Race to the Castle delivers a UK SUP long-distance smash for all: Winners weigh in & 2027 date locked in

The 2026 edition of Race to the Castle (R2TC) has wrapped, with the Kings & Queens of the river crowned after a demanding 40km journey from Nottingham to Newark. In the 14 ft board division, Starboard UK rider Paul “PJ” Simmons and Karis Parker—defending her title and representing the Frangipani SUP Team – set the fastest times, leading a strong field across all categories.

Over 250 participants took on the challenge – bringing not just stoke, but what felt like perfectly ordered weather to match, with an international field spanning the USA, Germany, France, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, and paddlers from across the UK.

Held on Saturday, 25 April, the carefully capped event has firmly established itself as one of the UK’s standout endurance SUP races – selling out fast and drawing paddlers ready to test grit, pacing and resilience over distance.

Photo by Dave Fuller Photography

Cassie Salter, Race to the Castle (R2TC) Director and Founder and Coach of SUP Fitness –Wellbeing and Adventure,  commented:

“Race to the Castle (R2TC) continues to grow year on year, and this year really felt like a landmark moment. From the very first moments on the water, there was an energy running through the entire day that never let up, helped in no small part by bright blue skies, sunshine on our faces, and just a hint of a breeze.

What makes the event so special is the sense of togetherness behind it. While event day is what people see, it’s built on months of planning, collaboration, and shared effort from a huge number of people who all believe in what we’re creating. That collective energy carries all the way through. From the start line to the finish, into the event village, and on to the afterparty at Newark Town Hall.

We’re incredibly proud of the atmosphere that’s grown around R2TC. It’s not just about the challenge on the water, but the community that comes with it, paddlers supporters, and crew all playing their part in something bigger.

Seeing Castlers cross the finish line…feeling the emotion, relief, and pride in that moment, is what it’s all about. Those are the moments that stay with you. We can’t wait to do it all again. The event returns on Saturday, 24 April 2027, with tickets going live on 1 May! 

Cassie Salter, Founder and Race Director of the Race to the Castle | Photo by Dave Fuller Photography

To get a flavour of this year’s edition, TotalSUP caught up with paddlers who topped their divisions.

Karis Parker, 2025 Race to the Castle winner and reigning Queen, hailing from Frangipani SUP Club, which turned out in force this year, said:

“I came for the race, but it’s not just a race… it’s a 40km journey through stunning scenery, camaraderie, and a little bit of castle magic. Winning the female iSUP category again was the icing on the cake. Everyone who turned up are winners in their own right.”

Karis Parker, Winner of the Women 14ft Division | Photo by Julie Krueger

Erica Amada, representing The Wrong Team (Paul Lawrence and Neil Harris) – Winners of the Team Category, said:

“This is the 3rd time I have competed in Race to the Castle and as always Cassie Salter and her amazing team do a fantastic job organising everything which makes it a very special event. 

This year a team category was introduced so Paul Lawrence, Neil Harris and myself decided to enter as The Wrong Team. Typically something always goes ‘Wrong’ and Neil had to pull out at the last minute due to injury leaving Me and Paul as a two man team.

The Teams started with the Adventure fleet at 7am which was new for us and I have to say it was wonderful starting early. The weather was perfect and as we reached the first lock we were neck and neck with the Squiggly Adventures team(Ryan/Rob) and a team from the Netherlands. This stayed the same with different people / teams swapping the lead up to the 10 minute break at Gunthorpe Lock.

Erica Amada of The Wrong Team | Photo by Julie Krueger

After that things changed , Squiggly Adventures and the Netherlands Team dropped the pace a little so we had the glassy river and stunning scenery to ourselves. In the final 5km Ryan from Squiggly Adventures upped his pace overtaking me and catching Paul. After the last lock and heading to the bridge turn Paul was unaware that Ryan had closed the gap, I kept thinking ‘turn round Paul!!!’ but he never did and only realised Ryan had caught him by the time they reached turn. The final 1km is a sprint to the finish against the flow of the river and is a killer after 39km of paddling. Luckily, as Paul had coasted the previous 1km up to the bridge he was able to put the hammer down against the flow and pulled away from Ryan to take the win. I was 3rd over the line meaning our combined time of 5hrs 3minutes was enough to secure the first team trophy. 

This is a fantastic event and i would encourage anyone you has a love of paddle boarding to give it a go. The logistics are easy, the organisation is second to none and you’ll have a fantastic day.”

Photo by Julie Krueger

Maurice Roberts, Winner of the Team Relay – 50 Shades of Spray – paddling with Mark Salter, said:

“It was my first time at race to the castle. We fell lucky with the weather it was perfect. I did the relay with Mark who is recovering from a shoulder surgery. Mark took the first leg to Gunthorpe, and then I picked it up from Gunthorpe through to Newark. It’s a beautiful race, a lot of picturesque river and trees.

From left: Mark Salter and Maurice Roberts of Team 50 Shades of Spray | Photo courtesy of Maurice Roberts

The event is so well run, and you can see why it’s so popular. Cassie and her team are brilliant and so helpful. I had a fun time and enjoyed my paddle even though I’d been ill for a few days. Was nice to get extra drinks at the portages and there was a tap to cool down. The finish section was awesome with all the people, the brass band and the paddlers finished in front of the castle. Then there was lots of food stalls and it was great to get a post race pizza.

Also the best part is that I got to share the podium with my wife Paula who was 2nd in the relay teams. We both paddle for Dyffryn Conwy Paddlers who are based in North Wales!”

Team Relay runners-up Paula Skeoch-Roberts & Nicola Park | Photo by Dave Fuller Photography

Mark Salter, ultra endurance racer and Winner of the Team Relay – 50 Shades of Spray – paddling with Maurice, said:

“Race to the Castle gets bigger and better every year. I believe there’s no other 1-day SUP event in the world that’s as epic as our race here in Nottingham.

Mark Salter | Photo by Julie Krueger

I’m just returning to paddling post-surgery so this year I wasn’t able to defend my race title. My friend Moz kindly agreed to enter the relay version of the race with me this year – it’s the first time that a relay has been run and it worked superbly. I took the shorter 15km option whilst Moz did the larger 25km section of the beautiful on-way course. It’s great to have a SUP partner in such a friendly sport. We won a medal but most importantly we just both loved it.”

The 2026 Race to the Castle results:

Female Adventure Category
Suzanne Roberts – 5:11:13
Noemie Simonet – 5:23:14
Fabienne Paul – 5:25:25

Male Adventure Category
Wayne Taylor – 5:09:50
Phil Crist – 5:10:32
Stewart Light – 5:13:30

Team Relay
Mark Salter & Maurice Roberts – 4:40:42
Paula Skeoch-Roberts & Nicola Park – 5:17:36
Robert Cummings & Kathy Revell – 5:52:20

Team Category
The Wrong Team (Paul Lawrence & Erica Amada) – 5:03:31
Squiggly Adventures (Ryan Owens & Rob Slater) – 5:08:46
Team Encounter (Daron Walker & Andrea Simons) – 6:12:24

Female Race 12’5 and Under
Cat Burdett – 6:14:12
Leigh Boxall – 6:26:20
Immie Terry – 6:46:06

Male Race 12’5 and Under
Alan Macdonald-Brown – 6:00:34
Marc Wade – 6:23:22
James Adams – 7:29:18

Female Race 12’6 to 13’11
Rebecca Januszczyk – 6:17:54
Male Race 12’6 to 13’11
Chris Davison – 4:58:55
Connor Grant – 5:02:53
Andrew Guthrie – 5:15:41

Female Race 14′
Karis Parker – 5:14:52
Angela Kerr – 5:17:37
Lucy Pearce – 5:31:25

Male Race 14′
PJ Simmons – 4:25:51
Patrick McCormack – 4:26:14
Ben Burley – 4:41:04

Male Unlimited
Martin Kerr – 5:40:15

Tandem Category
Alison Rennie & Alistair Swinsco – 4:43:17
Colin Monk & Richard Blakebrough – 5:10:53
Adam Mitchel & David Rowe – 7:23:02

For full results and timings, click here

Registrations for the 2027 edition open on 1 May

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

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