16 September 2025

🚨 One Year. Two Races. One Award. Introducing the Gongoozler 🚨

Complete GUCR 145 and LLCR 130 in 2026 to earn this one-time-only honour.

In 2026, we’re launching something new (and just a little bit daft):

The Gongoozler Award — a limited-edition memento for anyone who completes both the Grand Union Canal Race (145 miles) and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Race (130 miles) in the same calendar year.

It’s tough, it’s scenic, it’s totally canal-soaked… and it’s happening just once.

Here\’s how it works:

✔️ Sign up for GUCR 145 and LLCR 130
✔️ Finish both in 2026
🏅 Receive the exclusive Gongoozler Award

That’s it. No separate entry, no fuss — just commit, complete, and collect.

Extra special for 2026:

To help make the double dream a reality, we’re reserving 30 guaranteed GUCR places specifically for Gongoozler hopefuls.
This means 30 runners aiming to do both races will bypass the GUCR draw and go straight in — no need to cross your fingers and hope for the hat.

(You’ll still need to pre-register via SiEntries and tick the relevant boxes — more info in the entry notes.)

Wait… what’s a Gongoozler?

Traditionally, a curious canal-side onlooker. But in 2026, it’s someone who’s run 275 miles of towpath and lived to tell the tale. If that’s not worth a trophy, what is?

Why only 2026?

With the three-race Canalslam stepping aside, this is our new way to celebrate those going the (very) long way round. It’s big. It’s bold. It’s borderline bonkers.

And when it’s over — it’s over. No repeats. No reruns.

Two races. One shot. A lot of towpath. Are you in?
Just sign up for both. The rest will take care of itself.