CHOOSE TO FUNDRAISE FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER UK AND EARN UP TO A £450 REFUND ON YOUR ENTRY FEE. FIND OUT MORE.
​RUN, CYCLE AND KAYAK 100 MILES COAST TO COAST ACROSS THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
This breathtaking 100-mile coast to coast cycle, run, and kayak route takes in some of Scotland's most mysterious and wild locations. Run, cycle, and kayak coast to coast past the historic Cawdor Castle, the legendary Loch Ness, and the mountainous Glen Nevis and Glen Coe. This unforgiving Highland terrain and weather breed tough folk, and when you sign up to Coast to Coast, you’ll find out why. Experience all the beauty and brilliance that Scotland has to offer in this epic journey over one day or two.
​SIGN UP NOW FOR
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£35.78
*Price per month for solo 1 day entry. Click here for more info on pricing.
EVENT DATES:
13 - 14 SEPT / 2025
DISTANCE:
21 MILES (34 KM) ON FOOT + 78 MILES (125 KM) BIKE + 1 MILE (1.6 KM) KAYAK
DIFFICULTY RATING: CAN I DO THIS?
You should be a decent cyclist with good trail running experience for the one day. A good base level of general fitness is all that's needed for the two day challenge.
LOCATION:
SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
DURATION:
1 OR 2 DAYS
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
GUIDES AND SUPPORT
Fully waymarked route. Luggage transport service provided. Coach transfers available to book pre and post event.
TRANSFER POLICY
Flexible transfer policy up to 1 month before the event.
EQUIPMENT
Kayak and all associated equipment included. Bike hire available.
MOMENTOS
Finisher's medal and Rat Rag
SAFETY
Professional 4x4 support vehicles, mountain safety staff, water safety, medical and welfare. Audited and accredited to BS8848 expedition safety standard.
RAISE £1000 AND GET UP TO £450 REFUNDED
MORE INFORMATION:
You can take this beautiful coast to coast adventure over one or two days. The one-day option is suited for those who want to go hard and test themselves over this rugged terrain. The two-day option is very achievable for people who are looking for the perfect adventure weekend.
The one-day challenge is a mammoth undertaking. Especially if the prevailing wind tries to blow you back to the start line. Bike selection and your nutrition plan are very important to give you the best chance of completion. Our cut-offs are fixed, and you will be taking on a very challenging mountain run after a draining coast to coast cycle ride. Successful finishing times on the one-day challenge range from 8 hours in calm conditions to 14 hours in heavy weather.
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One day stats
Run – 7 miles
Road cycle - 44 miles
Off-road cycle - 20 miles
Road cycle - 14 miles
Mountain trek/run - 14 miles
Kayak to the finish - 1 mile
Check out the one day route GPX.
Breaking up this coast to coast challenge makes this more achievable and allows you to enjoy a cracking weekend out with some mates. Don’t forget to arrange your overnight accommodation around Fort Augustus or Invergarry in advance of the event. We also run a campsite at the finish line for day 1 that you can book into.
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Two day stats
Run – 7 miles
Road cycle - 44 miles
Off-road cycle - 8 miles
Road cycle - 1 mile
End of day 1 finish at Invergarry
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Day 2 starts in Invergarry
Road cycle - 1 mile
Off road cycle - 11 miles
On road cycle - 14 miles
Mountain trek/run - 14 miles
Kayak to the finish - 1 mile
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Check out the two day route GPX.
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GPX files are approximate and subject to small changes on the day. They are designed to be illustrative of the challenge.
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LOGISITICS
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​We know that this coast to coast event has a lot of moving parts, so we've laid out all the different transport and logistic options to help you get ready for this adventure.
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Key locations
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Registration: IV12 4BF
Cawdor Castle Transition: IV12 5RD
Start line: IV12 4NQ
Invergarry Campsite: PH35 4HG
Fort William Transition: PH33 6XZ
Finish location: PH49 4HL
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Are you planning to use public transport to get to the startline?
If you are you should aim to either fly to Inverness Airport OR get a train to Inverness Train Station. You should then pick up a taxi at a local taxi rank and head to Registration in Nairn to pick up your Adventure pack. DO NOT go to Cawdor Castle without registering first in Nairn. Your Adventure Pack contains your bike board and bike compound wristband. You won't be allowed to rack your bike without it. If you are hiring a bike you need your pack first too so you can attach your bike board to your hire bike and then access the compound.
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After you have registered get on our free shuttle to Cawdor Castle to either rack your own bike or pick up your hire bike. Booking the shuttle is not needed it operates on a loop.
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Get the free shuttle back to Nairn and head to your local pre-booked accommodation.
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After this coast to coast event, book a post-event bus transfer that suits you best. Click here to see the bus options. If you are getting the train you could look at Fort William train station and local taxi options to get you there.
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Are you driving yourself to Coast to Coast?
If you are choose whether you drive to the FINISH on Friday, park your car here and book the PRE-EVENT bus transfer to Nairn (please note: the pre-event transfer for 2024 has now sold out) OR you can drive to Nairn and book a POST-EVENT bus back to your car after the event. Click here to see the bus options.
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If you drive to Nairn, please make sure you go to Registration first to pick up your Adventure Pack before heading to Cawdor Castle to rack your bike. Your Adventure Pack contains your bike board and bike compound wristband. You won't be allowed to rack your bike without it. If you are hiring a bike, you need your pack first, too, so you can attach your bike board to your hire bike and then access the compound. Please follow the marshal's instructions to get parked at Cawdor Castle. Once you have racked your bike, please drive to your pre-booked accommodation.
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If you book the PRE-EVENT bus transfer you will be taken straight to Cawdor Castle with your bike and you will register there and rack your bike or pick up your hire bike. The bus will wait for one hour and then take you to Nairn. If you take longer than 1 hour you can use the free shuttle to get back to Nairn.
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Bag movements
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On Saturday morning head to the startline. 1 day participants drop your finishline bag with us here. This will meet you at the finish.
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2 day participants drop your finish bag AND tent/camping gear with us at the start and we will transport it to the end of Day 1 location for you. Then on Day 2 we will transport this onto the finish for you.
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!
Click ‘Buy Event Voucher’ and go through the sign-up process, you’ll then be issued with an event voucher which will automatically reserve you a place in the event you have chosen.
Rat Race require you to be over 18 on the day of Registration for this adventure. If you wish to participate as a family group or with a responsible adult and you are 16+, we will consider applications on an individual basis. Please contact us if this is the case.
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​.
The latest kit list will be sent to you before the event within the Essential Event Information Document.
Of course. If you run for Children with Cancer UK and raise the target amount for this event per person, we will refund your entry fee up to the amount of £450. You are of course more than welcome to fundraise for any cause close to your heart. Click here to find out more.
Yes, you can. We welcome support on almost all of our events and if you do decide you want to come and work with us, we will make sure we look after you. Click here to find out more about volunteering for Rat Race.
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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. 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.
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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.
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To check the full list of qualifying unforeseen circumstances that are protected please click here to view Refund Protect terms and conditions.
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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.
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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.
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No unfortunately we cannot accommodate dogs on the route or in the campsite.
If you choose to take a spare pair of shoes you will need to carry them with you in your rucksack. The only exceptions are at Cawdor Castle where you can leave your cycling shoes attached to your bike (when dropping off your bike before the start of the event) and Fort William transition when you will be able to leave your cycling shoes ATTACHED to your bike or in the bag we provide to you at registration (for us to transport). We will not take any items to the Fort William transition for you.
Cut-Offs are an important part of our Event Management Plan and Risk Assessment and are based on the time of sunset. Participants venturing onto the hill or on to the water after our cut-off times likely be finishing in the dark, and as we do not specify mandatory equipment or provide safety provision for that scenario we will enforce the Cut-Offs as described. Cut-off times are applied to your departure from these locations and not your arrival.
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Cut offs for those taking it on in 1 day:
Fort William 1600
Kayak Stage 1930
Course closes 2000
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Cut off for those taking it on in 2 days:
No cut offs on day 1
Day 2
Fort William 1430
Kayak Stage 1800
Course closes 1900
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If you fail to make the cut-off you will be transported forward to the finish only.
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The Kayak cut-off at Lochlevan is flexible in both directions depending on the visibility and wind conditions on the day. If conditions become too rough for kayaking, the run route will redirect you to finish at Kinlochleven where we will bus you to the finish line.
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Trek/Run – 7 miles
Road Cycle – 44 miles
Off Road Cycle – 20 miles
Road Cycle – 14 miles
Trek/Run – 14 miles
Flat Water Kayak – 1 mile
*Please note that distance are variable depending upon weather conditions and route access.
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Coast to Coast is a tough event. You’ll be taking on a hilly journey that is heavily impacted by weather conditions. You’ll be running, kayaking and, more importantly, cycling into the prevailing wind, so the chances are you’ll find the riding sections tougher than your usual ride out. That being said, when the sun shines, you will see the most fantastic views imaginable!
The average finishing time for one-day participants is 12 hours, and it’s 14 (over two days) for the two-day participants. To make this coast to coast journey, you need to be fit and able to keep your energy levels up with a solid nutrition plan. If you put in some training time and arrive kitted out and prepared, then this challenge is achievable, but it should not be underestimated​​​
Whether you are entering the 2-Day or 1-Day category, you will use the same bike throughout this coast to coast event. The perfect bike for this event's coast to coast cycle portion is a cyclocross bike or gravel bike. You can complete it on a mountain bike, and for 2-day participants, this is a viable option, but 1-day participants will struggle to get through the road riding miles within the cut-offs. Road bikes are not recommended for this coast to coast cycle route, although they would be possible to use if you add appropriate tyres, good pressures and a dose of skill. It is possible for 2-day participants to swap tyres at leisure at the Invergarry overnight location as you could pack these into your overnight bag.
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You can hire a bike from our partner Cycle Hire Scotland. The link to book can be found on the EXTRAS tab below. Please make sure you specify you are taking part in Rat Race Scotland Coast to Coast when asked during the booking process. Bike hire is limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.​​
No. We will provide the kayaks which are sit on tops and stable. We also provide water safety from local professionals. Please note that kayaking is done in pairs, though those at the front of the field can go solo if they arrive alone.​​
Yes, you do need to provide your own bike. You can bring your own, hire one locally to you and bring it along, or arrange hire from our hire provider.
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You can hire a bike from our partner Cycle Hire Scotland subject to availability.
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This will be in Nairn and participants will only be able to register on the FRIDAY before the event. You will NOT be able to register ‘on-the-day’ of the event.
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Registration is in Nairn and is open on Friday 13th September 2024 between 1400 - 2200.
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If you have booked a seat on the Friday bus from Glencoe, you will register at Cawdor Castle when you rack your bike.
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After you've racked your bike at Cawdor Castle you can use our shuttle service which will take you to Nairn. The closest airport is Inverness with regular taxis available.
This kit list is from our 2023 event - you will be notified of any changes to this list ahead of the event you have signed up for.
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SUBJECT TO SMALL CHANGES DEPENDING ON WEATHER CONDITIONS.
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Some of the kit listed is to help you have a safe experience and have the best chance of finishing. Some of this kit is to ensure that if you are unable to continue without our assistance then we can be confident of you having the level of equipment required to keep you comfortable whilst you wait for that assistance.
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At registration you will be asked to show us all of the mandatory kit before you can register. We will also be checking this kit before you leave the Fort William transition to ensure you are properly equipped for the run. If you do not have the kit with you, you will not be allowed to start.
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MANDATORY KIT LIST
Some of the kit listed is to help you have a safe experience and have the best chance of finishing. Some of this kit is to ensure that if you are unable to continue without our assistance then we can be confident of you having the level of equipment required to keep you as comfortable as possible whilst you wait for that assistance. Spot checks are carried out throughout the event and you will not be able to continue if you are found to not be carrying the requisite items.
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Trail shoes.
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Running/trekking backpack.
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Hydration bladder or bottles. A 2L carrying capacity is mandatory.
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Basic first aid kit containing assorted adhesive dressings including 1 at least 100mm x 100mm. Gauze or gauze bandage and paracetamol.
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Food to be carried with you minimum 1000kcals.
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Survival bag, NOT blanket.
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Whistle.
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Reusable cup suitable for hot drinks.
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Waterproof jacket and trousers with TAPED OR WELDED SEAMS as a minimum standard.
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Additional upper body layer.
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Fully charged phone.
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Method of payment (card/cash/apple pay).
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Tracker (supplied).
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Hat or buff suitable for weather conditions and a pair of gloves.
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Cycle helmet.
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Headtorch and spare batteries.
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RECOMMENDED KIT
This kit is not mandatory but more 'common sense' additions.
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Suncream/sunglasses
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Blister treatment kit. Our paramedics will prioritise live cases and they are not a foot care service, we recommend that you know how to treat your feet if hot spots and blisters do occur and that you are self contained.
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Puncture repair kit and bike pump.
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Bottle cage and bottles for your bike.
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Cycling gloves (good for the kayak too)
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IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES FOR THE EVENT THIS WILL BE COMMUNICATED IN THE PRE-EVENT DOCUMENTATION
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NOTES ON KIT:​
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You must start the event with all your mandatory kit. You can leave your bike shoes at Cawdor when you rack your bike if you wish to change shoes. Nothing can be left at Cawdor on event day, if you change your shoes you must strap your trainers to your bag for the bike stage.
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You do not need to complete the final run with your mandatory bike kit (it can be left attached to your bike at the Fort William Transition in the bag provided).
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Kit left at Fort William must fit inside the bag provided to you. This bag must be labelled with your race number and attached to your bike.
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You will not be able to start the final run section, from Fort William, unless you are prepared with the appropriate mandatory kit including a torch.
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All bikes must be clear from Fort William on the day you leave it there. Please use one of our three racking systems to send your bike on to the correct location. The Fort William bike transition will be unmanned from an hour after the cut off.
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Example of taped seams
FINISHLINE ACCOMMODATION
Rooms are available to book at the Isle of Glencoe Hotel, at the event finishline. All rooms include Dinner, Bed and Breakfast.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW​
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If you are looking for alternative local accommodation nearby, the finish line postcode is PH49 4HL.
BIKE HIRE
You need to provide your own bike for this event – you can either bring your own, hire one locally to you and bring it along, or arrange hire from our hire provider, subject to availability.
Whether you are entering the 1 day or 2 day category, you will use the same bike throughout the event.
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2025 BIKE HIRE WILL OPEN SPRING 2025.
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BUS TRANSFERS
We have a variety of bus transfers on offer depending on your plans. These are subject to availability and we would recommend you book these in advance, the transfer time is approx 3 hours:
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Friday 1200 Transfer from Finish area to Registration
Sunday 1000 Transfer from Finish to Start
Monday 1000 Transfer from Finish to Start
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CLICK HERE TO BOOK A SEAT ON A BUS TRANSFER
PAY IN INSTALMENTS
£35.78
/ MONTH
SIGN UP TODAY FROM
All prices are in GBP. An admin fee of 5.99% will be added to all payments. Pair discounts are per person.
INTEREST FREE!
ONE DAY SOLO
£270
SIGN UP TODAY
/ TOTAL PER PERSON
TWO DAY SOLO
£320
SIGN UP TODAY
/ TOTAL PER PERSON
PAIR ENTRY SAVE £20 EACH
All 2025 entries include a £10 donation to our charity partners Children with Cancer UK
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 June, the year of the event.
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*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.
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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.
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To check the full list of qualifying unforeseen circumstances that are protected please click here to view Refund Protect terms and conditions.
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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.
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
At Rat Race, we create extraordinary adventures for everyone people. We know we’re a premium brand and that those adventures are premium experiences. In our 20th year, we have decided that our commitment to investment in our standards, safety and quality of experience should be matched in our commitment to the transparency in showing how we spend your hard-earned cash in bringing these adventures to life.
So here it is. A pie chart of how we spend your money in bringing our events and trips to life.
"This was my first adventure race! It was an amazing experience that made me want to do more as I loved it!"
I felt safe and reassured pre event thanks to the emails, the website, the very quick answers to my emails when I had questions and during the event thanks to all the marshalls, signs along the way, etc. I also really enjoyed it and felt relaxed because it did feel fairly easy compared to what I was expecting (I was prepared for much harder conditions as it was in Scotland but we had beautiful weather and no strong head wind on the bike!)
Nina King-Gillies
March 2021
TRIP REPORT // 08.03.2022
IT WAS A WEEKEND THAT I WILL NEVER FORGET AND AM PROUD TO HAVE COMPLETED
I managed to just about scrape through the initial run and cycling stint based purely on being an avid commuter cyclist and doing a couple of 5k road runs per week. This was not enough to tame this beast of a route ...
RAISE AT LEAST £1000 (EXCLUDING GIFT AID) FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER UK AND GET YOUR ENTRY FEE ONLY (UP TO £450) REFUNDED!
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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!
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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.
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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 and raise £1000, you will also receive:
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A Children with Cancer UK fundraising and training pack
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Regular Children with Cancer UK updates
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A dedicated point of contact at the charity
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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.
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Children with Cancer UK is a registered national charity (no. 298405)
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