Event Information

*This information is regularly updated* Last updated 2/10/24

CANALATHON ULTRA - Sunday 30th March 2025

100km, 50km, Half-Marathon, 10km, 5km

*Relay Option

Race HQ / All finishes

Sowerby Bridge Cricket Club, Walton St, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX6 1AN*

Free onsite parking, bag store, toilets, showers

Complimentary pre / post event refreshments

*50km starts at Ancoat's, Manchester and finishes at Sowerby Bridge Cricket Club. Pre-booked transport available from Sowerby Bridge to Ancoat's (optional)

Half Marathon Starts at The Summit Inn, Todmorden, Pre-booked transport available from Sowerby.

Join in the race across Yorkshire & Lancashire

Our courses power along the Rochdale Canal taking in Towns such as Sowerby Bridge, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden passing through stunning Pennine landscapes visiting Aid Stations along the way. A great way to record fast, flat miles over Ultra distances is not often achievable. For this reason, we created The Canalathon Ultra.

Run Distances

We offer distances from 100km, 50km, Half Marathon, 10km to 5km

The 100km, 10km and 5km are held on 'out and back' courses along well-maintained canal towpaths with minimal elevation. The 50km and Half Marathon are 'point to point' races with the 50km and the Half Marathon starting in Ancoats, Manchester and The Summit Inn, Todmorden respectively..

A double decker bus transport option is available for both distances.

On all distances the courses are mainly held on hard surfaces but it is recommended that trail running shoes are worn. Minimal navigation is required just the drive to get from point A to B.

Event Timings

100km: START 0700 (Sowerby Bridge Cricket Club)
Registration: 0615-0645: Briefing: 0645: Start: 0700

50km: START 1000 (Ancoats, Manchester)*
ANCOATS Registration: 0915-0945: Briefing: 0945. Start: 1000
Relay Teams will need to arrange own drop off / pick up at LITTLEBOROUGH with no transport provided for this

*Pre-Booked Bus Transport Available from Sowerby to Ancoats (Optional) OR Make your own way to Ancoats and we'll see you there.

Half-Marathon: START 1200 (The Summit Inn, Todmorden)
SOWERBY Registration: 1115-1145. Briefing: 1145. Start:1200
*Pre-Booked Bus Transport Available from Sowerby (optional) OR Make your own way there.

10km: START 1300 (Sowerby Bridge Cricket Club)
Registration: 1215-1245. Briefing: 1245. Start:1300

5km: START 1315 (Sowerby Bridge Cricket Club

Registration: 1215-1245: Briefing: 1300. Start: 1315

Entry:

100km: £80. Early Bird: £70

50km: £50, Early Bird: £40

50km 2-Person Relay:£80. Early Bird: £70

*Half Marathon: £35

10km: £15

5km: £8

*Pre-Booked Bus Transport Available from Sowerby to Ancoats & Todmorden

ULTRA INFORMATION (100km / 50km)

Locations of Aid Stations (Including What 3 Words locations)
These are located at approximately 12.5km apart and will supply a mixture of sweet and savoury snacks such as bananas, sausage rolls, jam butties, water.

1) Sowerby Bridge ///opera.refuse.combining
2) Todmorden ///snippets.deed.motion
3) Canal Street, Littleborough ///spit.major.proper
4) Boarshaw Road, Middleton ///worm.useful.quick
5) Great Ancoats Street, Manchester ///socket.grip.plants

The courses will be signed and there are volunteer Marshals at the Aid Stations to support you and to record times. Shout out your race number (provided on day) as you speed past and give them a smile.

Cut off times

These times are based on even pacing throughout. You should aim to be ahead of these times earlier in the day to allow for slowing down later and to avoid missing the cut off and being withdrawn.

100km - Start Time 0700 (Sowerby Bridge)

Cut off Times

1015 (on way out) - Littleborough (distance from start 25km)

1330 (Turn point) - Ancoats (31.1 miles, 50km)

1645 (on way back) - Littleborough (distance from start 75km)

50km - Start Time 1000hrs (Ancoats, Manchester)

Cut off Times

1400 - Littleborough (distance from start 25km)

If you miss a cut off time
You will be told by the marshal that you have missed the cut off time and that you are no longer in the race. You will be asked to return your race number. You will then make your own arrangements to return to their vehicle or, if urgently required, will await pick up from a staff member.
If you decide to continue running against our advice you will, unfortunately, no longer be insured and we may not be at the race end when you finish as you will have broken the race rules.

If you want to withdraw
Firstly, you should have your own contact for pick up. If not then make your way to the nearest Aid Station and a pick-up will be arranged as soon as practically possible. Depending on where you are you may want to walk back.

In the event of a medical emergency
If unwell, wait at your nearest Aid Station for a lift.
If requiring an ambulance please dial 999. Use what3words or OS locate for exact locations.

We have mobile sweeps on the route too who will be able to assist where necessary and first aiders at stations.

Spectator Information

A good place to see competitors is at the Aid Stations (listed above).

If travelling by car, bear in mind that the Aid Station locations do not have car parking areas.

They can be accessed by parking responsibly in a nearby designated parking area, walking from the closest train station or bus stop, or by bicycle along the roads or canal.

There are also several pubs along the canal. Several have children’s play areas and all serve food. See the pacing and cut off info to plan when to expect to see your runner.

The Boat and Horses

www.boatandhorsespub.co.uk/

Broadway, Chadderton, Oldham, Lancashire OL9 8AU

0161 681 2363

The Hopwood Arms

www.hopwoodpub.co.uk/

753 Rochdale Rd, Middleton, Manchester, Lancashire M24 2RA

01706 645948

The Summit Inn

https://www.facebook.com/summitinnlittleborough/

140 Todmorden Road, Littleborough, OL15 9LY.

01706 379500