02 September 2025
Entries for the 2026 Canalrace season open from Thursday 18 September at 06:00 on SiEntries. Both races can be entered as a one-off, but competitors completing the Double will receive the one of a kind Gongoozler Award. The option to enter more than one race, or both for the Double will be shown on SiEntries. In the hope of reducing daft questions later, the questionnaire there can only be answered if you have read all the pre-race information i.e. pre-entry notes, terms and conditions, information, rules and FAQ.
Entries for the Liverpool to Leeds will be confirmed immediately i.e. completed as soon as payment is made on SiEntries; subject to correct questionnaire answers!
GUCR pre-registrations will take no payment, and the deadline for pre-registration is end of 31 October. Most places will be allocated by names being drawn from a hat in early November. All applicants will be notified of the result soon afterwards. Those successful will be invited back to SiEntries by email within a few days in order to make payment and confirm their place.
There are additional questions to be answered for the GUCR so we can record those intending to complete the Double, and also to identify those persons that were unsuccessful in last year’s draw; who will receive an extra ticket in the hat.
To significantly improve chances of success at the GUCR draw, we encourage choosing the Supported (with own crew) category. Due to the high demand for an Unsupported (tended by organisers) place, versus the very limited places available.
At the GUCR draw evening in November (after the pre-registration window closes), 180 names will be allocated GUCR places from the applications received, as follows:
- 30 Double-hopefuls will be assigned a guaranteed GUCR place – the first 15 Supported (with own crew) entries and the first 15 Unsupported (tended by organiser) entries based on the date and time the GUCR pre-registration was made.
- 140 names will be drawn from two hats, 70 Supported and 70 Unsupported.
- Keith will allocate the remaining 10 golden ticket* places, with help from the Canalrace team.
* each year some places are reserved for those that have made a significant contribution to the GUCR over its 33 year history, as well as to help rebalance the entry list in the organiser’s eyes, should it be needed.
N.B. all GUCR entry pre-registration data, including questionnaire answers, supported/unsupported choice, and intention to go for the Double, are editable by each applicant up until the end of 31 October 2025.