The 2021 London-Bristol Kennet and Avon Canal Race (KACR) started from Little Venice in London at 6am on Friday 23rd July and finished a day later by the John Sebastian in Bathurst Basin. The 145-mile race follows easy to navigate canal, river and railway paths. Competitors receive comprehensive maps of the entire route which passes through some of the best of English countryside.
There were 74 starters in the 2021 race – 39 completed the course and 35 retired en route. The race was won by Ugis Datavs in 26 hours 56 minutes. The men’s record is held by Paul Beechey, who completed the course in 2017 in a time of 25 hours and 48 minutes. The women’s race was won by Frances Evans in a time of 38 hours 12 minutes. And the woman’s record is held by Wendy Shaw who completed the course in 2018 in a time of 32 hours 46 minutes.
Merchants Landing resident, Phil Stannard planned to run the race in aid of Woman’s Trust which supports women affected by domestic abuse. Unfortunately an injury forced Phil to withdraw.