Race Introduction

The Warwickshire Ring Canal Race is a circular route comprised of sections of the Coventry; Birmingham & Fazeley; Grand Union; and Oxford Canal towpaths. Starting and finishing at Coventry Basin, the anti-clockwise circuit covers approximately 111 canal miles.

Starting at 08:00 hours on Saturday, competitors have until 17:00 on Sunday to reach the Finish. The four checkpoints, located approximately 25 miles apart, have generous cut-off times in line with the, very achievable, 33 hour overall time limit.

This event is the “middle race” of the three race 2024 Canalslam series totalling nearly 400 miles. Each race can be entered as a one-off, but competitors completing all three receive a special award. Entrants should note that checkpoint/feed-stations are further apart than in these other races.

The varied, easy-to-follow, course takes in rural, urban, and industrial areas. Competitors will enjoy an unusual view of “Spaghetti Junction”, descend the “Stairway to Heaven”, round the “Cape of Good Hope”, and pass no less than four “Boat Inns” during their endeavours.

As with the other events there are no entry qualifications, but a schedule to fit a 33 hour overall time limit is required.

WRCR is the middle 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.

• Easy route navigation – detailed maps and a canal to follow.
• Plenty of support – feed stations approximately every 25 miles, and buddies allowed from the 75 mile point.
• 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

Awards

Canalware trophy for 1st Man and 1st Lady; certificate and memento for each finishers.

N.B. This event:

• is minimum support, but with feed points at 27, 50, 75, 96.8 and 111 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 75 miles;
• has checkpoint cut-off times in line with an overall time-limit of 33 hours (i.e. to finish by 1700 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.)
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 75 mile meeting point at Birdingbury Bridge 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 June is open from 6:00pm until 8:00pm on the pavement at Coventry Canal Basin, Leicester Row, Coventry, CV1 4LY ///narrow.stow.risk. Roadside pay and display parking is available on Leicester Row, free after 6:00pm; maximum stay 2 hours.

Registration on race day Saturday 29th June opens at 7:00am at Coventry Canal Basin, St Nicholas Street, Coventry, CV1 4LY ///fact.test.pose. Roadside pay and display parking is available on Leicester Row, free before 8:00am; maximum stay 2 hours.

The Finish on Sunday is the same location as the Start – Coventry Canal Basin, St Nicholas Street, Coventry, CV1 4LY. ///fact.test.pose. Roadside pay and display parking is available on Leicester Row, free before 10:00am and after 4:00pm; maximum stay 4 hours.

Limited free parking during Saturday and Sunday is available in Canal Basin Car Park, off Leicester Row ///horses.bend.storm.

Aid Stations & Cutoffs

Race Fees & Refunds

Supported: £60, Unsupported: £95 including booking fees.  Please add £2 extra if unattached to a UK club.

Cancellations before 31st March 2024 will receive a 95% refund. A 75% refund will be paid if the organiser is notified between 1st and 30th April 2024.  A 50% refund will be paid if the organiser is notified between 1st and 31st May 2024.  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.