Grand Union Canal 145 mile Race (GUCR) 2026

The Grand Union Canal 145 mile Race (GUCR 2026) is a non-stop ultramarathon following the fully waymarked Grand Union Canal towpath from Gas Street Basin in Birmingham to Little Venice in London. The race covers approximately 145 miles and is open to runners aged 20 or over, with places limited (the field is capped at 100 starters and allocated primarily by draw). Entrants may choose supported or unsupported entry tiers; organisers provide maps and route guidance to competitors in advance and operate a minimum-support, volunteer-run event ethos.

The event carries a generous 45-hour overall time limit with a finish target by 03:00 on Monday (25 May 2026) and enforces checkpoint cut-offs and mandatory safety kit. Runners receive a certificate and memento for finishing and the first male and female finishers receive perpetual trophies; the race is low-cost, non-profit and run by volunteers with a strong community focus. The organisers publish detailed rules, pre-entry notes and terms on the official event pages and provide contact details for race HQ and administration.