Grand Union Canal 145 Mile (GUCR)
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Grand Union Canal Race 145 (GUCR) 2027
The Grand Union Canal Race is a 145 mile ultra-distance event running 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. The surface is varied towpath and the route is described as mostly flat.
The event is volunteer-powered and organised by a not-for-profit. There are nine aid stations along the route and a race cut off of 45 hours. Route files are provided via plotaroute for navigation and may receive last-minute updates.
Entry is by ballot with specific entry dates: the ballot opens 31 October 2026, closes 14 November 2026 and the draw is on 15 November 2026. There are 200 allocations for 2027. Some guaranteed places are awarded before the draw; applicants who missed out in 2026 receive two tickets in the draw and qualifying volunteers can receive a guaranteed place. The first 40 eligible runners who commit to the Canalslam sequence (KACR 145 and LLCR 130 plus GUCR 145) receive a guaranteed GUCR place subject to eligibility checks.
Support options include using the event’s Canal Crew service or bringing a personal support crew, each governed by the race’s crew guidance. A runner manual with kit lists, checkpoint details and race rules will be released ahead of the event. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
