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.
For any first-timer runners wondering what they have let themselves in for. These are un-sponsored, non-profit making and very low-key events. Don’t expect any media coverage, razzmatazz or freebies.
Grand Union Canal 145 mile Race (GUCR) 2024
London – Birmingham
“The Long Run – Uphill”
Saturday 25th May 2024 06:00 at Delamere Terrace, Little Venice, London
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.

Warwickshire Ring 111 mile Canal Race (WRCR) 2024
“The Perfect Lap”
Saturday 29th June 2024 08:00 at Coventry Canal Basin, St Nicholas Street, Coventry
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.
Leeds & Liverpool Canal 130 mile Race (LLCR) 2024
Liverpool – Leeds
“The Trans-Pennine Run”
Saturday 24th August 2024 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”.

Kennet & Avon Canal 145 mile Race (KACR) 2023
London – Bristol
“The Great Western Run”
Friday 28th July 2023 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.
Latest News
GUCR 2024 Provisional Entry List
Thanks go to Alex Graham, Ian Sinclair & partner, Ross, Dick, Jan, Dave, Margaret and Cathy for their assistance at The Tap & Spyle for the draw today. Below is the provisional list of runners for the 2024 Grand Union Canal Race allocated from the 208 entries...
2024 Canalrace Season Entry Notes (updated 6 November)
6 November 2023 GUCR 2024 pre-registration on SiEntries closed at the stroke of midnight 31 October 2023 – 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...
2024 Canalslam Series Dates (Updated 4 June)
The dates are set for the 2024 three race series “The Canalslam” totalling nearly 400 miles. Each race can be entered as a one-off, but competitors completing all three receive a special canalslam finishers' award and inclusion in the hall of fame. The KACR will be...
LLCR 2023 (Liverpool to Leeds) Results and Retirements
First-timer Martin Heggie wins in 23 hours 48 minutes - he's obviously "born for this shit!". Michelle White was First Lady in 28 hours 30 minutes. Congratulations to all finishers. Official results can...
LLCR (Liverpool to Leeds) 2023 Race Log & Live Results
Starting at 06:00 Saturday 26th August you can see details of Retirements and Finishers on our Live Results section. Below also shows updates of all goings-on in the form of a race-log for the duration until the last canalrunner arrives in Leeds. [canalrace-event-log...
KACR (London to Bristol) 2023 Results and Retirements
Justin Montague has smashed the London to Bristol course record, winning his first canal race on the third attempt, in a time of 24 hours 30 minutes. Incredibly, Michelle White has also wiped nearly two hours off the ladies record, arriving at Bathurst Basin in 30...
KACR (London to Bristol) 2023 Race Log & Live Results
Starting 06:00 Friday 28th July you can see details of Retirements and Finishers on our Live Results section. Below also shows updates of all goings-on in the form of a race-log for the duration until the last canalrunner arrives in Bathurst Basin....