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Sea to Summit: Scafell Pike

2027 MINI EVENT GUIDE

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ARE YOU READY TO TAKE ON SEA TO SUMMIT: SCAFELL PIKE?

This is our Essential Event Information document, which contains a comprehensive round up of everything you need to know ahead of topping out at the highest trig point in England! Read on to find the answers to all your questions ahead of this adventure.

The countdown begins now..!

S2S: SCAFELL WEBSITE

MANDATORY KIT LIST

GPX FILE

PITSTOP PROVISIONS

KEY INFORMATION

TRACKER COLLECTION

Tracker Collection is on Saturday 4th September between 0530 - 0650 at Seascale Sports Hall (CA20 1PX).  You must collect your tracker on event day morning between these times. Please arrive to tracker collection at least 45 minutes before your wave start time ready with your pack so your tracker can be taped on.

ADVENTURE PACKS

These will be posted out in advance of the event. UK residents should expect to receive their adventure pack around 1-2 weeks before the event. International participants will be required to collect their adventure pack from Tracker Collection on event morning.

WAVES

Waves will be indicated by your bib number colour. 

  • RED bibs (Wave 1) will start at 0700 
  • BLUE bibs (Wave 2) will start at 0720.

If you entered Scafell under the trilogy pass, you will be in wave 1. If you have entered Scafell as an independent adventure i.e. not as part of the trilogy, you will be in the wave 2. These cannot be swapped or changed. If you miss your wave you can run in the next one but you cannot run earlier.

KEY LOCATIONS

Tracker Collection: Seascale Sports Hall CA20 1PX

Start: The start is on the beach on the other side of the Train tracks, it will be obvious on the day. 

Finish: Seascale Sports Hall CA20 1PX

START & FINISH LINE PARKING

The event parking is located on the edge of town and it is a 1 mile (20 min) walk to the start line.

The address is: Cross Lanes, Seascale CA20 1HJ and the Google pin for the entrance is HERE

This will also be signposted with 'Rat Race Parking' signage.

You can purchase parking via your RR account until 9th August 2027. You will receive a parking pass within your adventure pack to display in your windscreen. After this date, parking passes will be available to purchase on the day, subject to availability.  We strongly recommend purchasing these before 9th August.

If the weather is particularly wet in the lead up to the event we will switch the parking location to a different field a further 2 miles away. This is our wet weather contingency parking. If the switch is made we will communicate this via email before the 3rd September and there will be buses to shuttle you to the start location from the contingency car park and back again after the event. 

TRAVEL

  • Car: Many people travelling by car can underestimate how long it will take to navigate the roads in the Lake District.  For example Windermere is only 50 miles away from our startline but that will be about a 90min drive.
  • Public Transport: It is also possible to access Seascale by bus and train of course but this may take some time depending on where you are travelling from so do plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time.

BAG DROP

You can leave one bag at Seascale Sports Hall on Saturday morning for collection once you cross the finish line later in the day. Please do ensure that your bag is waterproof as it may be exposed to the elements for all or part of the day. Please also ensure you bag is labelled with the bag tag included in your adventure pack.

TRANSFER DEADLINE

The transfer deadline is 4th August 2027 (S2S: Scafell & Trilogy pass holders). You can find more information on our transfer policy HERE and submit a request via your RR account. We are unable to process any transfer requests or make any exceptions after the deadline has passed.​

FINISH LINES NOT FINISH TIMES

At Rat Race we are all about finish lines not finish times, our events are not races they are adventures designed for everyone to come and have a go at. We will provide an overall finish time, but it will not be split by gender or age category and there are no podium positions.

VOLUNTEER

Do you have a supporter who would love to get involved?

We are currently on the look out for hi-vis heroes to volunteer in various roles and help build the incredible atmosphere #ratracers know and love!

As a volunteer they will receive: 

  • £50 cash travel contribution

  • £150 event credit or a Rat Race kit bundle

  • A crew Rat Rag 

  • Access to hot drinks/snacks/food

  • A fun day out! 

Available shifts

Available shifts can be viewed here and the Rat Race team will be in touch ahead of the event to answer any questions you may have and provide your briefing docs. You can also contact the volunteer team on staffing@ratrace.com if you have any questions ahead of signing up!

ROUTE

OVERVIEW

At 33 miles and over 5600ft of ascent this is a beast! The route will be fully waymarked so there is no need for navigation. We thoroughly recommend you keep your head up not only to see the signs but to also appreciate the magnificent views!

As you would expect for a Sea to Summit mountain event, there are sections of mountainous terrain along our route. The mountain sections are predominantly on good, firm single-track paths, however the ground on these paths is uneven, as you would expect it to be in a natural environment. This is very much what makes it fun, but it does mean that caution is required to keep your footing!

There are some very short, easy scramble sections, found between the summit of Scafell Pike and Sca Fell. That’s right, there are 2 summit to conquer. Scrambling means sections where you may wish to use your hands for stability and balance. Any such sections will always have qualified Mountain Leaders in position as marshals to offer guidance and support, should you want it. 

WAYMARKING & GPX

The GPX file is now available HERE. It is important to remember the orange waymarking arrows always take precedence over the GPX file. If the two are ever in conflict, follow the arrows as it may have been necessary for the event team to make small live dynamic changes on the route e.g. fallen tree.

​You will be shown examples of our waymarking at the start line briefing. This is predominantly hi-vis ORANGE arrows with the RR logo on, in addition you may see large hi-vis orange and yellow information signage or race tape. This will always have the RR logo on, please do not follow any signage that doesn't.

PITSTOPS

​There will be 3 pitstops at approx:

  • 6.5 miles

  • 14 miles

  • 26 miles

These will be stocked with an array of tasty small snacks, including hot drinks but please note this is not a full lunch provision, you should bring your own supply of food with you and use our stations as top ups! We endeavour to cater to a wide range of dietary needs but due to the nature of operation we are unable to guarantee there is no cross contamination.

If you have a severe allergy we recommend bringing your own stash with you.

We do not provide sports nutrition products at our Pit Stops as these are a personal choice and you should have tried and tested supplements with you.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PITSTOP PROVISION GUIDE

CUT OFFS

Cut offs are enforced and they are applied to your departure time not your arrival time into the location. If you are cut off, you will be transported forward on the course using our sweeper vehicle. If you have supporters, they can pick you up if you wish.

Note about Scafell Pike summit. In order to complete the course you must be through the summit of Scafell Pike by 1500. If you arrive between 1500 and 1600 you will be returned to PS2, unable to complete the course. All waymarking and safety teams are removed from the onward route at this time.


From 1600, the summit team will descend to PS2 and escort everyone remaining on the hill down to PS2 for onward transport to PS3 if before the 1920 cut off or the finish if after this time.

  • Start: Wave 1 0700 / Wave 2 0720

  • PS1: 6.5 miles. Cut off 1000

  • PS2: 12.6 miles. Cut off 1300

  • Maiden Castle: 20 miles. Cut off 1700

  • PS3: 26 miles. Cut off 1920

  • Finish 33 miles

TOILETS

Toilets will be available at all 3 pitstop locations. The closest toilets to the start line are at the Tracker Collection venue so please do ensure you utilise these before heading across to the start!

Period Products

We’ve got your back...period! In our ongoing drive to increase female participation and inclusivity in our adventures, you will now find disposable sanitary bins in designated toilets and a box stocked with period products at every location where we provide toilet facilities because let’s face it, surprises are only fun when they’re cake-related! Whether you planned ahead or got caught off guard, we’ve got you covered so you can focus on what is important, enjoying the adventure ahead. If you ever reach a pitstop and cannot see these products, please ask a member of the crew who will be able to point you in the right direction!

MANDATORY KIT 

Taking on Sea to Summit: Scafell Pike is no small feat and you need to ensure you are fully prepared and kitted up for the ascending adventure from the shores of Seascale to the highest point in England!

The weather in the Lake District, even in early September, is notoriously unpredictable. Clear skies can quickly turn into heavy rain, strong winds, and low visibility. Temperatures can drop significantly at higher altitudes, and underfoot conditions may include slippery rock, bog, or loose scree.

The mandatory kit requirements are in place not only to give you the best chance of taking on the adventure but ultimately for your safety. Should you be unable to continue the event and require assistance, the correct equipment will help ensure you remain as safe, warm, and dry as possible while waiting for help. This is particularly critical in remote or exposed areas where delays in reaching you may be unavoidable.

Spot checks will be carried out throughout the event at pitstops. Any #ratracer found without the mandatory kit will not be permitted to continue. These rules are non-negotiable and are designed to protect both you and our event staff.

Please review the full kit list carefully and ensure you carry every item. Your preparation could make all the difference not just for finishing the challenge, but for staying safe while doing so.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD MANDATORY KIT LIST

KIT CHECK

We have outlined why carrying each item of the mandatory kit is essential for your safety and success during the event within the document above. Please be aware that there will be random kit checks at various pitstops, with a particular focus at Pitstop 2, where we will be checking for waterproofs before you head for the summit. We reserve the right to check any item of mandatory kit during the event and you will be unable to continue should you not have required kit.

RAT RACE STORE

As a #RatRacer you now have a 15% discount in our store so you can get kitted out for your next adventure. Use the code RATRACE15 to save 15% on full priced kit only, excludes event specific merchandise and bundles.

VISIT RAT RACE STORE

Man stood on trig point at top of Ben Nevis

START

Supporters are welcome to park at Seascale Beach car park. This directly overlooks the start on Seascale Beach.

PITSTOP ACCESS

PS1/PS3 (no access to supporter vehicles) - We use the same venue location to serve as PS1 and PS3 on this event, so this venue will be busy. It's a small village hall with one way in and out, and this entrance will be used by runners coming in and out of the site. Unfortunately, we can't have supporter vehicles coming and going through this same entrance / exit as the vehicles would pose a safety risk to the runners. There is strictly no supporter vehicle access to PS1 / PS3. 

If you wish to access PS1 / PS3 by foot, this is permitted. There is a small public car park 10-minute walk away to the East along Bowerhouse Bank road. Alternatively, there is the Bridge Inn car park 3 mins walk away to the West along Whitecroft road, however this is for patrons only and you should only park here if you intend to purchase something from the pub too. 

PS2 - This can be accessed by road, however the route driven to get to the PS will follow some of the running route. Any supporters travelling to or from PS2 should pay extra attention and caution to runners / walkers who may be on the road. 

ALONG THE ROUTE

The route passes several public car parks that would pose as good vantage points to support runners. 

  • Sawmill Cafe & Farm Shop, the sawmill, Nether Wasdale, Seascale CA20 1ET. This has parking 50m off the route at 14km. 

  • Overbeck Car Park, Seascale CA20 1EX. This is directly on the route at 20km.

  • Wasdale Lake Head Car Park, Seascale CA20 1EX. This is just off the route at 21.5km. From here, supporters could turn west and see runners just before PS2 or head East up the hill and see runners after PS2 as they begin their ascent up the mountain. 

  • Bridge Inn, Whitecroft, Santon Bridge, Holmrook CA19 1UX. This is a great spot to support from, as long as you remain respectful to the pub owners and either purchase something, or check that they are happy for you to use their car park if you are not offering them custom. Runners pass here at 10km and 42km. They have outdoor tables and this is directly on the route. 

Finish

Supporters are welcome to park at Seascale Beach car park. From here it is a 2 min walk to the finish at Seascale Sports Hall.

Woman running on track with colourful dark sky above her