyline of this area for great 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 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

  • 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.

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-bikes. Not mountain 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

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
  • Free parking
  • Mountains
  • Rural
  • Toilets

Event HQ

Old Pencil Factory
Main Street
Keswick
Cumbria
CA12 5NH
UK

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

Stage 1 - Bike 34 miles

At sunrise, you will set off from the event base in Keswick for a 34-mile bike ride around the beautiful 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 back to the base in Keswick, you'll have the chance to change and refuel before starting on the next section.

road cycling

Stage 2 - Hike 10.5 miles

The 10.5 mile round trip begins with a steep walk up to Latrigg, a small hill on the outskirts of Keswick.

From here the slopes get steeper as the path zig-zags upwards. Before long you will be standing on the summit of Skiddaw which has an altitude of 931m.

From the summit, you will have a birds eye view of the cycle route and Derwentwater below where the water phase takes place.

hiking

Stage 3 - Paddle

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

In open-top canoes or kayaks, your team will navigate a 2-mile water course off the shores of Derwentwater nestled in the glorious Lake District National Park.

No canoe or kayak experience is necessary, and everything you need 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
  • Medal
  • Post-race meal

Included

what's included

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 and helmet 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 would need to fundraise £950
  • A team of 4 people would need to 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
  • Series discount

Entry fees

Pairs entry fee

£49.50

Minimum sponsorship

£950.00

Team entry fee

£99.00

Minimum sponsorship

£1900.00

Very well organised event, beautiful scenery, cracking day, friendly and helpful staff. Thoroughly recommended. Andrew K

The event was incredible and we were all really impressed how well it was all organised. The food provided before, during and after the race was amazing. The signage around the course was great. The logistics on the day and the communication leading up to the event was perfect. Matthew B

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! Finisher

Really helpful staff, never made to feel silly. The fact that a medal and drink and bbq are included was really fantastic. Anna G

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck