1. What is Canalathon?
Canalathon is a virtual mass participation event to help raise vital funds for the Canal & River Trust through sponsorship. We are asking people to sign up to run or walk 26.2 miles – the distance of a marathon - across the month of June along your local canal or river.
2. How do I sign up?
You can sign up to Canalathon 2024 here.
3. Do I have to run the challenge, or do it all in one go?
You do not have to be a professional runner to take on Canalathon! You can run or walk the challenge and do it in a way that suits you.
You can tick off the miles over the month, or tackle them all in one go. You can complete it alone, or build a team among family, friends and colleagues.
4. How should I track my miles?
It's entirely up to you. You could use an online tracker, such as Strava.
5. What do I receive as part of Canalathon?
The first 200 participants to sign up for Canalathon will receive a branded water bottle, and anyone who creates their JustGiving page and gets a donation will receive a pair of branded shoelaces to wear for their event. You’ll also receive a branded running vest once you’ve raised over £100, and a bespoke finishers medal upon completing Canalathon.
6. Are the shoelaces sustainable?
Sustainability and environmental wellbeing are at the forefront of our values. Our shoelaces are made with used recycled PET, often coming from recycled water/drinks bottles.
You can read more about more about how we protect and enhance the environment.
7. When will I receive my running vest?
All participants who sign up to Canalathon, create a JustGiving page and raise at least £100 on their page will receive a free running vest.
You will receive the vest in the post within two weeks of you raising £100 on your JustGiving page. If you haven't received it by this time, please get in touch with us at [email protected] and we will look into it for you.
8. When will I receive my medal?
All participants who sign up to Canalathon will receive a medal once they complete their Canalathon challenge and have at least one donation on their JustGiving page.
Your medal will be sent out in July after the challenge has finished. If you haven't received it after two weeks of the challenge ending, please get in touch with us at [email protected] and we will look into it for you.
9. How do I pay my fundraising money in?
Our fundraising platform is JustGiving. It's simple to use and takes the hassle out of your fundraising. All donations will be paid to the Trust automatically, so you don't need to do anything.
10. What will the money I raise contribute towards?
Your fundraising will help us create more blue and green spaces in our towns and cities, and allow nature to flourish right on our doorstep. Your support will also help us protect the important heritage of our canals in the face of climate change.
- £100 could help plant 18 apple, pear or plum trees which blossom for insects in spring, and go on to produce fruit to feed birds, animals and people in autumn.
- £200 could help protect and ensure the long-term survival of our 200-year-old heritage structures, which have become more vulnerable in the face of climate change.
- £300 could help upgrade urban towpaths for walkers, runners and cyclists, providing greener ways to commute and exercise.
11. Do I have to complete Canalathon by the canal, or can I do it anywhere?
We'd love you to take to your local towpath and cover the miles by water. Whether you're running or walking, we know that doing it next to our waterways can make you healthier and happier - so whilst you are fundraising for us, we want you to enjoy the wellbeing benefits of being by water and take some time for you too! However, you can fundraise for us anywhere that suits you, as long as it's safe to do so.
12. Can people of all abilities take part?
We welcome people of all abilities and aim to make Canalathon as accessible as possible. Check our accessibility map to see how you can get onto the towpath easily and safely where you live.
Taking a walk along a canal is something that should be enjoyed by as many people as possible. While not all routes are suitable for people with disabilities, towpaths can often be flatter and more accessible than other footpaths. You can find out more information about accessible walks.
For more information on how we are funded, please see our supporter promise, which also signposts to our annual report.
