Race 2 The Castle 2025

The longest one-way downriver race in the UK – 40km of downriver paddling through the lush, rolling countryside of The Trent Valley

Race To The Castle #R2TC is the Bucket-List paddle board event. An event that celebrates the strength, strategy and courage a paddler makes when they commit to an ultra distance challenge. R2TC is a fun, friendly, safe and inclusive race open to all paddlers. You can enter by yourself, with family, friends or your SUP Club.

Paddlers have the option to take part in the R2TC either as part of the race or adventure fleet. Same route, same date. If you want to have the most available time enter the adventure category and if you want to test your skills, stamina and strategy enter the applicable race category for your board length.

You’ll be joining like minded folks who want to adventure and endurance paddle. To test themselves, to battle the elements, who all want to race to the castle and then share and trade stories with you.

These people will become your new friends. In 2024 we welcomed paddlers from all over the world; USA, Germany, France, Vienna, Netherlands, Belgium and from all over the UK.

Every finisher is awarded their R2TC Medal to wear with pride and the Top 3 fastest times in Male and Female across all categories will be crowned Kings and Queens of the river.

We’re hoping you’ll join us every year. Same weekend, but each year the conditions may vary.

“Will it be a sunny year? Will the wind be behind us? What will the flow rate be? Head wind like the inaugural event in 2024? (surely not)”

Race to the Castle 2025 in a nutshell

Date: Saturday 26th April 2025
Location: River Trent
Distance: 40km
Type: One Way. Downriver, Fully Navigable Waters
Start: Suspension Bridge, River Trent
End: Newark Castle, River Trent
Portages: 5
Categories: Race & Adventure
Boards: ISUP Only
Logistics: Boards, equipment lorry’d back. You on coach, train, family friends
After Party: Event Village at the finish line. Full after party at Welbeck Hall
Sunday: Hangover day at the lake, demos, tasters, talks, social and fun races

Map

Race 2 The Castle Categories

Adventure
Junior Female* Adventure Category – Any ISUP
Junior Male* Adventure Category – Any ISUP
Female Adventure Category – Any ISUP
Male Adventure Category – Any ISUP

Race
Junior Female* Race – Any ISUP
Junior Male * Race – Any ISUP
Female Race – Under 12.5 ISUP
Male Race – Under 12.5 ISUP
Female Race – 12.6 to 13.11 ISUP
Male Race – 12.6 to 13.11 ISUP
Female Race – 14ft ISUP
Male Race – 14ft ISUP
Female Race – Unlimited ISUP
Male Race – Unlimited ISUP
Race Tandems – ISUP

Race 2 The Castle Schedule

Wave 1: 7am
Adventure Category & All Junior Paddlers
7am: Event Start
10:45am: Cut off for Check Point 1 at Gunthorpe (16.7km)
12:30pm: Cut off for Check Point 2 at Hazleford (24.3km)
4pm: Race cut off at Newark Castle (40km)

Wave 2: 7:30am
Race Under 12’6 ISUP
7:30am: Event Start
10:45am: Cut off for Check Point 1 at Gunthorpe (16.7km)
12:30pm: Cut off for Check Point 2 at Hazleford (24.3km)
4pm: Race cut off at Newark Castle (40km)

Wave 3: 8am
Race 12’6 – 13’11 ISUP
8am: Event Start
10:45am: Cut off for Check Point 1 at Gunthorpe (16.7km)
12:30pm: Cut off for Check Point 2 at Hazleford (24.3km)
4pm: Race cut off at Newark Castle (40km)

Wave 4: 9am
Race 14ft ISUP & Tandems
9am: Event Start
10:30am: Cut off for Check Point 1 at Gunthorpe (16.7km)
12:45pm: Cut off for Check Point 2 at Hazleford (24.3km)
4pm: Race cut off at Newark Castle (40km)

Mandatory Kit List

This will be checked on registration, Gunthorpe CP and at the end (not because we are dictators and rules for rules sake….but because if sh*t goes down, we want you to have access to some basic stuff that will help you) You can of course add more items, that suits your needs and strategy.

Emergency Kit

The following 5 items below MUST be carried on your person, in your PFD pocket or bum bag.

– Fully charged mobile phone, with access to the internet and in a dry bag. You will have the Race Director, Deputy and Head of participants welfare telephone number pre programmed in your phone. You will have joined the event day WhatsApp group and have notifications on loud. This information will also be on a sticker that you have attached to your board.
– Foil Blanket – The Marathon style one.
– Sugary snack & spare hydration.
– Cash / Bank card.
– Event Tracker

Equipment

Inflatable Board, fin, paddle, leash, personal flotation device (PFD). Your PFD must be body worn. Not an inflatable waist pfd.

Clothing

Suitable clothing that is reactive to the weather.
Footwear must be worn at the locks. No barefoot portaging/walking.
Consider sun protection, rain, cold temperature.
Full change of clothing available at the end of the race. We will transport this for you.
Access to change / spares during the event (spares on board?)

Hydration & Nutrition

Paddlers are required to begin the race carrying their own water. We highly recommend using a hydration bladder in your PFD or wear the rucksack type on top of your PFD rather than relying on a water bottle on your board. At all locks and at the finish there will be access to free drinking water and snacks to help re-supply paddlers with water.

We ask you to consider and plan your fuel needs ahead of event day. Our coaches will be providing a free online zoom training session mid March to support you in your fuel needs.

For the safety of all participants there will be a mandatory 10min break for all racers at Gunthorpe Lock. You’ll arrive at this checkpoint/cut off point and then your 10min will begin. Here, our team of volunteers and first aid support will welfare check you and get you ready for your next stage. You can of course have a longer break, but you need to manage your timings to meet the next cut off check point.

EVENT VILLAGE, AFTER PARTY & Hangover day

Let’s make a weekend of it
Our plans for 2025 are taking great shape and we are building on the success of our inaugural year and we are making #R2TC25 even bigger and better!! So save the dates, because its going to be one helluva weekend.

Calling all crew, supporters and participants, you are all invited to the R2TC25 Event Village, After Party and Hangover Day. This is included in your entry fee for you and your supporters.

NEW for 2025 – Event Village
Location: The Finish Line, Riverside Park, Newark Castle 12pm – 5pm
Spectators: The place to cheer your paddlers in, you can relax and soak up the famous #R2TC atmosphere. There will be food vendors, drinks, retail, demo, music and wellbeing zones for you to explore.
Paddlers: Welcome! you have made it to the Castle. Celebrate with drinks, grab some food, start the celebrations with the party vibe and get yourself a well earned massage.

After Party & Award Ceremony

Location: Welbeck Hall, same place as registration.
Time: 6:30pm – Midnight
Dress Code: What ever you like. Official R2TC Merch encouraged, but if you want to go black tie and ball gown please do. Remember to pick up your party crown from the bar 🙂
Music: DJ Daniel is back and is ready to play all your favourite dance floor classics.
Awards: 730pm – Top 3 from all categories awarded Kings and Queens of the River and Recognition Award for paddlers, volunteers and supporters.

NEW for 2025 – SUNDAY FUNDAY. The Hangover Day
Staying the weekend? Local? Then join us on Sunday 27th April for a chilled day. We don’t want the fun to end. There’ll be demos, talks, social paddles food and more. Everyone Welcome. Full schedule released soon.

REGISTER

Let the adventure begin and sign up today for the UK’s Bucket – List Paddle Board Event.You’ll be in great company, joining 300+ paddlers as they all Race To The Castle on Saturday April 26th 2025.Smiles & hugs guaranteed.

www.race2thecastle.com/register