GUCR & LLCR ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN!
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
You’ve arrived at the home of some of Britain’s most iconic canal ultras — including the Grand Union Canal Race (GUCR 145) and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Race (LLCR 130) — plus our brand new 40-mile taster event, the MonBrec Canal Race (MBCR 40).
These races aren’t just about the miles (though there are plenty of those) — they’re about the people. Each event is lovingly organised by a dedicated team of volunteers, supported by a tight-knit, slightly sleep-deprived community of runners, helpers, and canal-side legends.
Whether you’re dipping your toe in with MonBrec or going the distance at GUCR, you’ll be cheered, fed, encouraged, and occasionally patched up by people who get it. No big sponsors, no glitz — just real support, real camaraderie, and a shared love of going the distance.
Grand Union Canal 145 mile Race (GUCR) 2026
Birmingham – London
“The Long Run”
Saturday 23rd May 2026 06:00 at Gas Street, Birmingham, UK
Widely hailed as one of Britain’s most iconic ultras, this 145-mile non-stop adventure starts at Gas Street Basin in the heart of Birmingham and finishes in Little Venice, right in the middle of London.
Following the well-marked Grand Union Canal towpath all the way, the route is easy to navigate and mostly flat — winding through a mix of buzzing cityscapes and peaceful countryside. There’s a bit of everything along the way, making it a unique challenge for every kind of runner.
Leeds & Liverpool Canal 130 mile Race (LLCR) 2026
Liverpool – Leeds
“The Trans-Pennine Run”
Saturday 29th August 2026 06:00 at Old Hall St, Liverpool, UK
Starting in Liverpool and finishing in Leeds, this 130-mile towpath race follows the historic Leeds & Liverpool Canal through the heart of the “Industrial North.”
Expect a surprising mix of peaceful countryside and engineering wonders like the mile-long Burnley Embankment and the impressive Bingley Five Rise staircase — two of the “Seven Wonders of the Waterways.”
A perfect blend of grit, history, and stunning views for runners seeking a true adventure.
Latest News
GUCR 2022 Results and Retirements. Victorious, Happy and Glorious!
Belgrave Harriers' Sam Amend wins this Platinum Jubilee weekend in a new ladies record time of 25 hours 45 minutes! Ian Hammett is 1st Man, arriving at Little Venice in 27 hours 48 minutes. Congratulations to all finishers. Official results can be found here and the...
GUCR 2022 Race Log & Live Results
Starting 06:00 Friday 3rd June 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 Little Venice. [canalrace-event-log...
Stop-press news of GUCR 2023
From our reporter Nick Keard As those who’ve read the history of GUCR will know, in 1993 British Waterways opened the GUC towpath as a public right of way. To coincide with the opening, BW suggested that the Trail Running Association might like to organise a foot-race...
A Letter of Congratulations to 2021 Canalslam Finishers
Dear Mich, Andrew, Julian, Brendan, Mark, Laurence, Russell, Andy, Peter and Nicole, On behalf of all Canalrace Volunteers, may I offer sincere congratulations on your completion of the 2021 Canalslam. Throughout last season, all the events were constantly under...
2023 Canalslam Series Dates (updated 7 September)
Stop-press news: To celebrate 30 years of Canal Mania V2, the 2023 GUC race will be "Uphill" from London to Birmingham! Furthermore, early checkpoints on the 2023 London to Bristol (KACR) event will now be approximately marathon distance apart, later ones about 15...
“Any Suffering You Endured Will be Forgotten” – Tips from Peter Johnson
Written by Peter Johnson. For anyone starting one of canal races, your mind has to be in the right place, my only dnf from I believe 18 gucr starts was because I couldn't face the next section, you have to fight the demons in your head. It obviously helps to train for...