News

14 May 2021
The Covid-19 Secure – Guidance, Policies and Procedures document for GUCR 2021 is now available here.

29 March 2021
The race permit for the GUCR starting 29 May, including Covid-19 risk assessment & plans have today been approved by the Trail Running Association; in accordance with the organised sport participation events guidance issued by England Athletics and the UK Government on 25 March. The TRA is an associate member of UK Athletics (UKA). The TRA supports UKA in the management and regulation of trail running, and through this association with UKA, the TRA is able to issue permits to race organisers on behalf of UKA. Paid-up competitors will start receiving race updates as ‘normal’ from early April.

Keith

28 January 2021
Having stared into the Canalrace crystal ball, we are none the wiser whether the GUCR will be able to go ahead on Spring Bank Holiday weekend. We will keep monitoring the situation between now and the end of April.

Should it become necessary, we will postpone the GUCR until the autumn – the new start date being Saturday 25 September 2021. Please make a note in your diary, just in case!

Subject to government and England Athletics advice during the first week of May, a decision will be made whether to proceed or to postpone. That direction, as well as limitations and measures required to be implemented, will be communicated to runners and volunteers shortly after. We will listen to all the responses. If we have sufficient volunteers, that are satisfied with all the proposed measures, at that moment we will make a final decision – during the second week of May.

Keith

31 July 2020
Following the government’s announcement on 31 July increasing local lockdown restrictions in the North, we have the opportunity to support those living around the L&L canal route by avoiding our non-essential travel into and through the area. We support the Canal & River Trust’s recommendations that whilst towpaths on the L&L canal route remain open, the use of them in local lockdown areas should be limited and reserved for local use.

So, gulp, here we go (once again)!

LLCR 2020 is cancelled.

I am extremely sorry to everyone involved to have to write these words. Proceed to amend all travel, accommodation and other arrangements as necessary now.

All entrants will be given the choice of either a 100% refund or a transfer to the 2021 LLCR. This process will begin on Monday 10 August via SiEntries; a message will be sent to all competitors with full instructions then.

See you next year
Keith

14 June 2020
Following the new government advice on 28 May easing lockdown restrictions with social distancing measures in place, England Athletics working with runbritain issued their 12 June statement to extend the suspension of all road race activity within the UK to the 31 July. Today the Trail Running Association followed suit to confirm their support for this suspension for trail races until at least 31 July.

This suspension period includes the London to Bristol race weekend and in this case the worst-case decision has to be made, if only to put you all out of your misery. So, here we go (again)!

KACR 2020 is cancelled.

I am extremely sorry to everyone involved to have to write these words. Proceed to amend all travel, accommodation and other arrangements as necessary now.

All entrants will be given the choice of either a 100% refund or a transfer to the 2021 KACR. This process will begin on Monday 22 June via SiEntries; a message will be sent to all competitors with full instructions then.

If you have a Supported (with own crew) place and would prefer to transfer to the 2020 LLCR, please get in touch by Sunday 21 June by email keith.godden@canalrace.org.uk or telephone 07780 685538.

LLCR is therefore the next scheduled canalrace, starting 0600 Saturday 29 August at Old Hall St, Liverpool.

Subject to government and England Athletics advice during the first week of August, a decision will be made whether to proceed with the LLCR in principle. That direction, as well as safety limitations and measures required to be implemented, will be communicated to runners and volunteers shortly after. We will listen to all responses.

If we have sufficient volunteers, that are satisfied with all the proposed measures, at that moment we will make a final decision; during the second week of August.

Keith

25 March 2020
Following the further restrictions on movement put in place by the government on 23 March, UK Athletics working with England Athletics (and supported by the Trail Running Association) have updated their statement to extend the suspension of all trail running activity within the UK to the 31 May – specifically instructing that “bringing groups of people together to train, however small, can no longer be permitted under the strict ‘Stay at home’ measures implemented”.

Considering this suspension period includes the Spring bank holiday weekend, the worst-case decision has to be made sooner or later, so here goes!

GUCR 2020 is cancelled.

I am extremely sorry to everyone involved to have to write these words. Proceed to amend all travel, accommodation and other arrangements as necessary now. All entrants will be provided with a 100% refund and notified by email; that process will begin on Monday 30 March.

If you have a Supported (with own crew) place and would prefer to transfer to the KACR or LLCR, please get in touch by Sunday 29 March by email keith.godden@canalrace.org.uk or telephone 07780 685538.

The entry process for GUCR 2021 will begin with a clean slate, at the end of September. All paid-up GUCR 2020 entrants as of 3pm on 25 March will have an extra ticket in the hat, should they choose to re-apply.

KACR is therefore the next scheduled canalrace, starting 0600 Friday 24 July at Little Venice, London.

Subject to government and England Athletics advice during the first week of July, a decision will be made whether to proceed with the KACR. That direction, as well as limitations and measures required to be implemented, will be communicated to runners and volunteers shortly after. We will listen to all responses.

If we have sufficient volunteers, that are satisfied with all the proposed measures, at that moment we will make a final decision; during the second week of July.

Keith

17 March 2020
On 16 March the government published further advice, introducing social distancing measures. As a result, England Athletics’ statement advises “that all face-to-face activity such as club training sessions, events, competitions, club committee and face-to-face meetings, athlete camps, running groups and social events should be suspended until at least the end of April”.

We would like to keep our options open and delay any decision for the moment, instead opting to keep monitoring the situation between now and the end of April.

It is obvious there will be a significant impact, at least to the GUCR on Spring bank holiday weekend.

It will be necessary to implement some limitations and measures to maximise distance and minimise contact between runners, volunteers and supporters. Hygiene and other limiting measures at aid stations will also be necessary to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

Note that runners, supporters, volunteers and organisers have equal priority in terms of concluding the necessary measures to implement in order to minimise the risks for everyone involved and their families.

Subject to government and England Athletics advice during the first week of May, a decision will be made whether to proceed with the GUCR. That direction, as well as limitations and measures required to be implemented, will be communicated to runners and volunteers shortly after. We will listen to all responses.

If we have sufficient volunteers, that are satisfied with all the proposed measures, at that moment we will make a final decision; during the second week of May.

Keith

9 March 2020
Current government advice is “there is presently no rationale to close or cancel sporting events, but this may change as the situation evolves”.

On 16 March the government published advice on social distancing measures to include “avoid non-essential use of public transport, varying your travel times to avoid rush hour, when possible” and “avoid large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs”.

We have no plans to cancel or postpone any of the canal races.

We cannot predict the progress and impact of the virus on sporting events. The canal races are outdoors with low participant and volunteer numbers and extended over a large distance, so we hope there will be a limited impact.

Please be assured that we will follow the government advice and guidelines and will provide advice to all involved before race day.

See the Public Health England website Coronavirus (COVID-19) – what you need to know as well as Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK government response and NHS Coronavirus Health Information for information about the virus, advice for travellers, how to protect yourself and common questions.

Keith

Like most websites, canalrace.org.uk uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, including by remaining on this page, you consent to the use of cookies.