Race Introduction

Get ready for a true adventure! The 2026 Trans-Pennine Run (LLCR) is a 130-mile non-stop race along the beautiful Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath—from Old Hall Street in Liverpool to Office Lock in Leeds.

Open to anyone aged 20 or over, the race follows UK Athletics rules and runs with the permission of the Canal & River Trust. We recommend runners bring their own support crew, but we also offer support for up to 75 Unsupported runners through the organisers, Canalrace C.I.C.

This route blends the rich history of the “Industrial North” with surprisingly scenic stretches. You’ll pass iconic spots like the mile-long Burnley Embankment, towering 60 feet above ground, and the amazing Bingley Five Rise staircase—two of the “Seven Wonders of the Waterways.”

• What to expect:
  ✅ Easy to follow – detailed maps, towpath, and signs
  ✅ Support stops every 10–15 miles with snacks and drinks
  ✅ Transport if you need to retire early — no shame in it
  ✅ Generous cut-offs – 40 hours to get the job done
  ✅ No qualification needed – marathon experience is enough

Line Map

Course Records

Awards

🏆 Perpetual trophy for 1st Man and 1st Woman
🎁 Canalware trophy for 1st Man and 1st Woman
📜 Certificate & memento for every finisher
🎖️ Special memento for all Gongoozler finishers

Key Info

• Minimum support event with feed points at miles 14, 25, 40, 54, 70, 84, 99, 113, and 127 for Unsupported runners

• Drinks available for all runners at these points

• No medical or first aid provided, but transport is available for Unsupported runners who retire

• Support crews welcome throughout, and solo buddy runners (on foot, not pacing) allowed from mile 70 onwards

• 40-hour time limit – finish by 10:00pm Sunday

• 100 runner limit, first come, first served — no lottery/draw

Rules

1. The full distance must be completed on foot, keeping, wherever possible, to the recognised towpath route.
2. All Competitors must notify Race HQ (Tel. 07778 550945 or 07780 685538) immediately on retiring (even if they have already reported this at a checkpoint) or if they drop behind a schedule in line with the cut-off times.
3. Competitors must reach all checkpoints by the closing times printed on the supplied maps.  They must leave within 40 minutes of arrival.  (Ref. rule 4.)  Competitors must reach the Business First car park (Br No 126) Checkpoint at 70.6 miles within 19 hours 10 minutes, i.e. by 0110 hours on Sunday.
4. Competitors will be deemed to have retired if stopped for more than 40 minutes at any one time.  Competitors may enter vehicles for warmth, rest and nourishment, but will be disqualified if the vehicle moves.  Any runner seen in a moving vehicle will count as retired, even if the intention is to return to the same place to resume, unless that vehicle is going to the aid of another entrant in difficulty.
5. All competitors must display their race number to the front, at all times, and ensure it is recorded at every checkpoint en route by showing it, upon arrival, to the timekeeper. The medical form on the reverse of the number must be completed including emergency contact name and telephone number.
6. Supported (with own crew) competitors must have at least one support crew member with a vehicle from the Start, and for the duration of the race.
7. All competitors must carry a mobile phone, switched on at all times, for calls to or from Race HQ; and have the financial means to sustain themselves in the event of breakdown of support vehicle.
8. All competitors must carry a whistle, and a survival blanket (140cm x 200cm minimum size), at all times.
9. At night, all competitors and buddies must carry a torch or headlamp, with spare batteries, and wear reflective clothing when on road sections.
10. All competitors must bring their own cup for accessing hot and cold drinks at aid stations.
11. All competitors must carry the provided maps, at all times, in order to pin-point their location should their crew or our transport (in the case of Unsupporteds) need to collect them upon retirement.
12. Unsupported competitors must have one kit bag only, clearly labelled. For overseas competitors, a maximum of two clearly labelled kit bags will be accepted. Competitors must minimise the size and weight of their bag, bringing only what is necessary. Maximum permissible weight: 15kg.
13. Buddy runners (someone who runs with the competitor) must be on foot. They must not run in front of their runner, always beside or behind. If in front they will be regarded as pacers and pacing is not permitted in this event. Competitors may have only one buddy runner at a time and then only from the 70.6 mile meeting point at Business First Car Park. Buddy runners must not carry any food, water or other supplies for their runner, i.e. muling is not permitted in this event. Buddies must depart aid stations at the same time as their runner.
14. Walking poles are not allowed at this event for runners or buddies.
15. Sharps, any needles, scalpels, or other articles that could cause wounds or punctures to personnel handling them, must be locked within a suitable container inside kit-bags.
16. Competitors, crews and buddies must accept full responsibility for their actions (see Terms & Conditions).
17. If unable to take part, entrants must undertake to inform the organiser – before race day please (see Pre-Entry Notes).

Route

This is an illustration of the route only, and should not be used for navigation. Official detailed race maps will be provided to competitors before race day.

Registration, Start & Finish

Early Registration on Friday evening 28th August is open from 6:00pm until 8:00pm on the pavement at Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9BD ///pack.each.change.

Registration on race day Saturday 29th August opens at 5:00am at Old Hall Street, L3 9BD. We will start at the Clarke’s Basin Memorial girder archway, adjacent to the Radisson Blue Hotel. Ample car parking is available on Old Leeds Street, L3 9BD, opposite the start.

The Finish is canalside at Office Lock, Bridge 226, Leeds, LS1 4GJ ///from.join.nests, accessible via Wharf Approach. Whilst there is vehicle access to the Finish location, it is not possible to park. Leeds Railway Station Car Park is within 10 minutes walking distance on Aire Street, LS1 4HT.

Aid Stations & Cutoffs

Race Fees & Refunds

Supported: £75, Unsupported: £115 including booking fees.  Please add £2 extra if unattached to a UK club.

Cancellations before 31st May 2026 will receive a 95% refund. A 75% refund will be paid if the organiser is notified between 1st and 30th June 2026.  A 50% refund will be paid if the organiser is notified between 1st and 31st July 2026.  No refunds of the entry fee will be made from that date onward.

To cancel a place, message Rhys & Cerys on hello@canalrace.org.uk as soon as the decision is made. If more than 180 days have passed since the original card transaction, we will make any refund due via PayPal transfer to the email address on SiEntries. Upon request we will make the refund via BACS; in this case make sure to include bank account number and sort code details.