CHOOSE TO FUNDRAISE FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER UK AND EARN A REFUND ON YOUR ENTRY FEE. FIND OUT MORE.
OUR BRAND NEW SEA TO SUMMIT ULTRAMARATHON TRILOGY
The Rat Race Sea to Summit trilogy takes you to the summit of the high points of England, Scotland and Wales along 3 spectacular and varied ultra-distance routes. Popular since time eternal, “the 3 peaks“ probably need no introduction. But the way these routes have been laid down is a totally fresh take on this threesome of classic British mountains. With routes specially and uniquely designed by us, if you know Rat Race you’ll already know that these will not be your standard days out on these tops.
So buckle up and join us for our own unique take on Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), as we take you from sea level to the summits of Britain’s 3 home-nation high points, Rat Race-style.
2024 EVENT DATES:
BEN NEVIS 31ST AUG
SCAFELL PIKE 28TH SEP
YR WYDDFA 12TH OCT
YOUR ADVENTURE LEADER
James
Your Leader for this series of adventures is our ultrarunning machine James.
COMPLETE ALL 3 EVENTS TO EARN
THE GOLD TRILOGY MEDAL
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
WAYMARKED AND SUPPORTED
Fully waymarked route with Pit Stop support.
TRANSFER POLICY
Flexible transfer policy up to 1 month before the event.
SAFETY
Professional 4x4 support vehicles, paramedics and mountain safety. Audited and accredited to BS8848 expedition safety standard.
MEMENTOS
Finishers medal and Rat Rag for all participants. Earn the gold trilogy medal for completing all three adventures.
RAISE £500 AND GET YOUR ENTRY REFUNDED
SET UP YOUR JUST GIVING PAGE OR CLICK THE CHARITY TAB TO FIND OUR MORE
JUST GIVING PAGE SET UP LINKS: BEN NEVIS SCAFELL PIKE YR WYDDFA
The high point of the entire UK needs no introduction and topping out at this trig point will be an enormous accomplishment for anyone who lines up on this stunning west coast Highland startline. The manner in which our route starts out is not the normal way you’d ascend “The Ben,” commencing as it does out on the wild Atlantic coast of Loch Linnhe with views stretching all the way to the west over dramatic Highland landscapes. Boasting 95% trail, you will pass through ancient woodland, past thundering waterfalls, gorges, hidden Lochans and over remote moorland as you wind your way ever closer towards “The Ben.”
LOCATION:
BEN NEVIS, SCOTLAND
DATE:
31ST AUGUST 2024
DISTANCE:
29 MILES +6000FT ELEVATION
DIFFICULTY RATING: CAN I DO THIS?
You should be a competent runner or a strong hiker.
Completion pace: 3mph
Terrain: 95% Trail 5% Road
Start time: From 0630
Registration location: Friday 30th August 1400 - 2200 Nevis Range Mountain Experience Resort (PH33 6SQ)
Finish location: Nevis Range Mountain Experience Resort (PH33 6SQ)
Parking: This event includes a mandatory coach transfer to the coastal startline. You can park at the Finish location on event morning (cost £10 per car) and you will get on a bus in accordance with your wave. Coach timings will be published in the pre-event information in July 2024.
Supporters: Supporters are unable to access the startline which is on private land with no parking available. We will publish recommended access points for your supporters closer to the event date or they could look at joining us on the event as a volunteer to get involved!
Where to stay: There is an abundance of local accommodation nearby, we recommend grabbing somewhere in or near Fort William.
Pit Stops and Cut Offs
Our Pit Stops are designed to support you on your ultra adventure. They are places where you can access facilities such as toilets and medical help if needed, you can also interact with the Rat Race staff at these touchpoints. We aim to provide you with some staples to enhance your own adventure nutrition plan, these will include as a minimum:
Water
Hot drinks
Salty snacks
Sweets
Fruit
You should not solely rely on Pit Stops for your nutrition and you should use it to augment your own supplies. 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.
Our Pit Stop locations are also where our cut offs are enforced. These times reflect the time you must LEAVE the Pit Stop by and not arrive.
PS1 7.5 miles 1000
PS2 14 miles 1230 – the last stop before your ascent of Ben Nevis
PS3 24 miles 1900
FINISH 29 miles
The Lake District is England’s picture-perfect mountain mecca and the landscape plays host to some of the most beautiful trails in the country. From our seaside startline we head inland on quiet country lanes, towards the brooding peaks beyond. Hitting the trails in Wasdale, we will trace the shore of the imposing Wast Water before our glorious ascent of Scafell Pike begins. The descent traces a different descent to come full circle to where you commenced your journey back at the coast.
LOCATION:
SCAFELL PIKE, ENGLAND
DATE:
28TH SEPTEMBER 2024
DISTANCE:
31 MILES +5600FT ELEVATION
DIFFICULTY RATING: CAN I DO THIS?
You should be a competent runner or a strong hiker.
Completion pace: 3mph
Terrain: 60% Trail 40% Road
Start time: From 0730
Registration location: Friday 27th September 1400 - 2200 Seascale Sports Hall (CA20 1PU)
Finish location: Seascale Sports Hall (CA20 1PU)
Parking: You can park at our event village on Saturday at the Seascale Sports Hall for £10 per car and walk to the startline from here.
Supporters: Supporters will be able to cheer their runner over the start and finish line from our event village. We will publish recommended access points on the route for your supporters closer to the event date or they could look at joining us on the event as a volunteer to get involved!
Where to stay: The Lake District is not short of accommodation options! Our start is in Seascale which has a handful of seaside B&Bs and a local campsite available or you could look further up and down the coast. Please remember it takes longer than you think to drive anywhere in the Lake District! For example Windermere is only 50 miles away from our startline but that will be about a 90min drive.
Pit Stops and Cut Offs
Our Pit Stops are designed to support you on your ultra adventure. They are places where you can access facilities such as toilets and medical help if needed, you can also interact with the Rat Race staff at these touchpoints. We aim to provide you with some staples to enhance your own adventure nutrition plan, these will include as a minimum:
Water
Hot drinks
Salty snacks
Sweets
Fruit
You should not solely rely on Pit Stops for your nutrition and you should use it to augment your own supplies. 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.
Our Pit Stop locations are also where our cut offs are enforced. These times reflect the time you must LEAVE the Pit Stop by and not arrive.
PS1 6 miles 0930
PS2 13 miles 1230 – the last stop before your ascent of Scafell Pike
PS3 24 miles 1900
FINISH 31 miles
The highest mountain in Wales is an absolute classic, however in true Rat Race style this is not the way you’d normally go up Snowdon and you will enjoy a lesser-seen side of the mountain on our totally unique Sea to Summit route. Starting from the coast at Fort Belan you will make your way through stunning Snowdonia scenery towards Beddgelert on the much quieter and utterly dramatic southern side of the mountain. From there you will continue your ascent to the summit via the Watkins Path and the South Ridge before descending via the Rhyd Ddu path. We are no strangers to Snowdon with a decade + of staging events in the area, we think that this course will give you a totally fresh take on this famous and glorious peak.
LOCATION:
YR WYDDFA (SNOWDON)
WALES
DATE:
12TH OCTOBER 2024
DISTANCE:
33 MILES +6300FT ELEVATION
DIFFICULTY RATING: CAN I DO THIS?
You should be a competent runner or a strong hiker.
Completion pace: 3mph
Terrain: 75% Trail 25% Road
Start time: From 0700
Registration location: Friday 11th October 1400 - 2200 Bron y Feds Uchaf, Rhyd Ddu (LL54 7YS)
Finish location: Bron y Feds Uchaf, Rhyd Ddu (LL54 7YS)
Parking: You can park at our finish location (£10 per car) and book a seat on our shuttle service to the startline for £10 per person. Alternatively you can have your supporter drop you off at the startline near Caernarfon
Supporters: Supporters will be able to cheer their runner over the start and finish line from our event village. We will publish recommended access points on the route for your supporters closer to the event date or they could look at joining us on the event as a volunteer to get involved!
Where to stay: There are lots of local options available. If you want to stay near the startline we would recommend booking accommodation in the neighbouring town of Caernarfon. If you were looking for accommodation near the finish there are a few local B&Bs in Rhyd-Ddu or you’re up for a drive there are more options available in Beddgelert or Llanberis.
Pit Stops and Cut Offs
Our Pit Stops are designed to support you on your ultra adventure. They are places where you can access facilities such as toilets and medical help if needed, you can also interact with the Rat Race staff at these touchpoints. We aim to provide you with some staples to enhance your own adventure nutrition plan, these will include as a minimum:
Water
Hot drinks
Salty snacks
Sweets
Fruit
You should not solely rely on Pit Stops for your nutrition and you should use it to augment your own supplies. 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.
Our Pit Stop locations are also where our cut offs are enforced. These times reflect the time you must LEAVE the Pit Stop by and not arrive.
PS1 11 miles 1130
PS2 17 miles 1330
PS3 25 miles 1600 - this is the last Pit Stop before your ascent of Yr Wyddfa
FINISH 33 miles
You can earn our epic gold Sea to Summit Trilogy medal by completing all 3 events in the series. You can do this all in one year or take it over 2 or 3. When you cross the finishline of your final event in the set you will be awarded your Trilogy medal at the finish!
Discounted Trilogy passes for wave 3 are now available, wave 1 passes are sold out. Please make sure you read the Trilogy pass terms and conditions on the pricing section of this website to understand what this pass entails.
The nature of an adventure is that sometimes, the uncertain becomes certain! That is all part of the adventure. Whilst we will always strive to pull off ‘Plan A,’ it may well be that for any one of a number of reasons, we cannot do so and we ned to wheel put Plan B, C or D. We do line up contingencies for many eventualities of course. But it is worth knowing that the course may change if we deem it prudent for your safety or for other operational or weather-based reasons and we must always reserve the right to do so. Ultimately our skill and judgement in organising such events is part of why you are entering, so we must be able to exercise this on your behalf where we deem it necessary. If we do have to make a route change, we will strive to inform you in good time (if that is possible). Usually, these unforeseen changes simply add to the flavour of proceedings and provide for a good story to tell at day’s end!
Getting to the start line is important and we are there to help you as best we can. However, if you feel on reflection that it is just not your time yet, we do have a transfer system that you can use to transfer out, receive Rat Race credit and come back again next year or do something else. Credit is typically valid for 12 months and there is a fee to be paid for transferring out in this way. We want to be really clear that this option is there for you if you need it, but it does have a deadline. View our full terms and conditions here. Trilogy passes cannot be transferred after 30th July 2024
The simple answer is yes, the mandatory kit is mandatory and you will need to show us all the items on the list at Registration and then spot checks will be carried out on the bus. The headtorch is mandatory due to the potential finish in the dark, we appreciate some of you may be planning to be done and dusted way before dusk! But on the day you never know what might happen up on the mountain, so please respect the list, respect the environment and carry all the kit at all times
If you choose to fundraise for our partner charity Children with Cancer UK and raise over £500 you can get your entry fee refunded! Please check our charity information tab on this site for more information about this. You are welcome to fundraise for any cause but the refund offer is only available for Children with Cancer UK and if you are a charity looking to purchase places for your fundraisers please get in touch to access our charity rates.
Yes you can! We welcome support on all of our events and if you would love to join our on the day crew please click here to find our more about shifts and rewards. This is the perfect opportunity for your supporters to get stuck into the action! Volunteer spots open in January 2024.
We’ve put together a fantastic instalment plan that allows you to choose how many months you want to spread the cost of this brilliant adventure over. You can pay it off all in one go or spread it over as many months as you like before the event date, totally interest free. There is no credit check required to use this facility. When you sign up to the instalment plan Rat Race will then set up a reoccurring payment and your card will be debited on the same date each month. If there is an error with your payment you will receive reminders from Stripe, our payment provider, and also the Rat Race customer service team. After 3 attempts to contact you if the outstanding balance remains unpaid we will assume you wish to cancel your entry and will withdraw you from the event and you will not be eligible to enter our transfer process and no monies will be refunded. Instalment plans end 3 months before the event date.
Add Refund Protect to your booking during purchase and receive a full refund of your entry fee if you are unable to attend the event due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. PLEASE NOTE this protection is with our 3rd party partner Refund Protect and NOT Rat Race. In the event you make a refund application this is administered by the Refund Protect customer service team, Rat Race are not privy to the application and cannot intervene on your behalf to influence the outcome determined by their team.
To check the full list of qualifying unforeseen circumstances that are protected please click here to view Refund Protect terms and conditions.
To add Refund Protect (administered by a 3rd party) to your Rat Race booking simply select this option when presented during the entry process. Refund Protect cannot be added retrospectively. Rat Race will then send you name and booking details to Refund Protect in order to protect your transaction with them. If you opt to pay in instalments and transfer your entry before the entry cost is full paid you will be liable to ensure the cost of Refund Protect has been fully covered. This total amount will be deducted from any Rat Race credit due through the transfer process or you will be invoiced by Rat Race for the outstanding amount as Rat Race have paid this on your behalf to Refund Protect at point of entry.
By entering this event you agreed that you have entered in your own name (not nickname) and will bring photographic ID to event registration to prove your identity. If you cannot prove your identity at that time then you won’t be able to complete registration and therefore won’t be able to take part. Please note Registration is Friday before the event only, you cannot register on Saturday morning. Registration will be open from 2pm until 10pm please plan your travel accordingly.
No. Dogs will not be allowed to accompany runners. While many of us love dogs some runners and crew do not, and they complicate the event management. This event is not suitable for dogs for several reasons and would complicate the event support processes including medical rescue, our sweeper logistics, our pledges to farmers with livestock, hygiene where we are serving food, areas that are busy with traffic.
All 3 events are designed to be completed at an average pace of 3mph which is a strong hiking pace over this terrain. If you are planning to walk from the beginning you should have a good amount of hill training under your belt by event day and be confident in your ability to maintain a decent average pace in different weather conditions. You also need to ensure you have practised your nutrition plan and you know how to manage your energy levels over a period of 10 – 12 hours. You should aim to have completed a 20 - 25 mile hike in your training.
If you are planning to run this event you should follow a training plan that suits your current running abilities incorporating hill reps and strength training. We recommend apps such as Runna or finding an online marathon or 50km plan and following that in the 6 months preceding your event.
Rat Race’s ethos has always been about inspiring folk to undertake challenges in awesome outdoor locations. Our Sea to Summit adventures are not formal race environments and there are no winners and losers and we do not award prizes for the fastest folk. We think of them as races with a small ‘r’. We use GPS trackers to record times and we publish these time for your information and comparison as we know everyone does their best and many want to see how their efforts compared to others. Rat Race totally appreciate the incredible commitment of those taking on the challenges we lay down and each participant is as important as the next regardless of how fast you can run.
The route is fully waymarked with our signature orange arrows with marshals at key locations. On the mountain sections we have a paid professional mountain safety team on the course who can assist you if you get into trouble on the mountain.
You will be given a Rat Rag at Registration with your adventure pack and you will earn a beautiful metal medal at the finish line of each event. If you complete all 3 you also earn the stunning gold Trilogy medal!
T-shirts are not included as standard but you can add one to your entry for £15 during sign up or at a later date. This is based on feedback that our #ratracers would prefer a lower entry price and the option to add a tshirt vs having one included as standard to add to their never-ending pile of event tees!
This is an example kit list for our mountain events and it will be very similar to the kit list issued for the UK Sea to Summit Trilogy.
Subject to small changes depending on weather conditions.
-
Ultra running vest or Multisport backpack
-
Trail running shoes
-
Hydration bladder or bottle with a capacity of at least 1L. We will increase this to 2L if the forecast is hot and dry.
-
Snacks or sports nutrition totalling a minimum of 400kcals on you at all times as emergency supplies.
-
Headtorch
-
Basic first aid containing at least a roller bandage, paracetamol, assorted adhesive dressings, sterile absorbent materials such as gauze to compress bleeding wounds.
-
Fully charged phone
-
Method of payment, card, cash, apple pay or similar
-
Full leg cover such as leggings (they can be the ones you are running in)
-
GPS Tracker (picked up at Registration)
-
Event number (picked up at Registration)
We reserve the right to add additional items if the forecast is looking turbulent, these may include but are not limited to:
-
Thermal mid layer
EVENT T-SHIRT
Pre-order your Sea to Summit 2024 T-shirt to collect at the event registration.
£15 per t-shirt
CLICK HERE TO BUY A 2024 EVENT T-SHIRT
EVENT CAR PARKING
START LINE SHUTTLE
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) ONLY
Book a seat on our shuttle from the finish are to the start line on event morning.
£10 per person
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR SEAT ON THE SHUTTLE
WAVE 1 SOLD OUT IN ALL 3 EVENTS FOR STANDARD ENTRY
PAY IN INTEREST FREE INSTALMENTS
£49.10
/ MONTH
SIGN UP TODAY FROM
A booking fee of 5.99% will be added to all payments. Price shown is the solo entry price for Yr Wffdra per month when using the instalment plan.
SOLO ENTRY 2024
£139
/ TOTAL PER PERSON
SIGN UP TODAY
TEAMS OF 5 SAVE £10 EACH ON SOLO PRICE
TRILOGY PASS 2024
SOLO ENTRY ONLY
£390
/ TOTAL PER PERSON
SIGN UP TODAY
PAIRS SAVE £5 EACH ON SOLO PRICE
Trilogy pass terms and conditions
-
The Trilogy pass gives you a discounted solo entry into all 3 UK Sea to Summit events in one year.
-
You cannot use the Trilogy pass to enter 3 events over multiple years.
-
Trilogy passes cannot be shared. The same person must take part in all 3 events.
-
Upon completion of your final event in the Trilogy you will be awarded your special edition Trilogy gold medal at the finishline in Wales.
-
Trilogy passes count as 1 entry into 3 events and are not 3 separate event entries. You cannot transfer individual events on the pass.
-
Trilogy passes purchased before 19th October 2023 will automatically be reserved a place in wave 1 of each event. Trilogy passes purchased after this date will be automatically reserved a place in wave 3 of each event.
-
Once you have taken part in the first event the remaining events cannot be transferred if you can no longer attend them.
-
You may transfer the entire pass as per our standard transfer terms and conditions. The deadline to transfer your 2024 Trilogy pass is the 30th July 2024.
PAY MONTHLY INTEREST FREE!
ENTER NOW AND SPREAD THE COST INTEREST FREE WITH OUR INSTALMENT PLAN
We’ve put together a fantastic new instalment plan that allows you to choose how many months you want to spread the cost of this brilliant adventure over. You can pay it off all in one go or spread it over as many months as you like, totally interest free*. The payments will be split equally allowing you to budget and plan for this stunning journey. All payments to be made before February, the year of the event.
*When you sign up to the instalment plan Rat Race will then set up a reoccurring payment and your card will be debited on the same date each month. If there is an error with your payment you will receive reminders from Stripe, our payment provider, and also the Rat Race customer service team. After 3 attempts to contact you if the outstanding balance remains unpaid we will assume you wish to cancel your entry and will withdraw you from the event and you will not be eligible to enter our transfer process and no monies will be refunded.
Please see here for full terms and conditions and our cancellation policy.
PROTECT YOUR NON-REFUNDABLE BOOKING WITH REFUND PROTECT
Add Refund Protect to your booking during purchase and receive a full refund of your entry fee if you are unable to attend the event due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. PLEASE NOTE this protection is with our 3rd party partner Refund Protect and NOT Rat Race. In the event you make a refund application this is administered by the Refund Protect customer service team, Rat Race are not privy to the application and cannot intervene on your behalf to influence the outcome determined by their team.
To check the full list of qualifying unforeseen circumstances that are protected please click here to view Refund Protect terms and conditions.
To add Refund Protect (administered by a 3rd party) to your Rat Race booking simply select this option when presented during the entry process. Refund Protect cannot be added retrospectively. Rat Race will then send you name and booking details to Refund Protect in order to protect your transaction with them. If you opt to pay in instalments and transfer your entry before the entry cost is full paid you will be liable to ensure the cost of Refund Protect has been fully covered. This total amount will be deducted from any Rat Race credit due through the transfer process or you will be invoiced by Rat Race for the outstanding amount as Rat Race have paid this on your behalf to Refund Protect at point of entry.
RAISE AT LEAST £500 (EXCLUDING GIFT AID) FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER UK AND GET YOUR ENTRY FEE ONLY REFUNDED! TRILOGY PASS HOLDERS RAISE £750 AND GET YOUR PASS FEE REFUNDED!
Our longstanding partnership with Children with Cancer UK gives #ratracers the opportunity to raise much needed funds for this great cause in exchange for a refund of their entry fee. So far our #ratracers have raised over £2million for Children with Cancer UK and we would love for you to join the team to help us chase down that £3million target!
The funds you raise will be invested into vital specialist research to improve survival rates in children and young people and help more of them ring the end of treatment bell.
All you need to do is set up a Just Giving page here and start your fundraising! You will have until 1 month after the event date to hit your target and then send us the link to your page which will allow us to process your refund. Refunds will be made 2 – 3 months after the event completion date.
Refunds are not mandatory you are welcome to opt-out of receiving a refund. Should participants opt-out their refund will instead be used by Children with Cancer UK to help fund their research.
If you choose to support Children with Cancer UK you will also receive:
-
A Children with Cancer UK fundraising and training pack
-
Regular Children with Cancer UK updates
-
A dedicated point of contact at the charity
-
A technical Children with Cancer UK t-shirt to wear with pride
For more information on Children with Cancer UK please visit www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk.
Alternatively please contact the Sports Team on 020 7430 7788 or email sports@childrenwithcancer.org.uk.
Children with Cancer UK is a registered national charity (no. 298405)
MORE EVENTS LIKE THIS ONE:
ULTRA TOUR OF ARRAN
20 - 21 APRIL 2024
A 2 day off-road running adventure with dense forests, coastal scenery, crumbling castles and dramatic mountains
ARRAN,
SCOTLAND
2 DAYS /
3 NIGHTS
THE WALL ULTRA
15TH JUNE 2024
Run or trek our classic 70 mile ultra from Carlisle to Gateshead
CARLISLE
26 HOURS
SEA TO SUMMIT GREECE
12 - 15 SEPTEMBER 2025
A stunning route that connects the Aegean with the rugges summit of Mount Olympus in one day.
MT OLYMPUS,
GREECE