Race the Sun | Jurassic Coast Off-Road
Sat 29 Jun 2024 Wareham, Dorset, UK Entries closed

Race the Sun | Jurassic Coast Off-Road

An incredible dawn-to-dusk triple challenge for teams of 2 or 4 to bike, hike, paddle and experience the beautiful Jurassic Coast in a race against the setting sun.

  • Sat 29 Jun 2024
  • Entries closed
Corfe Castle, Wareham

Race the Sun | Jurassic Coast Off-Road

08:00

£49.50-£99

Age 16 & over

  • 28 miles mountain biking
  • 9 miles hiking
  • 2 miles kayaking

Overview

A new triathlon-style team challenge for 2024! 

Get together with friends and/or workmates to Race the Sun on a journey along the beautiful and renowned Jurassic Coast in Dorset featuring the rich history of Corfe Castle and Old Harry Rocks sea cliffs. 

Highlights

  • Team triple challenge

    Race the Sun along the historic and intriguing Jurassic Coast by bike, canoe and on foot.

  • Conquer the coastline

    Admire superb panoramic views from the heights of Egmont Point.

  • 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 2024 and stay motivated with your training.

  • Top organisation

    Brought to you by one of the most experienced charity events teams ever.

  • 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
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 bike, hard-tail 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.

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.

  • Bag storage
  • Coast
  • Free parking
  • Mountains
  • Rural
  • Toilets

Event HQ

Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle
Wareham
Dorset
BH20 5EZ
UK

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

Stage 1 - Bike 28 miles

After a hearty breakfast, you'll embark on a 28-mile ride through Dorset that packs a punch with some steep ascents and some thrilling descents.

The route takes in a huge mix of riding surfaces including dusty gravel trails, roads through the heart of Corfe and chalky ascents across Ballard Down.

mountain biking

The highlight of the route is a descent to Old Harry Rocks with a breathtaking vista of the Chalk Stacks with the Isle of Wight in the background across Poole and Bournemouth Bay.

Old Harry Rocks
Old Harry Rocks

Stage 2 - Hike 9 miles

The 9-mile circular route sets off from the calm waters of Kimmeridge Bay in the heart of the Jurassic Coast.

The route sees you hike by Clavell Tower and along the coastline from St Aldhelm’s head to Portland. The route has numerous steep climbs and descents, but the talking point will be the climb to Egmont Point which provides superb panoramic views along the coastline.

The route then heads inland to Kingston before the final climb up to Swyre Head, the highest point of the Isle of Purbeck, before returning to Kimmeridge Bay.

hiking

Stage 3 - Paddle

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

Launching from the beautiful Knoll Beach, teams will take to the sea in canoes or kayaks in the sheltered waters of Studland Bay.

The 2-mile route will be laid out with buoys and will head towards South Beach via Redend Point with the Chalk Stacks of Old Harry watching over the water.  

No canoe or kayak experience is necessary, and everything 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
  • Challenge leaders and marshals
  • Safety briefing
  • Way-marked route
  • Canoes/kayaks, paddles, buoyancy aids
  • Changeover stations with drinks and snacks
  • BBQ and celebratory drink at the finish
  • First aid support
  • Bike mechanics
  • Timing tracker
  • GPX route files
  • Inspirational fundraising support/materials
  • Finishers medal
  • Team awards

Not Included

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

  • 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 closed
  • Enter online
  • Fundraising required

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!