Up to a hundred visitors to Westside will be enjoying a canal-side view of the city centre later this month when they embark on a gruelling endurance race.
The Grand Union Canal Race will see competitors set off from Gas Street Basin, off Broad Street, at 6am on Saturday 29 May on a 145-mile marathon trek to London.
The non-stop race will see the toughest of the toughest run or walk along the Grand Union Canal towpath to Little Venice in the capital.
Held under UK Athletics rules, and with the permission of the Canal & River Trust, the race is regarded by many as Britain’s premier Ultra event.
The Grand Union Canal Race is limited to 100 starters who must be aged 20 or over on the day. They are recommended to have their own support crews, although some unsupported runners may be catered for by organisers.
The route along the towpath is described by organisers as relatively flat and easy to navigate. Gas Street Basin, from where the race starts, is the hub of the 100-mile Birmingham Canal Navigations system, regarded as one of the most intricate canal networks in the country.
Race organiser Keith Godden pointed out that the Grand Union Canal starts and ends in Birmingham, and said: “Gas Street Basin is the heart of the canal network in Birmingham, and is therefore a suitably iconic starting point, as is Little Venice for the finish.”
He said the race, which was first held in 1993, was “organised by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts”.
Mr Godden added: “There are no entry qualifications, other than that you must be over 20 and willing to give it a good try, so runners of all abilities are welcomed.”
Entrants should, however, be aware that they must be able to maintain a good rate of progress in line with an overall time limit of 45 hours for the race.
Regular feeding stations will be placed along the route for those runners without their own support team, with drinks available for all competitors at the same stopping points.
Westside BID general manager Mike Olley said: “This is a great way to showcase the wonderful canal network that we have in the city centre, in particular the Gas Street Basin.
“I trust all the competitors will carry the good wishes of Birmingham, and especially Westside, with them all the way to London.”
By Tony Collins
