GUCR 2005 - Grand Union Canal Race
Hanno Nickau

28th May 2005, 6am, Gas Street Basin, Birmingham

The Grand Union Canal Race is the longest continuous race in the UK, 145 miles from Birmingham, Gas Street Basin, to Little Venice in London.

A big thank you to my son, Simon Nickau (phone 07704 612730) for maintaining this page during the race keeping everyone informed about my progress. 

I will be carrying my mobile (07751 198648) most of the time, the support crew is led by Marie-Anne Fischer (mobile 07762 937895)
If you want to come and support me, or just to see me suffer, please ring to find out where exactly we are.

Click here to see the progress table!            Pictures 2005 and from last year (2004)

"Live" Updates:

(The Thoughts of Hanno)

Knowle Locks: Hanno claims to have had a comfortable and easy run with some of the people he ran Marathon of Britain with last year. He has run well and although he was at the slow end of his targets to start off with, he is now at the fast end. We missed the Catherine de Barnes Checkpoint to get to Knowle Locks.

Hatton Locks: Hanno tells me that the weather is great, with a breeze that is "strong in the face". Great for him, maybe not so great for us trying to cook water over a gas cooker. He also says that he enjoys the morning.

Birdingbury Bridge (A426): He has now done a quarter of the way and says that the weather is still good. He just had a "good lunch" (cold ravioli, tea, a banana).

Braunston (2 o'clock): He is 1 and a half miles behing Neville and John, who are starting heir 100 mile run. "It wouldbe nice to have fresh legs again like them" comments Hanno. Sorry for not updating it for the last time, an accidental shutdown and not knowing the password caused this.

Weedon Bridge(4 o'clock): Hanno has just had a cup-a-soup and says that if the ground is good and even, running feels good, but as soon as it starts to become uneven, running gets harder. He is running slower now and is getting near the slow end of his target zone again.

Some added thoughts while running: Mark Creasey called him at 53 miles which was a "welcome disturbance". He is fifteenth and according to one official, Hanno says, there is a group of runners within spitting distance(22 min) "Must be a spitting champion!" The wind is very changeable and especially strong in the face, but nice when coming from behind.

Stoke Bruerne: I'm afraid Hanno has decided to retire  because as he was receiving too much pain from his right knee and didn't want to risk ruining his whole racing season.