Race To The Castle 2026

Registrations for the Race to the Castle (R2TC)are now open. Limited places available!
Date: Saturday, 25 April 2026
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 & Team
Boards: Inflatable boards only
Logistics: Coach and Lorry to get you and your gear from the Newark to Welbeck on Event Morning. Your after race gear is transported from Welbeck to the finish line.
After Party: Event Village and After Party both at Newark Castle finish line for 2026.
Sunday, 26 April:  Hangover Day, Demo, Yoga on the “The Royal Finish” on The River Trent, Newark Castle

About the event

Brought by Cassie Salter of SUP Fitness –Wellbeing and Adventure, the Race to the Castle (R2TC) is 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, team 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. Paddlers from all over the world are welcome – 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.

Race categories

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

NEW TEAM FOR 2026

• Team Relay – 2 Paddlers – One Paddler Nottingham to Gunthorpe, One Paddler Gunthorpe to Newark Lock – Both paddlers paddle “The Royal Finish” together – Any ISUP
• Team Event – Grab your mates, club and paddle the full route together – Any ISUP

Event schedule

Adventure Category, Team & Junior

• 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)

Race Under 12’6 ISUP, Team Relay

• 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)

Race 12’6 – 13’11 ISUP

• 8am: Event Start
• 11am: 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)

Race 14ft, Tandems, Unlimiteds ISUPS

• 9am: Event Start
• 11:45am: Cut off for Check Point 1 at Gunthorpe (16.7km)
• 1pm: Cut off for Check Point 2 at Hazleford (24.3km)
• 4pm: Race cut off at Newark Castle (40km)

Register for the event here.

To find out more about the race, visit race2thecastle.com

Follow the race on Facebook and Instagram