ESSENTIAL EVENT INFORMATION 2024
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.
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Due to the scale and nature of Rat Race Events, changes to the course, structure and timings sometimes need to be made right up to the date of the event. To ensure you have the latest information and are fully prepared for the challenge that lies ahead, please check back on this EEI before travelling to the //event.
This EEI was last updated on: 25/09/2024 (mandatory kit list update).
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The weather forecast for the summit of Scafell Pike is set to drop below freezing on event day. We said on the kit list that we may mandate a thermal mid-layer and waterproof bottoms, subject to the weather forecast. Given the cold temperatures expected on the summit, the thermal mid-layer and waterproof bottoms are now mandatory. You will need to bring these items to Registration on Friday for kit check.
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The waterproof bottoms are self-explanatory. In line with waterproof requirements, these must be fully waterproof with taped seems. See example HERE.
The thermal mid-layer might be a lightweight down or synthetic jacket, a microfleece or a good quality full length woollen base layer or jumper. Whichever thermal mid-layer you choose, we must underline that this layer is in addition to your mandatory waterproof jacket. A waterproof jacket does not count as a thermal mid-layer; you will need a waterproof jacket and a separate thermal mid-layer.
Please remember that the temperature on higher ground and at the summits is usually much, much colder than the temperature at sea level. When you add the fact that you will sweat as you work to climb up the mountain, then add to the mix that technical terrain at the top may slow you down - a combination of damp clothing, colder temperatures and slower progress over rough ground gives you the perfect recipe to become very cold very quickly. It is essential that you are prepared for this with the right equipment, and this includes a thermal mid-layer and a good waterproof, which will serve to keep you warm as a wind-stopping layer too - even if it stays dry.
Previous updates: 19/092024 (important car park update).
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Please see parking section HERE for full update.
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QUICK LINKS:
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
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Online Disclaimer MUST be completed before Registration, you can do this HERE. You will be required to show your disclaimer completion confirmation email at the entrance of Registration before progressing to kit check and tracker collection.
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Registration is on Friday 27th September between 1400 - 2200 at Seascale Sports Hall (CA20 1PU). You must register between these times, there is no option to register on the morning of the event.
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Bib Numbers will be posted out in advance of the event. You should expect to receive your adventure pack around 1-2 weeks before the event. International participants will be required to collect their adventure pack from Registration. If your postal address has changed since you signed up to the event, please contact us on events@ratrace.com with your new address so we can update this.
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Waves will be indicated by your bib number colour. BLUE bibs (Wave 1) will start at 0700 RED bibs (Wave 2) will start at 0720 GREEN bibs (Wave 3) will start at 0740.
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Kit check of key items at Registration. You will need to bring these key items with you and will only be able to progress to tracker collection when you have passed kit check. More information on the key items required can be found in the Kit List section.
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Pair or team entry details must be filled in via your RR account by the 5th September2024. After this date there will be a £15 charge per person. To add details, please log into the RR account the entry was purchased under, click 'manage entry' and select 'add team member'.
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The transfer deadline for NON Trilogy pass entries is 27th August 2024. 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.​ The deadline for Trilogy passes to be transferred has now expired.
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Trackers will be picked up at Registration.
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Toilets are available at the start/finish and at each Pit Stop.
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Waymarking: This event is fully waymarked, please do not follow any GPX routes.
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Road Safety: This event takes place on public paths, shared access trails and live roads. There are no closed road sections please always exercise caution.
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Route: We have strict arrangements and routings agreed with landowners and authorities, it is important that you follow all RR signage you see including instructions. If we ask you to close a gate behind you please do!
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Supporters guidance on where you can access the course will be published in early September.
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The finish is at Seascale Sports Hall (CA20 1PU)​
REGISTRATION INFO
HOW TO GET THERE
Registration is at Seascale Sports Hall on 27th September between 1400 - 2200. There is no registration available on the 28th September before the start. ​
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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.
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The postcode for Registration is CA20 1PU.
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REGISTRATION STEPS
1) Bib Number - You will receive your bib number through the post 1-2 weeks before the event. International participants will need to collect their race packs in person on 27th September from the information/help desk at Registration. Please bring your bib number and envelope to Registration.
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2) Disclaimer - Show your online disclaimer confirmation email at the entrance of Registration and receive your S2S: Scafell Pike Rat Rag. You can complete the online disclaimer now HERE, it takes 2 mins and we encourage you to do this now and certainly well in advance of the event to avoid any delays for you on the day.
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3) Mandatory Kit Check - We will need to see the some specific key items to allow you to proceed, please see the Kit List section for a list of the kit we will be checking at Registration and ensure you bring all of the items to Registration with you.​
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4) Tracker Collection - You will be issued your tracker from Open Tracking. There will be a link available on the website closer to the event for you to share with friends/family so they can track your progress over the weekend. There is some important guidance on the trackers below so please do ensure you read this.
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5) T-shirt collection - If you have pre-ordered a t-shirt, you will be able to collect this from the onsite Rat Race Store.
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Registration complete!
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It is REALLY important that you ensure anyone watching at home knows this, for their own peace of mind and for our own safety systems. Experience shows that if someone watching at home does not understand this, they can sometimes unwittingly commence full rescue missions by panicking, calling in the cavalry and sparking confusion for us as organisers. As such, it really is a very important point to note.
You must return this device at the end of the event there is a charge levied of £150 for any tracker that is not returned.
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We recommend that people use the Open Tracking website and not the app for the best experience. The tracking link can be found on the Sea to Summit: Scafell Pike website closer to the event.
TRACKER
You will be issued with your Tracker from Open Tracking at Registration.
The trackers rely on GSM & satellite signal to report, (which is generally very good across a lot of our route) but there is a delay on tracking. Sometimes, our team back at base will increase or decrease the reporting frequency, so those watching at home will sometimes not see your dot moving, or see you moving very slowly. Or they may see you adrift from others in the group (for example if you have not turned the tracker on!).
PRE-ORDERED T-SHIRTS
If you pre-ordered an 2024 event tech t-shirt, these will be available for collection in the Rat Race Store in the Registration Hall.
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KEY INFORMATION
KEY LOCATIONS
Registration: Seascale Sports Hall CA20 1PU
Start: The start is on the beach by Registration
Finish: Seascale Sports Hall CA20 1PU
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START WINDOW
You will need to be at the start area at least 30 minutes before you start time. Your wave was chosen at point of entry and cannot be amended. If you miss your wave you can run in the next one but you cannot run earlier.
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WAVE 1 departure 0700
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WAVE 2 departure 0720
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WAVE 3 departure 0740
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ACCOMODATION
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
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WAVE ALLOCATION
You have been emailed your wave and start time this is the wave you chose when you entered the event. This cannot be swapped or changed.
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BAG DROP
If you wish to use of bag drop service, 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.
​START/FINISH LINE PARKING
Update 19th September: Due to localised flooding our planned Seascale based car park is no longer suitable to use, we have managed to secure a car park at the Gosforth Show Field, Seascale CA20 1HR which is 2.5 miles away from the start area and not susceptible to wet weather. The W3W location of this car park is: among.daffodils.kindness and the a google pin can be found HERE.
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As a result the pre-booked car parking will now be situated here and we will operate a complimentary shuttle service for runners to the start from here on the morning of the event.
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The car park is open from 0530 and the transfer time is approx 6 minutes. The shuttles will run at the following times:
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Wave 1 buses from 0600
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Wave 2 buses from 0630
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Wave 3 buses from 0700
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After the event we will operate a mini bus from the finish back to the car park.
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There is also a drop off service available on the morning of the event at Seascale Car Park, 10 S Parade, Seascale CA20 1PZ if you wish to be dropped off by your supporter instead of utilising this car park. This is in a free local car park which has space for circa 75 cars by the start line, which regrettably is too small for us to use for our event parking solution but supporters are welcome to park here as members of the public. There are other small local parking options nearby, we ask that anyone parking in Seascale remembers to be mindful of locals and access points throughout the village. The W3W location of this car park is: dramatic.special.documents and the a google pin can be found HERE.
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If you feel like you no longer wish to utilise the event car park at Gosforth Show Field, Seascale CA20 1HR but you have purchased a car parking pass, please fill out this form and we will refund you your £10. Refunds will be processed by the 1st October and may take up to 10 working days to land back in your account from our payment provider.
If you still wish to utilise the new event car park (Gosforth Show Field), you must show your email confirmation at the entrance of the car park. We strongly recommend you screenshot this email confirmation on your phone ahead of arriving to speed up the entry process and avoid any delays for you if internet/signal is limited.​​
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.
MANDATORY KIT LIST
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Trail running shoes
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Running pack/vest or other appropriate method of carrying your kit. We recommend our Great Glen bag that is tried and tested!
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Hydration bladder or bottles with a capacity of at least 1L. We will increase this is 2L if the forecast is hot and dry.
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Snacks or sports nutrition totalling a minimum of 400kcals on you at all times as emergency supplies.
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Hat or buff, a Rat Rag is suitable
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Gloves
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Survival bag, NOT blanket - BUY HERE
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Whistle - BUY HERE
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Reusable cup suitable for hot drinks at Pit Stops - BUY HERE
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Waterproof Jacket with TAPED OR WELDED SEAMS as a minimum standard - BUY HERE
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Full leg cover such as leggings (they can be the ones you are running in)
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Basic first aid kit containing at least a roller bandage, paracetamol, assorted adhesive dressings, sterile absorbent materials such as gauze to compress bleeding wounds
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Fully charged phone
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Headtorch
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Method of payment (card/cash/apple pay)
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GPS Tracker (picked up at Registration)
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​Waterproof leg cover with TAPED OR WELDED SEAMS
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Thermal mid layer
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​CHANGES TO KIT LIST
IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES FOR THE EVENT THIS WILL BE COMMUNICATED BY EMAIL PRIOR TO THE EVENT​.​
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The emergency kit is important for several reasons:​
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It helps you to help yourself should you have a problem.
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We are in this together and you may need to assist others if they have a problem.
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In the case of an incident our Race Control and Medical teams will make decisions based on the knowledge that you all have this equipment.
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Carrying the kit is a requirement for everyone and hence provides an equal and fair challenge.
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It is part of our risk assessment process that is shared with insurers. Your insurance may be invalid if you do not follow our advice.
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If your lack of kit preparation contributes to making an incident more serious, then you may be avoidably drawing resources from our medical team and the emergency services at the expense of others.
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Without the kit you will be unable to complete registration. If during the race you are not carrying the mandatory kit then you will be disqualified and deemed to have not completed the challenge.
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WATERPROOFS AND BIVVY BAG NOTES
Our kit list includes a waterproof jacket with TAPED SEAMS as a minimum standard. See photograph of what a taped seam look like HERE so you know what our team will be checking. There is also a need for an emergency bivvy bag. Foil blankets are NOT acceptable as these do not meet the needs of having to survive when injured and immobile in bad weather while waiting for assistance.
REGISTRATION KIT CHECK - 27TH SEPTEMBER
In order to complete Registration and receive your tracker, you will need to bring and show the following key mandatory kit list items to be checked. It does not have to be event ready and we recommend bringing it in a big bag for life or similar to pass through the station quickly:
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1) Running pack/vest or other appropriate method of carrying your kit.
2) Waterproof Jacket with TAPED or WELDED SEAMS as a minimum standard (see photograph for seam example)
3) Bivvy Bag (NOT blanket)
4) Personal basic first aid kit (see kit list for require contents)
5) Hat suitable to the conditions (a Rat Rag is OK).
6) Gloves
7) Headtorch
8) Minimum 1L carrying capacity hydration bladder or bottles
9) Waterproof leg cover with TAPED or WELDED SEAMS
10) Thermal mid layer
11) Adventure Pack - You will need to bring this to Registration. Open Tracking will scan your unique barcode to allocate your tarcker.
12) Emergency Contacts - these will be issued by email one week before the event. We will need to check you have these saved in your phone during kit check.
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You will NOT be able to proceed to tracker collection until the Reg team have checked all of these items. Please note the entire mandatory kit list is just that, mandatory. We will be checking key items but you MUST carry the full kit list with you at all times. The event team reserve the right to check you are carrying the full kit list at any point during the event.
OUT ON THE ROUTE
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WAYMARKING
You will be shown examples of our waymarking at the startline 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.
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YOUR SAFETY ON ROADS
When running on public roads you should face oncoming traffic and travel in single file (on the right hand side). However, should you be approaching a blind bend or rise, carefully move over to the other side of the road temporarily. Our signage and marshals will occasionally direct you to do this too, please follow their instructions. Should there be two-way traffic we ask that you stop to allow the car to pass you, ensuring you do not force the car behind you into the path of oncoming traffic. If there is a path available please use it.
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THE ROUTE
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!
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PIT STOPS
​There will be 3 Pit Stops at approx 6.5 miles, 14 miles and 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.
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.
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6.5 miles 1000
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14 miles 1300
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26 miles 1920
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DROPPING OUT
Once you have started, if you wish to drop out of the event at any point you must contact the Race Team to inform them and return your tracker to a member of staff, even if you do not need further support from us. If you do not have your own pick-up option (eg a support crew with you) we will arrange to collect you and move you forward along the course. We cannot move you backwards. Race Team numbers are supplied at Registration.
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COURSE ETIQUETTE AND LIVESTOCK
Please ensure all gates are closed behind you and never climb over locked gates. This is to ensure livestock do not escape fields so please do not leave it open for the next runner unless they are right behind you.​
RESPECT
Consider the local community and other people enjoying the outdoors. Take great care when passing near other tourist walkers, not to cause them to take hurried steps to avoid you. Hail them and enable them to step onto secure ground OR that you pass around them beside the trail.· Leave gates closed and property as you find it and follow paths unless wider access is available.​
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LITTER
Please help us leave this beautiful part of the country litter free by ensuring you have a pocket ready for your on the move rubbish which you can then dispose of at the next Pit Stop. We will gladly take this from you, if you see a discarded gel or sweet wrapper we ask that you pick it up on behalf of your fellow #ratracer who we are sure dropped it by accident.
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SUPPORTER INFORMATION
SUPPORTER ACCESS
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Start - Supporters are welcome to park at Seascale Beach car park. This directly overlooks the start on Seascale Beach.
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 - Again, 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.
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VOLUNTEERS & MERCH
GOT A SUPPORTER WHO WOULD LOVE TO JOIN THE CREW?
We're on the look out for some extra volunteers to help during Registration, man the finish line handing out medals and also cheer you all on at the Pit Stops. Volunteers help contribute to the amazing, friendly atmosphere you'll find at Sea to Summit: Scafell Pike and they have an incredible day supporting our #ratracers to boot.
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As a volunteer you will receive:
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£50 cash travel contribution
£100 event credit or a Rat Race duffel bag
A crew Rat Rag
Access to hot drinks/snacks/food
A fun day out!
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AVAILABLE SHIFTS
You can sign up to any available shift here and the Rat Race team will be in touch ahead of the event to answer any questions you may have and give you your briefing documents.
ANY QUESTIONS?
CUSTOMER SERVICE
If you have any questions not answered in here please do reach out to us on events@ratrace.com and our friendly team will get back to you as soon as we can!
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TRANSFER ENQUIRIES
If you need to withdraw from Sea to Summit: Scafell Pike and go through our transfer process this closes on the 27th August After this time we cannot process any transfer requests and Trilogy Passes are no longer valid for transfer as the window closed on the 30th July. For all the information regarding transfers please click here.
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PAIR/TEAM ENTRIES
If you are a part of a pair entry please ensure both your details are filled in before the 5th September. Any late submissions will be subject to a £15 admin fee to create your Adventure Pack on the day. Just login to your Rat Race account to add these details.