Race the Sun | Lake District Keswick

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. 

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

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
• 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.

Event HQ

Old Pencil Factory
Main Street
Keswick
Cumbria
CA12 5NH
UK

An unforgettable team challenge in and around the stunning Keswick, nestled between striking mountains and at the foot of one of Cumbria’s most popular fells, Skiddaw.

Stage 1 - Bike 40 miles

At sunrise, you will set off from the event base in Keswick for a 40-mile bike ride.

Follow 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.

Stage 2 - Hike 11 miles

Your team will summit Skiddaw on an 11-mile round trip to an altitude of 931m.

Begin with 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.

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

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!

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!

Included

• Safety briefing
• Training plan
• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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