The Eleventh
LEEDS & LIVERPOOL CANAL 130 MILE RACE
(LLCR 2025)

Liverpool - Leeds

"The Trans-Pennine Run"

Saturday 23rd August 2025 06:00 at Old Hall St, Liverpool, UK

LLCR Information

Held under UK:Athletics rules and with the kind permission of The Canal & River Trust, this non-stop race is from Old Hall Street, Liverpool, along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath, to Office Lock, Leeds.  Competitors, who must be 20 or over on race day, are recommended to have their own support crews, but up to 75 Unsupported runners can be catered for by the Organisers, Canalrace C.I.C.. Trail Running Association Permit Number: TBC.

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. To avoid disappointment at the end of your race (as well as during), set your expectation to low, and then halve it!


Canal & River Trust

Race Introduction

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”

LLCR is the last of a three race series “The Canalslam” totalling over 400 miles.  Each race can be entered as a one-off, but competitors completing all three receive a special award.  As with the other two events there are no entry qualifications, but a schedule to fit a 40 hour overall time limit is required.

  • Easy route navigation – detailed maps and a canal to follow.
  • Plenty of support – snacks and drinks every 10 –15 miles.
  • Transport for retirees – a lift to the nearest station for anyone having a bad day.
  • Easy to meet cut-off times – simply in line with the generous overall time limits.
  • No qualification – previous experience of just a marathon has proven enough.

Line Map

 LLCR line route map - Liverpool to Leeds

Course Records

Awards

Perpetual trophy for 1st Man and 1st Lady; canalware trophy for 1st Man and 1st Lady; certificate and memento for each finisher; memento for all Canalslam finishers.

N.B. This event:

  • is minimum support, but with feed points at 14, 25, 40, 54, 70, 84, 99, 113 and 127 miles for Unsupported runners.  Drinks available for all competitors at these points;
  • has no first aid or medical backup, but provides transport for retiring Unsupported entrants;
  • welcomes support crews throughout, and solo buddy runners (not pacers) on foot and only from 70 miles;
  • has checkpoint cut-off times in line with an overall time-limit of 40 hours (i.e. to finish by 2200 hours on Sunday);
  • is limited to 100 starters in total first come first served.  Places will not be allocated by a 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

LLCR Elevation Profile
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 23rd 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 24th 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: £70, Unsupported: £110 including booking fees.  Please add £2 extra if unattached to a UK club.

Cancellations before 31st May 2025 will receive a 95% refund. A 75% refund will be paid if the organiser is notified between 1st and 30th June 2025.  A 50% refund will be paid if the organiser is notified between 1st and 31st July 2025.  No refunds of the entry fee will be made from that date onward.

To cancel a place, message keith.godden@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.

Entry Information

Find out more about entering the 2025 Leeds & Liverpool Canal Race

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