"LLCR 130 The Trans-Pennine Run"

Liverpool to Leeds. A grand northern adventure. Your legs may use different words.

Introduction

The 2027 Leeds & Liverpool Canal Race is a 130-mile, non-stop adventure from Old Hall Street in Liverpool to Office Lock in Leeds, starting at 6am on Saturday 28 August.

Follow the Leeds & Liverpool Canal through historic mill towns, open countryside and some remarkable feats of waterway engineering. Narrowboats drift past, the landscape changes and Yorkshire gradually gets closer. Gradually being the operative word.

Whether you’re a seasoned ultra runner or wondering what lies beyond your longest finish, there’s a warm welcome waiting. No formal qualifying races are required, but training, preparation and respect for the distance are essential. Northern grit is helpful, although we welcome determination from all postcodes.

Organised by Canalrace C.I.C., LLCR is volunteer-powered, proudly not-for-profit and full of heart. Runners must be 20 or over, and the event operates under UK Athletics rules with permission from the Canal & River Trust.

What to Expect

• One extraordinary journey: Two great northern cities, linked by 130 miles of possibility.

• Mostly gentle gradients: A reminder that “mostly flat” and “easy” are very different things.

• Waterway wonders: Pass Burnley Embankment, Bingley Five Rise Locks and the historic surroundings of Saltaire.

• Route guidance: Supplied maps and route information, including overland paths around tunnels.

• Checkpoint refreshments: Drinks for everyone, with food provision for Canal Crew entrants.

• 40 hours to finish: Run, walk or mix the two while meeting checkpoint cut-offs.

• Proper canal camaraderie: Shared miles, friendly volunteers and conversations that become remarkably focused on your next meal.

Choose Your Crew

Canal Crew — we’re your crew.
Coming without a personal support team? Our volunteers provide checkpoint food, refreshments and kit-bag support as detailed in the runner manual. Expect friendly faces and encouragement when your enthusiasm needs a little topping up.

Bring Your Own Crew — your people, your emergency sandwiches.
Your own team supports you throughout the race, following our crew and access guidance. They bring familiar faces and favourite supplies. You bring increasingly detailed accounts of the last few miles.

What’s Included?

• Runner information and the official route to help you prepare.

• Checkpoint drinks for all participants.

• Food and kit-bag arrangements for Canal Crew entrants.

• Encouragement from volunteers who willingly swap their weekend comforts for your canal adventure.

• A finisher’s memento for everyone completing the race.

• A welcome into a canal family where nobody thinks travelling 130 miles for a sit-down is particularly unusual.

How to Enter

LLCR entry is first come, first served through SiEntries — no ballot required.

Entries for 2027 open at 10am on 31 October 2026. Choose Canal Crew or Bring Your Own Crew, then follow the entry instructions to secure your place.

Fancy the Canalslam? Complete GUCR 145, KACR 145 and LLCR 130 in the same year: three races, 420 miles and plenty to discuss with your sock drawer.

The first 40 eligible runners to enter KACR 145 and LLCR 130, then submit their GUCR ballot application and tick the Canalslam box, receive a guaranteed GUCR place. Eligibility is checked before the draw.

A Few Important Bits

A little homework now makes for a happier journey east.

• The time limit is 40 hours: Finish by 10pm on Sunday 29th August, meeting checkpoint cut-offs along the way.

• This is a minimum-support event: Arrive prepared to look after yourself between checkpoints.

• Retirement transport is available for Canal Crew entrants under the event arrangements.

• Crews and buddy runners must follow the race rules, including access restrictions, joining locations and rules on pacing.

• Check the 2027 runner information for mandatory kit, medical provision and final event arrangements.

Bring your determination and your sense of humour. We’ll bring the welcome. Leeds will provide a very convincing reason to stop.