We’re proud to announce that both ERA Teams have completed this year’s Race the Sun charity event – a gruelling team race held amongst the stunning hills and lakes of the Lake District this August.

Over 75 teams from around the UK entered. ERA Group Office entered 2 mixed teams of four. The challenge involved a 50 mile cycle race, climb Mount Helvellyn (the third highest mountain in the UK) and canoe Lake Thirlmere – that’s 3km in a Kayak. And just to make things even more interesting, they’re required to do it all within daylight hours: starting at sunrise and finishing by sunset.

One of ERA’s teams posted the fastest mixed team finish – 9 hours and 44 minutes - with Laura Harvey-Smith winning the fastest woman in this year’s race.

If you’re wondering why anyone would partake in such madness, well, there’s an excellent reason: all proceeds raised from the challenge will help to fund the work of Action Medical Research (AMR). 

AMR is a research charity that supports families across the UK who are dealing with the trauma of a baby born too early, striving to support a child affected by disability, or facing the challenge of caring for a child with a rare and devastating disease for which there is no cure.

Both ERA teams have raised nearly £4,000 so far, with over £150,000 raised to-date from all teams that entered. This will make a huge difference to the research the charity is able to carry out. ERA’s Race the Sun team leader, Robert Allison, explains their involvement in the year’s event:

“Race the Sun is something we’ve been considering for some time and when the chance came this year we decided to go for it. We’ve been training hard and doing all we can to prepare – but we knew it was going to be one of the biggest challenges any of us have ever taken on. But when you look at all the amazing work Action Medical Research carry out, it really couldn’t be for a better cause. I am proud of the personal commitment and efforts of both ERA teams. We are pleased that we could contribute to raising as much money for them as possible and thanks all those who generously supported us with their donations.”

As well as raising funds for such a worthwhile cause, ERA’s involvement in the race is a great example of the team spirit and camaraderie that exists at the franchise partner support office and, indeed, right across the ERA network. Well done to all involved.