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 2025/2026
Featured events are listed below - select a month/region or the map view to see all events.
- Sat 25 Apr 2026
- £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.
Exclusive 50% discount applied
- 31 miles road cycling
- 10 miles hiking
- 2 miles kayaking
- Fri 15 - Sun 17 May 2026
- £30
- Early bird
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.
Early bird on now
- 5K run 2
- 10K run
- Half marathon
- 50K ultra run
- Fell run
- + 12 more races
- Sat 13 Jun 2026
- £30-£400
- 50% off
Race the Sun | Lake District Coniston 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.
Exclusive 50% discount applied
- 23 miles mountain biking
- 2.5 miles hiking + 803 m ascent
- 2 miles kayaking
- Sat 27 Jun 2026
- £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.
Exclusive 50% discount applied
- 21 miles mountain biking
- 10 miles hiking
- 2 miles kayaking
- Sat 4 Jul 2026
- £49-£395
- 50% off
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.
50% off with code
- 34 km road cycling
- 3 km canoeing
- 17 km hiking
- Sat 11 Jul 2026
- £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.
Exclusive 50% discount applied
- 32 miles road cycling
- 9 miles hiking
- 2 miles kayaking
- Sat 5 Sep 2026
- £30-£400
- 50% off
Race the Sun | Lake District Keswick
Climb, ride and paddle your way across the Lake District. Join Race the Sun Keswick 2026 for a full-day challenge in aid of Action Medical Research.
Exclusive 50% discount applied
- 34 miles road cycling
- 10.5 miles hiking
- 2 miles kayaking
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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