Swim, run, ride and row for charity: 10 challenges for 2026 in the UK, Europe and beyond

From charity challenges across the UK and Europe, here are ten options for 2026.

A swim, run, ride and row charity challenge awaits those willing to take on a new adventure. For those who enjoy being in the water, there's the Scilly Swim Challenge. This annual event is broken down into five sessions with walks between, requiring swimmers to complete a 15km island-hopping swim over the period.

For hikers, the Ultra Challenge offers various levels of trekking and trail running at 18 different locations, offering charity fundraisers an opportunity to take on new terrain while raising money for good causes. For those who prefer cycling, there's the Ride the Route event, a group bike ride that covers around 200 miles, with varying routes available each year.

Cyclists have another option in SupBikeRun – a triathlon challenge which involves paddleboarding, mountain biking and trail running.

For those looking for an adventure closer to home, there are numerous options available, including the Lake 24 Peaks Challenge and the Great River Race.

In Europe, there's the SuperHalfs series of half marathons held in six countries – runners can take on this challenge by completing any one or all of the races. In France, a non-stop skiing relay challenge offers charity fundraisers the chance to ski for 12 hours a day while supporting local charities.

In addition to these options, there are numerous other charity challenges available across the UK and Europe, including indoor fitness events.
 
🏞️ You know what I think about all these charity challenges? It's that life is full of different paths to take, just like these various challenges 🌈. Some people might prefer swimming (Scilly Swim Challenge), while others might enjoy hiking or cycling (Ultra Challenge & Ride the Route event). And then there are those who'd rather try something new like paddleboarding and mountain biking in SupBikeRun πŸ€Έβ€β™€οΈ. The point is, everyone's journey is unique, just like each challenge. Don't be afraid to explore different interests and find what suits you best πŸ’ͺ.
 
OMG 🀩 I'm soooo stoked about these charity challenge options in 2026!!! πŸŽ‰ I've been following the Ultra Challenge for ages and I'm like super ready to take on that trekking and trail running thing! πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸ’ͺ But honestly, I'm also kinda tempted by that Scilly Swim Challenge πŸŒŠπŸŠβ€β™€οΈ - 15km island-hopping swim sounds like a total blast! πŸ˜† And can you imagine the views?! 🀩 I've also been looking into this SupBikeRun triathlon challenge πŸš΄β€β™€οΈπŸ”οΈ... it looks like so much fun! πŸŽ‰ What's even better is that all of these challenges are for a good cause, which is just amazing 😊. And the fact that there are so many options across the UK and Europe means I can choose something that suits me best. πŸ€— I'm gonna have to start training ASAP and get ready to take on some epic adventures in 2026!!! πŸ’ͺ
 
I'm so down for some adventure 🏞️! But can we talk about how crazy 200 miles of biking is? Like, that's a lot! πŸ˜‚ I mean, I love cycling, but I don't know if I could handle doing it non-stop over such a long distance. And what about the other challenges that are just as long, like the Ultra Challenge hike? That sounds like a real trek πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ. And have you seen those swimming sessions on Scilly Island? 15km is a lot to swim! But at the same time, it's kinda cool that there are so many options for everyone... I guess you just gotta find one that fits your fitness level 😊.
 
omg i'm so stoked for 2026!!! 🀩 there are literally so many sick charity challenge options now! i've been looking into the Scilly Swim Challenge and it sounds like an epic adventure - who wouldn't want to swim 15km across the islands of scilly? πŸ˜‚ and then theres the Ultra Challenge, which offers trekking and trail running at some amazing locations... i'm thinking of signing up for that one with my mates πŸ‘«

and can we talk about the new SupBikeRun triathlon challenge? πŸš΄β€β™‚οΈπŸŠβ€β™€οΈ it sounds like so much fun! who needs a beach body when you can just paddleboard, mountain bike and trail run your way to charity fundraising goals? πŸ˜‚ lol

anyway gotta say, i'm loving the variety of options now... whether its a swim, ride or hike, there's something for everyone 🌟
 
I gotta say, I'm so done with charity challenges πŸ™„. Like, how many times can you do a swim or run for charity before it's just getting old? Can't they think outside the box for once? Why not a challenge where you have to eat an entire pizza by yourself while watching a Marvel movie marathon? That'd be some real fundraising right there πŸ•πŸ‘€
 
Ugh, another year, another bunch of charity challenges 🀣. I mean, who doesn't love running around like a crazy person for hours on end? It's not like we have better things to do with our time... like, say, actually achieving something or enjoying some well-deserved relaxation πŸ™„. But hey, if you're into that sort of thing, there are plenty of options available - from swimming 15km around the Scilly Isles to skiing for 12 hours straight in France (because, why not? πŸ˜‚). And don't even get me started on the cycling challenges... because nothing says "fun" like biking 200 miles with a group of sweaty strangers πŸš΄β€β™€οΈ. I guess it's all about supporting good causes and being productive (yawn) so you can't really complain, right? πŸ˜’
 
🀣 Can we just say "charity challenge" is code for "I'm bored with my life and need an excuse to torture myself". I mean, who comes up with this stuff? A 15km swim? That's like running a marathon, but in water... or rather, not running at all. πŸŠβ€β™€οΈ And don't even get me started on the Ultra Challenge – 18 locations? That's just an excuse to visit every scenic hiking spot in the country and pretend you're doing it for charity πŸ˜‚. At least the cycling events are somewhat decent, but still, 200 miles of riding is a lot... or can I just ride my bike around the block and call it a day? πŸš΄β€β™€οΈ
 
I'm so down for some charity challenges in 2026 πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸš΄β€β™‚οΈ! The Scilly Swim Challenge sounds like a wild ride – I've always wanted to try an island-hopping swim, but it's not exactly my thing... how hard is it on your joints? 🀯

And cycling events are always a lot of fun! Ride the Route looks like a blast – have you guys done any big group bike rides before? I'm more of a solo rider myself, but I love meeting new people on the route.

The Lake 24 Peaks Challenge sounds like an amazing way to get some hiking in and give back at the same time. What's the hardest part about it – are there any grueling climbs or treacherous terrain? πŸ”οΈ

I'm also curious about the indoor fitness events... have you guys tried any of those before? Are they more low-key than outdoor challenges, or can you still get a killer workout in? 😊
 
ugh i dont get why people do this stuff they just wanna torture themselves in front of strangers who are cheerin em on but like for real what if u had a dream of swimmin 15km or runnin thru mountains 4 hours straight but then u found out u gotta raise money 4 some charity and now ur stuck with a crazy long distance to do it all over again i mean whats the point of even participatin if its just gonna be about the benjamins ??
 
πŸ€” I think what's cool about all these charity challenges is that they're not just one-time events, but you can choose to do as many or as few as you like throughout the year. It really encourages people to get active and help out a good cause at the same time. For me, it's great that there are options for different types of activities too - whether you're into running, cycling, hiking, or even paddleboarding! πŸš΄β€β™€οΈπŸžοΈ It just shows that everyone can find something they enjoy and use it as an opportunity to make a difference. I also think the fact that there are plenty of indoor fitness options is awesome, especially for people who might not be able to do outdoor activities due to health reasons or personal preferences. Overall, it's great to see so many charity challenges out there that cater to different interests and abilities! πŸ’ͺ
 
πŸ˜” just learned that climate change is causing more frequent and intense wildfires globally, with 2025 being one of the worst years on record... πŸŒͺ️ it's heartbreaking to see all these amazing charity challenge ideas when our planet needs us to take action πŸ€•
 
πŸŠβ€β™€οΈ I'm loving all these charity challenge ideas! It's so cool that there's something for everyone - whether you're into swimming, hiking, cycling or skiing. The SupBikeRun triathlon sounds like a real adrenaline rush 🀯, and the Lake 24 Peaks Challenge seems like a great way to get some exercise while taking in beautiful scenery.

I think what I love most about these challenges is that they're not just about raising money for charity (although that's super important), but also about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and trying new things. It's a great way to build confidence, meet new people and have an amazing experience πŸ’ͺ🏽. Plus, with so many options available, you can choose one that fits your style and energy levels. Bring on 2026 and get ready for some epic adventures! πŸŽ‰
 
πŸ€” I'm so over all these charity challenges πŸ™„. Like, aren't people just using it as an excuse to be outdoorsy and adventurous? πŸ˜’ Can't they just donate money like a normal person? πŸ’Έ And what's with the weirdness of the Scilly Swim Challenge - who comes up with this stuff? 🀯 15km island-hopping swim? Are they trying to break some kind of record or something? πŸŠβ€β™€οΈ Anyway, I guess it's all for a good cause... *sigh* πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ
 
πŸ€” I'm not sure about this year's charity challenge options just yet... seems like they're spreading themselves too thin with so many different events πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈπŸš΄β€β™€οΈ. 200 miles of cycling? That's a big ask, even for the most dedicated charity fundraisers πŸ˜“. What I'd love to see more of is info on what charities are actually behind these challenges – are they reputable organizations or just taking advantage of people's good vibes? πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ Want to make sure our money is going to good causes πŸ€‘
 
I'm so stoked about all these crazy charity challenges coming up in 2026! πŸŽ‰ I've got a friend who's super into hiking and she's been itching to try out the Ultra Challenge - sounds like an epic adventure! And for those who love cycling, the Ride the Route event is just what they need to get their fix of fresh air and exercise. πŸš΄β€β™€οΈ I'm also curious about the SupBikeRun triathlon challenge, that sounds like a real test of endurance! πŸ˜… What's even better is that there are so many options for people with all sorts of fitness levels - whether you're just starting out or super into sports, there's something for everyone. πŸ’ͺ Keep doing what you do and supporting amazing charities πŸ™
 
omg i love swimming & running but never been on any charity challenge πŸŠβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ i think it's so cool that they have all these options for different types of people i'm more of a casual bike rider tho maybe i'll try SupBikeRun one day lol the idea of skiing for 12 hours is kinda crazy though are they just going to be skiing straight or like, stopping every now & then?
 
I'm thinkin' it's kinda awesome that there are so many charity challenges out there, u know? Like, I've seen some people do crazy stuff for good causes and it's really inspiring 🀩. But what I find a bit weird is how many of these challenges involve triathlons or endurance events... like, don't get me wrong, they're cool and all, but can't we just have some more chill options too? Like, a casual charity walk or bike ride that's not so intense 🏞️. Still, I guess it's awesome that there are options for everyone, from super-fit people to those who need a bit more time to get their fitness level up πŸ’ͺ.
 
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