Race the Sun - End of an era

And that's a wrap! After 17 years of early mornings, late nights, all possible weathers and every emotion from belly laughs to frustrated tears, The Children's Centre has now delivered our last Race the Sun. And what a day it was! We had amazing weather, and every single one of our 32 teams beat the sunset. The day went without a hitch and we had some awesome feedback - what a way to end! Smashed it!!!💥

We want to thank all The Children's Centre staff for the tireless work in organising the event year after year. Without all their hard work before race day we would never even get to the starting line. The routes need recceing, signage needs to be put up and taken down, stewarding on the day and SO MUCH MORE behind the scenes that nobody ever sees! Huge thanks to every single one of you – we couldn’t have done it without you! 💖

It wasn’t just staff who made Race the Sun happen though. We absolutely must acknowledge all of our wonderful volunteers who have given up their time year after year. Every Race the Sun requires checkpoint marshals, roaming marshals, and countless helping hands. You've stood in torrential downpours, blistering sunshine, and that weird misty mizzle fog that makes absolutely everything it touches unpleasantly moist. You've cheered when everyone else had lost their voices, handed out water when you were thirsty yourselves, and smiled through it all. Thank you, thank you, thank you! 💕

We’ve also had some incredible sponsors over the years who made this whole journey possible! Atla Group has been our steadfast partner since 2023, providing crucial support that allowed us to expand and improve the event in countless ways. Before them, we were fortunate to have the backing of many generous organisations - from local businesses who donated supplies to corporate partners who provided substantial financial support. These sponsors didn't just write checks; they believed in our vision and many even fielded their own teams! Their commitment to our community and to the children we serve has been nothing short of inspirational. Race the Sun simply wouldn't have been possible without their generosity! 💝

And finally, we can’t forget every single person who has taken part 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ - from the ultra-competitive teams who memorised every twist, turn, elevation and decent to the fancy-dress squads who prioritised hilarity over speed - THANK YOU! You've raised thousands for our children's programs, created memories that will last lifetimes, and given us stories that will keep us laughing for years.

Race the Sun may be setting for The Children's Centre, but we're THRILLED that the adventure is not over. Our friends at Hospice Isle of Man will be taking on the event from 2026 and we wish them all the success! 🎉 The sunrise tradition lives on in wonderful new hands! 🛣

Here's to 17 unforgettable years of racing the sun with The Children's Centre! ❤️☀️