Welcome to the official website of Britain’s longest 100 mile-plus, non-stop, point-to-point, towpath ultra running races – the Grand Union Canal Race (GUCR 145), Kennet & Avon Canal Race (KACR 145) and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Race (LLCR 130). The low-key “Canalslam” totalling over 400 miles is organised and staffed by volunteers and maintained on a not-for-profit basis by Canalrace Community Interest Company.
Grand Union Canal 145 mile Race (GUCR) 2022
Birmingham – London
“The Long Run”
Friday 3rd June 2022 06:00 at Gas Street, Birmingham
Regarded by many as Britain’s premier Ultra, this is a 145 mile continuous race from Gas Street Basin in the Centre of Birmingham, to Little Venice in the heart of London. Run entirely on the waymarked Grand Union Canal Towpath, the easy to navigate, and relatively flat route, takes runners through a variety of urban and rural scenery – there should be something for everyone.
Kennet & Avon Canal 145 mile Race (KACR) 2022
London – Bristol
“The Great Western Run”
Friday 22nd July 2022 06:00 at Delamere Terrace, Little Venice, London
Organised on the same lines as the GUCR, this 145 mile race follows easy to navigate canal, river and railway paths. Competitors receive comprehensive maps of the entire route which passes through some of the best of English countryside. On the way runners “descend” the magnificent Caen Hill flight of 29 locks, a drop of 237 feet in 2 miles, one of the “Seven Wonders of the Waterways” and well worth seeing.
Leeds & Liverpool Canal 130 mile Race (LLCR) 2022
Liverpool – Leeds
“The Trans-Pennine Run”
Saturday 27th August 2022 06:00 at Old Hall St, Liverpool
From the Start at Old Hall Street Liverpool, to the Finish at Office Lock Leeds, the 130 mile towpath course follows the original Leeds & Liverpool Canal – Britain’s longest man-made waterway. Although it passes through the heartlands of the “Industrial North”, the path is surprisingly scenic. As well as the beautiful countryside, the route features the mile long Burnley Embankment (up to 60 feet above ground level) and the amazing Bingley Five Rise staircase. Both are listed among the “Seven Wonders of the Waterways”.
Warwickshire Ring 111 mile Canal Race (WRCR) 2022
“The Warwickshire Ring 111”
Saturday 25th June 2022 08:00 at Coventry Canal Basin, St Nicholas Street, Coventry
This one-off canal race for 2022 is a circular route comprised of sections of the Coventry; Birmingham & Fazeley; Grand Union; and Oxford Canal towpaths. Starting and finishing at Coventry Canal Basin, the anti-clockwise circuit covers approximately 111 canal miles; a rural and peaceful route through manicured fields and ancient meadows for much of it’s length. The four checkpoints, located approximately 25 miles apart, have generous cut-off times in line with the, very achievable, 33 hour overall time limit.
Latest News
Stop-press news of GUCR 2023
From our reporter Nick Keard As those who’ve read the history of GUCR will know, in 1993 British Waterways opened the GUC towpath as a public right of way. To coincide with the opening, BW suggested that the Trail Running Association might like to organise a foot-race...
2023 Canalslam Series Dates (updated 11 May)
Stop-press news: To celebrate 30 years of Canal Mania V2, the 2023 GUC race will be uphill from London to Birmingham! The dates are set for the 2023 three race series “The Canalslam” totalling over 400 miles. Each race can be entered as a one-off, but competitors...
GUCR 2022 Provisional Entry List
Below is the provisional list of runners for the 2022 Grand Union Canal Race allocated from the 234 entries received. Competitors that have paid their race-fees to confirm their place can be found on the GUCR Entry List. David Allan Samantha Amend Mark Anslow Sam...
2022 Canalrace Season Entry Notes (updated 10 January)
10 January 2022 GUCR 2022 pre-registration on SiEntries closed at the stroke of midnight 31 October 2021 – the draw and allocation of all places is now complete. The provisional entry list can be found here; there is no waiting list. Pre-registration to enter the GUCR...
A Letter of Congratulations to 2021 Canalslam Finishers
Dear Mich, Andrew, Julian, Brendan, Mark, Laurence, Russell, Andy, Peter and Nicole, On behalf of all Canalrace Volunteers, may I offer sincere congratulations on your completion of the 2021 Canalslam. Throughout last season, all the events were constantly under...
“Any Suffering You Endured Will be Forgotten” – Tips from Peter Johnson
Written by Peter Johnson. For anyone starting one of canal races, your mind has to be in the right place, my only dnf from I believe 18 gucr starts was because I couldn't face the next section, you have to fight the demons in your head. It obviously helps to train for...
2021 Financial Statements and Community Interest Company Report
Canalrace Community Interest Company's annual report (CIC 34) and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2021 are now filed on the Companies House website here. See filing dated 17 Nov 2021. Keith