Last updated 2/4/25
CANALATHON-ULTRA RUNNING FESTIVAL
Sunday 22nd March 2026
100km*, 50km, Half-Marathon, 10km
*4 Person Team Option
Race HQ / All finishes
Sowerby Bridge Cricket Club, Walton St, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX6 1AN
Start Locations
100km & 10km - Sowerby Bridge Cricket Club
50km - Ancoat's, Manchester (finishes at Sowerby Bridge Cricket Club*).
Half-Marathon - The Summit, 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 and 10km.
*4 Person Team Option
The 100km and 10km are '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..
On all distances the courses are mainly on hard surfaces but it is recommended that comfortable trail running shoes are worn. Minimal navigation is required just the drive to get from point A to B.
EXPECTED TIMINGS
100km: START 0700hrs (Sowerby Bridge Cricket Club)
0615-0645: Registration:
0650: Briefing
0700: Start:
50km: START 0900 (Ancoats, Manchester)
0730: Transport leaves Sowerby to Ancoats*
0815-0845: Registration (Ancoats):
0850: Race Briefing
0900: Start
Half-Marathon: START 1000 (The Summit, Todmorden)
0900: Transport leaves Sowerby to Summit*
0915-0945: Registration (The Summit, canal side)
0950: Race Briefing
1000: Start
10km: START 1100 (Sowerby Bridge Cricket Club)
1015-1045: Registration
1050: Briefing
1100: Start:
*Pre-Booked Bus Transport Available from Sowerby (optional) OR Make your own way there.
Investment (in your health :)
100km: £90 (Early Bird, April, £80)
100km 4-Person Relay:£120 (Early Bird, April, £100)
50km: £60 (Early Bird, April, £50)
Half Marathon: £45 (Early Bird, April, £35)
10km: £25 (Early Bird, April, £20)
ULTRA INFORMATION (100km / 50km)
CUT OFF TIMES
These generous 'cut off' times are based on even pacing throughout. You should aim to be ahead of these times earlier in the day to allow for possible slowing down later - especially on the gentle uphill section from Ancoats to Summit - and to avoid missing the 'cut off' and having to be withdrawn.
100km (Start 0700 - Sowerby Bridge)
1015 (on way out) - Littleborough (distance from start 25km)
1200 (on way out) - Middleton Aid Point (37km from start)
1330 (Turn point) - Ancoat's (31.1 miles, 50km)
1645 (on way back) - Littleborough (distance from start 75km)
50km (Start Time 0900hrs - Ancoats)
1300 - Littleborough (distance from start 25km)
Half-Marathon & 10km
There are NO cut off times
If you miss a cut off time
You will be informed by the marshals that you have missed the 'cut off' time and that you are no longer in the race. You will then be asked to return your race numbers. Make your own arrangements to return to your vehicle or, if urgently required, await pick up from a staff member.
If you decide to continue running you will, unfortunately, no longer be insured and we may not be at the race end when you finish.
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 also have mobile sweeps on the route who will be able to assist where necessary and first aiders
are based at stations.
Locations of Aid Stations (what3words)
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.grit.plants
The courses will be signed with Marshals at the Aid Stations to support you and feed you. Shout out your race number (provided on day) as you speed past and give them a smile :).
Spectator Information
A good place to see competitors is at the Aid Stations.
If travelling by car, the Aid Stations have places to park close to them.
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 Summit
https://www.facebook.com/summitinnlittleborough/
140 Todmorden Road, Littleborough, OL15 9LY.
01706 379500
The Golden Lion
https://goldenliontodmorden.co.uk
Fielden Square, Todmorden, OL14 6LZ
01706 816333
The Stubbing Wharf
King St, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire HX7 6LU
01422 844107
Railway stations
From Manchester Victoria to all towns on the race route. All are only a short walk away from the Rochdale canal.
*Moston *Mills Hill *Castleton *Rochdale *Smithybridge * Littleborough * Walsden
*Todmorden *Hebden Bridge *Mytholmroyd *Sowerby Bridge.