Really enjoyable Ultra. There were plenty of clear pre race instructions sent - and sensible timings organised. Registration was simple & fairly quick. The bus took us from finish to the start. The organisers were let down on the start venue and whilst they apologised and used good humour to win everyone vet there was a slightly delayed start - which wasn’t an issue. The route follows the canal and simple to follow. Some very nice scenery along the way. Aid stations had a really good choice for all. The route was also well marshalled. Nice T-shirt, medal and bag. All in a bit more than I might want to pay on average so only good value rather than excellent. Really enjoyed the run - recommend it as it’s pretty flat and all of it is very runnable.

Where to start? 50k from Manchester to Halifax along the canal. A great event by Cannonball Events and I can’t fault the organisation. Food stations were always well stocked and volunteers could not help you enough. Maybe a more visible sign or two around bridges etc would be helpful but if I can navigate it then anyone can. Don’t let the word ‘canal’ make you think it was flat. It wasn’t and despite the beautiful scenery it got dull along the towpath. It helped having regular runners and walkers to keep you going. Goody bag was great - bobble hat, buff, bag and medal. One issue raised was the lack of toilets on route. Including the start. Only 4 portaloos which led to a delay in the start time. I didn’t see one the whole 50k however I may be wrong and didn’t see them.

Really friendly and approachable organizers. Marshals and aid stations were fantastic. I really like the route,yes it's along a canal but the scenery changes a lot and the support from locals and supporters of the runners was great. Saw several people in different places along the route. Very pleased with my time (33 min pb) and the medal,t shirt,bag,buff and hat. Thoroughly recommended as a first ultra. So relaxed,I had a great time.

Don't let the name and description of this event fool you. It is not flat! I entered the 50km event as my first ultra. The route follows the Rochdale canal from the outskirts of Manchester, all the way to Sowerby Bridge. The event has the choice of a 100km option (the same route out and back from Sowerby Bridge) and a 75km option with an earlier turning point. I registered at Sowerby Bridge. Event packs were ready and waiting. One item was free with registration, I chose the bobble hat, and you could purchase some reasonably priced add-ons, such as a T-shirt for £10 and a medal for £4. This was a nice idea and meant that you weren't paying for something you didn't want. The bus to Manchester left exactly on schedule and everything at the start appeared well-organised. It was a little different in Manchester as long queues formed for the few portaloos. These were right next to the start line, which meant the queue straddled the timing mats, leading to a delayed start. This wasn't a major problem though as everyone was in god spirits and, I believe, the organisers had been let down at late notice by the owners of facilities they had intended to use, so not entirely their fault. The route does exactly what it says on the tin, it follows the canal all the way. The first 20 miles are slightly up hill, gaining about 500 feet over that time as you climb up past the locks. A few steep uphills by the lock gates provided regular walking breaks for many. You do get the flip side of this in the last 10 miles with a gentle downhill, but it doesn't seem like down by that stage. Aid stations seemed well-stocked, with crisps, fruit, biscuits, etc. The main gripe was lack of toilet facilities, which again, I appreciate is not entirely the fault of the organisers on an event like this. They had arranged for participants to use one or two public houses along the route, but there was a long stretch in the middle with nothing until a pub at the 41km mark, which was much needed by that stage! All in all a really nice event, decent value for money and a great introduction into ultra distances. I'd definitely recommend and will most likely do again.

As an entry to Ultra running I decided Canalathon 50k would be a great start. 

It didn’t disappoint. Course is relatively flat as expected along the canal. Only inclines are the locks which towards the end on tired legs are brutal.

once out of the city then the scenery is stunning. 

Marshals were great and the other runners support was great. Such a friendly atmosphere. 

Feed stations were more than sufficient and navigation was a breeze (follow the canal!). 

Loved the run and will be back next year. 

Canalathon 50k was my first Ultra in 2016. I completed it on my own and loved it. This year I went back with a bit more experience and 4 great friends. 

We decided to make a weekend out of it booked an amazing house for 2 nights. We arrived on the Saturday afternoon and headed straight to Sowerby Bridge to check out where we had to register and parking, so there would be no panic on race day. We then headed to our converted barn, which was in the middle of hills and an excellent location for potential kidnappers! 

Registration was easy. We gave in our names and were handed our race packs. Medal & t.shirt is given pre race (which I’m not sure I like as I like to earn my medal before I get it!) but we stashed them away in Ann’s bag for safe keeping. I ordered a t.shirt but was given a bobble hat. After speaking to the RD he said he would leave me a t.shirt at the finish, which he did but it was a 75k one!

At 7.15 we boarded the coach to the start in Manchester and after a 40minute drive we were at the start. After the briefing we were off at 8:30 sharp. The lap around the car park before joining the tow path is a highlight! 

The weather was glorious and there were lots of people out and about. Public support during ultras is little to none, so it was lovely to get good luck wishes along most of the route. 

The check points were great and loaded with tasty snacks. I found the ham wraps, jaffas, jelly babies and flat cola particularly yummy! The marshals were chatty and cheery and helpful with filling water bottles and passing round food. There was an extra sweet stop at mile 17.5 thanks to Helen & Andy!

At CP3 we knew we had 5 miles to go. My friend Ann, who I was running with pushed me in those last miles to keep running and ‘get it done!’. I was thankful to see Jon & Brian at the finish line after 31.33 miles! We then all cheered Ellie home. For a second time, this event did not disappoint. 15min PB and fantastic memories! #teamgreen

Although it was my first venture into Ultra running the excellent pre-race emails and website of Cannonball Events ensured a smooth registration around 7am at Sowerby Bridge from where a coach ferried us to the start in the Ancoats area of Manchester.

A quick briefing preceded a prompt start at 8.30 and around 140 of us set off through the industrial landscape of East Manchester. The course moves through some lovely scenery for the latter 35k of the route, with plenty of geese, fisherman, Sunday morning walkers and the odd Swan as company.

The official feed stations were well stocked and manned by enthusiatic Marshals, with a welcoming bonus #ukrunchat station manned by Helen and Andy.

The field spread out during the last 10-15k but plenty of locals out for a walk or ride in the lovely weather gave great encouragement and directions when i went the wrong way once! I found the solitude of the last mile quite difficult and when the welcome sight of the small but well organised finish area appeared it spurred me home.

The race t-shirt and medal are both top quality and thanks must go to the organisers for whom it must be a very long day.

It's a race i'd recommend for anyone wanting to try an Ultra for the first time, relatively flat and scenic, but watch out for the cobblestones by the locks and bridges 

Finally, if you're lucky enough to run with friends like Ellie, Gemma, Ann and Jon you'll have a day to treasure

  

 

i did my first ultra last July with Wirral ultra legend Gemma Cloney last year and when our friend Ann Currie suggested the possibility of doing this event we had a plan.Brian Shenton and Ellie Preece joined us and #teamgreen Canalathon was on.We stayed overnight before and after at a lovely house in Littleborough which helped a lot with prep and recovery.

Registration was good,we didn't have our t shirts we'd ordered but we got them no problem at the end.The coach journey to Manchester was easy and after the 50k briefing and a lap of the car park we were off down to the canal.

The route was easy to follow,I was lucky that I had runners to follow although at one point where I wasn't sure,I followed the advice given in the briefing to ask a local and they helped me out.

The scenery,after the first few miles was stunning.We were blessed with lovely weather and I had a great time.The feed stations were excellent at 11,20 and 26ish miles plus a #ukrunchat one from Helen and Adam at 18ish.Flat coke,Jaffa cakes and jelly babies meant my emergency rations were untouched.Yay!

The support from locals whether walking dogs or sitting by pubs was great all the way along.

I would thoroughly recommend the event.The 50k(31 and a little bit miles) is a great distance.Going slower in general meant when I got to the point in a marathon where I start to stress (18-21) I was actually moving easier and the checkpoints were very useful in giving me time to chill and refocus.

Subject to other plans,ambitions and money will definitely do this again.

T shirt,hat and medal all brilliant and I was fortunate to spend the weekend with 4 wonderful friends and create lifelong memories.

Jon (#teamgreen)

I decided a while ago that, in 2018, I would do an ultra. This isn’t the one I first signed up to but boy am I glad it was my first. 

I took part in the 50km with a few lovely friends. We got to registration which was well organised, 3 tables segregated into distances. The race briefing was held for the 75/100km runners in the workingmen's club which the 50km runners could also attend before boarding the coach to Manchester. 

At Manchester, there were portaloos available. It wasn’t too busy either. There was a race briefing before the start for those who were not at Sowerby Bridge. The race started exactly on 8:30. 

We all set off and the course was relatively easy to navigate, following the canal. Except for one bit  where you have to cross the bridge turning left and double back on yourself to go down the steps through a tunnel to pick up the path, around 39km. 

There were 4 check points and well stocked with flap jacks, Jaffa cakes, sausage rolls, coke, water. Everything you could possibly want or need and they were checking on every runner. Talking to you and seeing how you were doing. These marshals on the course were fantastic - thank you marshal.

We couldn’t have hoped for better weather, it was a fantastic experience and if I said I didn’t shed a few tears at the finish would be a lie. To share this experience with my friends and everyone out there, runners and marshals, was the best I could have ever hoped for.

I could definitely come back to this one and highly recommend for a first timer!

 

I've done this race twice - once as last finisher of the 50k in 2015 and again slighter faster and better placed in 2017 (though not much)

It is a great race for a first time ultrarunner, with a flat, scenic course (once you've run through the industrial outskirts of Manchester) along the Rochdale Canal, and a support crew of marshalls and organisers who clearly want to give you the best chance you can to finish an ultra.

It is a really friendly race and the marshalls are excellent. It is obvious that they are also runners, as they were really supportive and knowledgeable. The marshall on the second last checkpoint in 2015 almost certainly saved me from a DNF by virtually force feeding me!

The only negative point was the toilet queue at the start was so bad that the start was delayed for both years I have run it.