Adventure races
Adventure races mix multiple disciplines with navigation and self-sufficiency but there’s no fixed formula in adventure racing - events blend running, cycling (mountain biking or road), trekking and paddling with common add-ons like swimming, abseiling and more to spice things up and create true point-to-point adventures. The constant is the thrill: map in hand, team at your side, chasing checkpoints through wild places.
No two courses are the same. A fast dash across the Lakes in Race the Sun or Pedal Paddle Peak is a different beast to a multi-day epic overseas, but both demand smart pacing, solid teamwork and sharp decision-making. Formats you’ll find include:
- Sprint | a few hours - a perfect first event
- 12-hour | half a day of nonstop action
- 24-hour | a full day and through the night
- Multi-day | 2 to 10+ days, expedition style
Ready to get stuck in? Use the map or filters to find adventure races near you or scroll down to see events coming up - then dive into the event pages to enter.
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Map viewAdventure races in 2026-2027
Featured events are listed below - select a month/region or the map view to see all events.
- Sat 25 Apr
- £30-£400
- 50% off
Race The Sun South Downs
Take on the rolling hills of Sussex in this dawn-to-dusk team race. Cycle, hike and kayak across the South Downs while raising funds for Action Medical Research.
- 31 miles road cycling
- 10 miles hiking
- 2 miles kayaking
- Fri 15 - Sun 17 May
- £30
Keswick Mountain Festival
The UK's top outdoor sports festival! Incredible entertainment, sports events, speakers, live music, activities, brand expo, bars, food, drink and much more.
- 5K run 2
- 10K run
- Half marathon
- 50K ultra run
- Fell run
- + 14 more races
- Fri 15 - Sun 17 May
- £50-£140
Springboard to Summer
Kick off summer with sea kayak adventures on Dorset’s stunning coastline! Explore wild water, connect with fellow paddlers, share campfire stories and celebrate seaside freedom.
- 3 days kayaking
- Sat 13 Jun
- £30-£400
- 50% off
Race The Sun Lake District Off-Road
Ride, hike and kayak in the heart of the Lake District. Conquer Coniston’s off-road terrain at Race the Sun 2026 and support Action Medical Research.
- 23 miles mountain biking
- 2.5 miles hiking + 803 m ascent
- 2 miles kayaking
- Sat 27 Jun
- £30-£400
- 50% off
Race The Sun Jurassic Coast Off-Road
Experience Dorset’s iconic cliffs, trails and waters in a single day. Cycle, hike and kayak the Jurassic Coast while fundraising for Action Medical Research.
- 21 miles mountain biking
- 10 miles hiking
- 2 miles kayaking
- Sat 4 Jul
- £49-£395
Pedal Paddle Peak | Lake District
Grab a teammate and head to the Lake District to Pedal, Paddle, Peak and Party on this full-day, multi-activity challenge.
- 34 km road cycling
- 3 km canoeing
- 17 km hiking
- Sat 11 Jul
- £30-£400
- 50% off
Race The Sun Cheddar Gorge
Race against the sun through dramatic landscapes at Cheddar Gorge. Cycle, hike and kayak with your team while supporting Action Medical Research.
- 32 miles road cycling
- 9 miles hiking
- 2 miles kayaking
- Fri 17 Jul
- £1,400-£3,100
ITERA-lite Expedition Race SW England
Come to the beautiful South West of England for an unforgettable, life-changing adventure over two to three days of non-stop multisport adventure.
- 2 days hiking
- 2 days mountain biking
- 2 days kayaking
- Sat 5 Sep
- £30-£400
- 50% off
Race The Sun Lake District
Climb, ride and paddle your way across the Lake District. Join Race The Sun Lake District 2026 for a full-day challenge in aid of Action Medical Research.
- 34 miles road cycling
- 10.5 miles hiking
- 2 miles kayaking
- Fri 18 - Sun 20 Sep
- £50-£140
Summer Sigh
Two full days of adventure in Somerset based around sea kayaking and other coastal experiences — test your endurance, teamwork and spirit from sunrise to sunset.
- 2 days kayaking
- Sat 26 Sep
- £49-£395
Pedal Paddle Peak | The Jurassic Coast
New for 2026! Grab a teammate and head to the Jurassic Coast to Pedal, Paddle, Peak and Party on this full-day, multi-activity challenge.
- 40 km road cycling
- 3 km kayaking
- 17 km hiking
Questions? Check out our FAQs
Frequently asked questions about adventure racing and adventure races in the UK
A multi-discipline challenge that mixes trekking/running, mountain biking and paddling with navigation and self-sufficiency. Teams follow a course via checkpoints using a map and compass; some sections may be marked.
Events range from Sprint (a few hours) to 12-hour, 24-hour, and Multi-day (2–10+ days). Check each listing for distance, elevation and expected finish times.
Basic map and compass skills help. Many races include a pre-race briefing and marked sections, but you should be comfortable following a map, judging pace and making route choices.
Most events include trek/run, mountain bike and paddle (usually kayak or canoe). Some add ropes (abseil/zip), swim/coasteer, or other outdoor tasks depending on location and conditions.
Not always. Some courses skip paddling or offer alternatives if water conditions change. Each listing confirms whether a paddle stage is included and what’s provided.
Yes. Start with a Sprint or 12-hour race and build from there. Consistent running/trekking and cycling, plus a few navigation practice sessions, are enough to get you to the start line.
Most UK races are team-based (often 2–4 people) to share decisions, kit and morale; some shorter events allow solo entries. Check the entry details for team size and categories.
Expect trail shoes or hiking boots, a bike (usually mountain bike or gravel bike) with helmet, layered clothing, nutrition, hydration and a small first-aid kit. Organisers publish a mandatory kit list; paddling kit and PFDs are often supplied where needed and some events offer bike hire as well.
They’re challenging but do-able. Terrain, weather, elevation and cut-off times set the tone. Pacing well, eating regularly and staying on top of navigation are as important as pure speed.
Mix running/trekking and mountain biking, add some sessions combining more than one discipline (bike → run), and practice navigation in local parks or trails. If your race includes paddling, try to do a few short sessions on flat water if you can. Some events such as Race the Sun and Pedal Paddle Peak include training plans.
Yes. Races set checkpoint and course cut-offs for safety and daylight. Miss one and you may be asked to skip a section or take a shorted route - details are always in the race brief.
Adventure races near you
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