Grand Union Canal 145 Mile (GUCR)
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
The Grand Union Canal Race 2027
The Grand Union Canal Race 2027 is a volunteer-powered, not-for-profit ultrarunning event of 145 miles along the Grand Union Canal from Birmingham to London. The route follows the towpath through towns and countryside, passing places such as Braunston, Stoke Bruerne, Milton Keynes and Berkhamsted, and finishes near Little Venice after starting at Gas Street Basin. The course is mainly towpath and described as varied underfoot.
Runners have a 45 hour cutoff and nine aid stations are provided along the route. Organisers supply downloadable route files via Plotaroute to allow last minute map updates; Plotaroute may display pop-ups and the organiser does not charge for route downloads.
Entry is by ballot. The ballot opens at 10am on 31 October 2026, closes at 10am on 14 November 2026, and the draw is at 10am on 15 November 2026. There are 200 allocations for 2027. Some guaranteed places are available for qualifying volunteers and a limited Canalslam bonus for eligible entrants; applicants who missed the previous ballot may receive two draw tickets when they indicate this on their application.
Support options include Canal Crew support provided by the event and Bring Your Own Crew where entrants use their own team subject to crew guidance and access rules. A runner manual with kit lists, checkpoint details and race rules will be released at the start of the year. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
