On Saturday 13th June, Aqeel, Leon, Liam and Brenden took on the Race Against the Sun challenge to raise money for the Community Sports Foundation.
In 2025 five of our team took part in the challenge, with four successfully making it across the finish line. In the 2025 challenge, Aqeel sadly had to exit the race just over halfway due to extreme heat causing difficulties. This year, with milder temperatures, Aqeel came back to conquer the challenge with help from Leon who also took part the previous year, and Brenden and Liam who were new to the challenge.
Despite cooler temperatures, it is still not an easy challenge. Starting in Cromer at sunrise, they had to walk 47-miles of the Norfolk Coast to get to Hunstanton before sunset. They also had harsh headwinds and shingle to deal with.
Our team made it to the start line for 3:45am, along with Sam who took part in the challenge in 2025, but chose to volunteer this year. With GPS trackers received and final preparations made, at 4:15am, the race began.
Our 2025 team were lucky to avoid the shingle due to a small section of sand right next to the sea. However, this years team weren’t so lucky, creating a tough start to the race.
Throughout the challenge, they were greeted and supported by an incredible team of staff and volunteers from the Foundation – offering food, drinks, toilets, cheers, music, and even massages.
Despite the challenges, they picked up great pace as the day progressed. With high determination, Leon and Aqeel made it across the finish line at 7:58pm, and hour and 20 minutes (roughly) ahead of sunset. An hour later, Brenden and Liam triumphantly crossed the finish line to enjoy some well earned food, drinks, and a sit down.
Well done to everyone who took part in RATS 2026!
A huge thank you goes to the Community Sports Foundation. They not only put on an incredible event, but continue to work hard towards their mission of driving inclusion for people with disabilities, boosting mental health and wellbeing, and supporting disadvantaged people to raise their aspirations.
