Multi-distance running event on the flat Leeds to Liverpool Canal towpath at Kirkstall, with 10K, 10-mile, half marathon, marathon and ultra marathon.
The Winter Canal Canter is back on the Leeds to Liverpool Canal on Saturday 16 January 2027, with the first wave of races starting at 08:30. It's put on by It's Grim up North Running, a race company that runs multi-distance events across trail and road, and the course follows the canal at Kirkstall — a scenic, entirely flat out-and-back towpath. The organisers pitch it as much to beginners looking for a confidence-building run as to seasoned athletes hunting a personal best, so it's one of those days where you'll see people from both ends of the spectrum on the same path.
It's run as a full distance stable, meaning there's a distance to suit whatever you're feeling on the morning. The marathon covers 26.2 miles as two laps of the half marathon, and the ultra marathon shares a start time with the 10 miler and 20 miler. The 10K sets off later, so if you're not quite ready for the long haul, that's your best bet. Feed and drink stations line the route roughly every three miles, and every finisher gets a bespoke medal. The event is licensed by the Trail Running Association under UKA rules.
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If you're planning to enter, the start is at the Leeds to Liverpool Canal, Wyther Lane, Kirkstall, Leeds, LS5 3BT. Entry is between £29.00 and £43.00, depending on the distance you pick.
Date
Saturday, 16 January 2027
08:30
Price
Paid
Recommended Age
+14 years
